Quite discouraged :/

I've wanted to move to England all my life but for one reason or another never took it very seriously. I'm creeping up on 40 and have made some nice friends in the UK and at a place where I'm able to let go of things here and head off to the UK to live.

Unfortunately I am learning in a very short time that such an idea is practically impossible. I've checked over that list of jobs the UK will let you in for and I dont qualify for any of them. The closest is social worker but doubt my bachelor's and a couple relevant jobs would be enough.

I would like to go back to school but even still there's no guarantees I could stay afterwards. Though it would be nice to be there for a few years rather than none at all I would like to think that there is more possibility than I am realizing.

Feeling pretty down about it, is there any hope?

Welcome to the forum .

I would like to go back to school but even still there's no guarantees I could stay afterwards. Though it would be nice to be there for a few years rather than none at all I would like to think that there is more possibility than I am realizing.

Feeling pretty down about it, is there any hope?

Don't be so discouraged - your going back to school plan sounds pretty good to me, and there's definitely hope for that.

Studying for another degree in the UK would give you a chance to live in the UK for a couple of years... and if you have a degree from a UK university and are still in the UK on a valid Tier 4 student visa, you can qualify for a Tier 2 work visa without having to meet the difficult requirements.

In order to be sponsored for a Tier 2 General work visa, normally you have to meet one of these 2 requirements:

1) The job is listed on the Tier 2 Skills Shortage List

or

2) The job isn't on the Skills Shortage List, but the UK company has advertised the job across the UK and all other EU countries and hasn't been able to find a suitable candidate in Europe... so in that case they can hire you (this is called passing the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT)

However, if a candidate has a degree from a UK university and is still in the UK on a valid Tier 4 visa, they don't have to meet either 1) or 2)... because their UK degree is enough to allow them to qualify for Tier 2 sponsorship.

So, if you can get accepted to a UK university, and you have the funds available for the visa (1 year of international tuition (about £15,000) plus 9 months of living costs of either £1,265 per month if you will be living in London or £1,015 per month outside of London), you could come to the UK as a student for a year or two, then see if you could qualify for a Tier 2 visa to stay.

Hi,

Excellent advice and things to look into as per usual from KSand above!

You can always visit a couple of times a year and use your time here to check things out you've read about, want to see for yourself etc.

Another 'way' over is to find yourself someone nice to marry ! many members here have come over this way.

Other ways include investing in the country and opening up a business
http://www.workpermit.com/uk/tier-1-visas-entrepreneurs.htm

Check that site and others for more information on potential ways of staying here in the UK including this forum/site !

Overall, and this is something only you can decide on, I'd suggest you evaluate very seriously about what motivates you and why you'd like to come to the UK, for you. Everyone is different of course, however I will point out that I've met many many people who say similar things and once they seriously go through their own evaluations, decide then not to try and make the move. I've known others who then will make the move. I've also met many people with the same two outcomes as above for wanting to go to the USA, and Canada. The biggest criteria for each of these scenario's was 'financing'. This included things like job prospect and realistic salary levels, cost of living , standard of living evaluations.

On a higher level, the next few years for the UK will be economically 'bumpy'. Job security, economic uncertainty, political and constitutional uncertainty are currently looking worse or potentially worse.

Good luck !

Cheers, DtM!West London & Slough UK!

On a higher level, the next few years for the UK will be economically 'bumpy'. Job security, economic uncertainty, political and constitutional uncertainty are currently looking worse or potentially worse.

Impending Chinese collapse.....oil/commodities crash....

But will it be any better in the US?

Impending Chinese collapse.....oil/commodities crash....

But will it be any better in the US?

Yes, it will be 'better' in the USA. There's no uncertainty the USA is going to break up it's member states, oil production is enjoying a good revival in terms of potential extraction and the USA always will enjoy a higher standard of living, higher quality of life and a lower cost of living in direct comparison indices.

There's still big issues there as well and it'll also be 'bumpy', however the UK will be 'bumpier' !

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Yes, it will be 'better' in the USA. There's no uncertainty the USA is going to break up it's member states, oil production is enjoying a good revival in terms of potential extraction and the USA always will enjoy a higher standard of living, higher quality of life and a lower cost of living in direct comparison indices.

There's still big issues there as well and it'll also be 'bumpy', however the UK will be 'bumpier' !

I have taken your points into consideration.

I always like to watch House Hunters International when back in the US, especially when the people are moving to the UK or other EU country.  I know the show is about real estate, but I am always amazed by the people who are looking for a flat or house and then -- oh, I'll find a job.  There was one recently on a US French teacher who wanted to move to Lyon so just rolled up.  They said he eventually got a job teaching at an international school.   

I always like to watch House Hunters International when back in the US, especially when the people are moving to the UK or other EU country.  I know the show is about real estate, but I am always amazed by the people who are looking for a flat or house and then -- oh, I'll find a job.  There was one recently on a US French teacher who wanted to move to Lyon so just rolled up.  They said he eventually got a job teaching at an international school.   

Luckily the OP is doing her research and has come to the right place for advice. 

I know what you mean though! There are equivalents here. Wanted Down Under springs to mind and there is one show (the name escapes me) which visits the US from time to time.  Very little or no reference is made to the whole visa situation.

Thanks to everyone It's funny to think that the simplest way of getting in might be through marriage. That seems to be the doorway into America for many, so much so it's a joke. Yet from what I've been reading even that is tough in the UK, including a required minimum income for the the fiancee in the UK (seems a little unfair).

But, I've just read all these replies, and I haven't given up yet! Hopefully I wont have to get married to come over, but who knows.

Yet from what I've been reading even that is tough in the UK, including a required minimum income for the the fiancee in the UK (seems a little unfair).

It's even tougher than it used to be, because the UK government is trying to find any way they can to reduce immigration to the UK... so by introducing a fairly high minimum income requirement, they are preventing a fair number of people from being able to qualify (especially in cases where the UK fiance or spouse is a stay-at-home parent).

The idea is that the UK sponsor has to show they are able to support their foreign spouse without having to claim any UK public funds from the government - and £18,600 per year is the amount above which they wouldn't be able to qualify for a lot of public funds. However, once the foreign spouse is in the UK with permission to work, their UK income can be combined with their partner's to meet the requirement for their next visas.

But, I've just read all these replies, and I haven't given up yet! Hopefully I wont have to get married to come over, but who knows.

I'm sure you'll find a way - going back to school would probably be your easiest option, if you can manage the funds to pay for it.

And of course, no one's suggesting you should find someone to marry just to get a visa . It would need to be a completely genuine relationship... more for cases in which someone from the US falls in love with someone who happens to be from the UK, and they wish to be able to make a life together in either the US or the UK.

I don't think I could ever bring myself to marry someone, even a very good friend, just to move anyways Understandable about the income requirement where it concerns public monies.

So looks like I will keep chipping at school options, thanks!

Luckily the OP is doing her research and has come to the right place for advice. 

Indeed!