Moving to England after leaving once. How was it?

Hello. I am thinking of moving back to England after being away for 3 years. I was there for about 2.5 years and loved it. We moved for many reasons, but I miss it and want to move back. I won't be moving to the same location and know that it won't be the same as the first time, but am hoping to hear from people who have lived in England or the UK, left and then returned. How was it? Did you miss the US then? Did you regret the move? I didn't miss the US at all when I first moved (although getting use the differences like the NHS took some effort!) and I did regret leaving pretty much right away although logically it was the right move. I just don't want to make a move to the England and then want to move back to the US again! Thanks.

Hello. I am thinking of moving back to England after being away for 3 years. I was there for about 2.5 years and loved it. We moved for many reasons, but I miss it and want to move back. I won't be moving to the same location and know that it won't be the same as the first time, but am hoping to hear from people who have lived in England or the UK, left and then returned. How was it? Did you miss the US then? Did you regret the move? I didn't miss the US at all when I first moved (although getting use the differences like the NHS took some effort!) and I did regret leaving pretty much right away although logically it was the right move. I just don't want to make a move to the England and then want to move back to the US again! Thanks.

Three years is not terribly long so you probably won't notice a huge difference.

Will you be coming on a spouse visa? If you are and were on the old rules last time, you'll notice a significant difference in the requirements and the process that exists now.

Three years is not terribly long so you probably won't notice a huge difference.

Will you be coming on a spouse visa? If you are and were on the old rules last time, you'll notice a significant difference in the requirements and the process that exists now.

Not a spouse visa. Looking back at rubydamselfly's posts, she was on a Tier 2 General visa before and her husband was her dependant. I assume she is after the same again? That visa has changed a lot if it's not a shortage occupation job..

Oh, that is good to hear that 3 years away may not be too long to notice a difference.

Yes, I will be going on a sponsored Tier 2 general visa. My field is too specific to be on the demand list so I understand they have to advertise the position in at least 2 positions and not find any other applicants etc. I am surprised the visa has changed. I can't say that I looked into it too much but it sounded like it wasn't that much different other than it will be 5 year visa instead of a 3 year visa. I will then apply for ILR and then citizenship. Can you tell me what else has changed?

Yes, I will be going on a sponsored Tier 2 general visa. My field is too specific to be on the demand list so I understand they have to advertise the position in at least 2 positions and not find any other applicants etc.

They have to advertise the job on two set UK sites, with set information i.e. the salary advertised must be in the advert and and must be the same as the CoS states (can't be advertised for less salary then the CoS states). If they don't do that RLMT correctly, then the CoS will be refused.

 

I am surprised the visa has changed.

Like everything else that changes things, it was too much abuse.

They can't pre-select anymore. Gone are the days of people saying they have a job and the RLMT just needs to be carried out for their visa. They also have to pay the new skills visa fee too if they want to bring in a foreign national.

UKVI can now ask for the CVs of all the applicants so that they can check if there was anyone who applied and who is allowed to work in the UK, who can do that job. UKVI have a rough idea how many suitable applicants will have applied and won't accept just a few of the applications being sent to them to try to hide the ones who can do that job.

HMRC do regular sweeps for UKVI. i.e. using their new(ish) RTI system, they can see if the visa holder is being paid the salary stated on their CoS.

All of those things will now likely trigger a visit by UKVI, as will other things where abuse of their licence is suspected i.e. issuing the wrong type of CoS: a sudden large pay rise/s over the last year or so, that means the employee will now meet the new minimum salary requriement for ILR, etc.

On their visit, it seems that UKVI look at all their records for everyone they have already sponsored and interview the staff. If they find abuse, then the sponsor will likely lose their sponsorship licence.

Looking at the number of posts on other forums from those who have lost their sponsor as their sponsor's licence was revoked, or those refused ILR for the large salary bump/s, it seems UKVI is stamping down on abuse. It's making all the sponsors follow their licence requirements, instead of just some doing that.

Can you tell me what else has changed?

I answered why and how it has changed, in the other thread. I know you saw it, but this is just in case others wanted to know too.