hiring laws for those on spouse visas?

Hi all,

I've read through a bunch of threads here, but I'm still a bit confused about hiring laws, etc.  My boyfriend has a job offer in the UK and we are deciding whether making the move is feasible.  If we go, we would get married quickly before applying for visas (we are both American).  My understanding is that if he gets a work permit, I can get a spouse visa and not have any trouble moving with him. 

My main concern is whether I'll be able to find work.  I had read elsewhere that companies can only offer a job to an American if they can prove that there is no one in the entire EU who is able and willing to do the job.  I also heard that even if you are very well qualified, companies tend to be very reluctant to do the necessary paperwork.  This made me worry that I wouldn't be able to find anything, even if I was not at all picky about the type of job.  Is this true??  I saw a bunch of posts on other threads saying it's not that hard to find something, so I really don't know what to believe!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

If you are married to a UK citizen, and have a spouse visa or leave to remain in the UK as a spouse, you can work at any job in the UK, just like a UK citizen. The restrictions do not apply to you.

However, I do not understand what you mean about 'getting married right away'? Are you in the UK or the US?  If you are both in the US, you can get married in the US and then get a spousal visa at the British consulate in the US.  But you cannot come to the UK in order to get married and then live in the UK without getting a UK fiance visa first.

We are both American, both currently living in the US.  If he accepts the offer, we would get married in the US before applying for visas. 

I'm sure there are other people on spouse visas who have had this question - I'd love to hear from you!

Copied from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website (http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/en/homepage/work_permits/frequently_asked_questions.html?):

"I am a work permit holder, can my spouse work in the UK?

The spouse, unmarried partner and children of a work permit holder may be admitted to the United Kingdom as the dependants of a work permit holder. The spouse/unmarried partner will be given conditions of stay, which do not place any restrictions, other than those that would apply to a resident worker, on their taking employment or engaging in business.

Therefore, a dependant of a work permit holder is free to work in the UK as long as the endorsement in their passport places no restriction on their employment here."
Sounds like you can, but you should contact your local consulate or the embassy to speak to someone there to clarify this. I don't know if the type of permit your boyfriend/fiancee has or if it is restricted in any way as that may restrict your options. Better  to find out from the official channels before you go and save an embarrassing situation later.

Hope that helps

I had read elsewhere that companies can only offer a job to an American if they can prove that there is no one in the entire EU who is able and willing to do the job.  I also heard that even if you are very well qualified, companies tend to be very reluctant to do the necessary paperwork. 

These stories generally come from people who want to come over from the US and work without some sort of work visa, settlement or attachment to the UK. Since your boyfriend already has an offer for the UK, he will be granted a work permit if he accepts the job and receives visa clearance. If married, and no restrictions are put on your future husband's work permit, your passport will also have something indicating you are able to work. I don't know the specifics on what this is called or looks like or what paperwork you need to do but there are a few people in this forum who have gone down this road with their American partners.

Looking for a job in the UK after settling here is more optimistic than hunting for one in the UK from the US. You will have a UK address, you can go on face to face interviews, apply with recruiting agencies, etc.  Finding a good job will vary from your work experience, education, location etc. That's where some of the challenge comes in. Be persistent and open minded.

Ask the UK authorities about what you need to do... and good luck!!

I have been in the UK for 15 months on a spouse visa. It took me several months to find work initially because I didnt know how to get started or where to go, but I have been working steadily with the exception of a couple of months. I have a BA and MPA and was on a career track in the US before moving to the UK. Initially, I was trying to get a similar job to the one I had in the States, but then decided to just get a job. It has been my experience that there are lots of contracting/temporary positions available and they pay pretty good too. I really dont think that you will have a problem getting a job here regardless of your qualifications.