Completely Friggin Confused

 

Alright, I may be in bonehead mode right now, but I am so confused about the whole visa/work permit thing. My situation is I'm moving to the UK to be with my boyfriend-we're not engaged yet, so the settlement, fiance visa is out of the question. I just want to know, which comes first, the visa or the work permit? I'm finding all these places that say they want proof of being able to work in the UK before they'll consider me as an applicant. Maybe it's the fact that I research this stuff at night, and then do it for hours on end, and my brain just can't handle the binging. Maybe I'm just clueless altogether, but I just want to know what the heck I'm supposed to do! 

What kind of work are you hoping to get?  If you have a profession that is critically needed in the UK, there are agencies that will take care of getting you a visa.  Work permits are for jobs that can't be filled by advertising for UK residents or EEU residents.

What kind of visa will you have?  Visitors can't work.  Hell, you can't even look for work!  If you are coming over with a visa that allows you to work,  apply when you get there.

Yup - you have to be offered a job by the UK company before you can get a work permit and thus an entry clearance to work and stay in the UK.  Unless you have a skill that someone in the UK or EU can't fulfill then you won't get the work permit.  If you are coming over to just visit your boyfriend, you can't work.  Unless you have a spouse visa or a work permit/entry clearance, then you can't work.  Unfortunately that's how it works.  So please, don't plan on just coming over here to stay with your bf and try to find work - it won't happen...and even if you did find a company that would be willing to sponsor you for a work permit, you'd have to go back to the US in order to apply for the entry clearance (the company hiring you have to do the work to get the work permit).  It's not easy to stay in the UK...you have to have a really good reason to be here (marriage, partnership or work are three that come to mind).

 I had no real intentions of moving until I have work. That'd be asking for it as far as I'm concerned. But, I'm looking for nanny/childcare work. That's what I'm doing now in the States. I'm taking time off, trying to move there, because his mom is really ill. After a bit, I was planning on moving back to finish up college here. I realize that I need to get entry clearance to go there to work, and I can't get there and OH! decide I want to stay and work!! I'm just confused as what is on the shortage list, how to go about certain things regarding the visa, considering I can't go as an aupair-stupid common language- and all that jazz.

Here's a good website for information on the visas that might be available to you:

http://www.britainusa.com/visas/visas.asp

Do be aware that what you need is a visa, not an entry clearance.  That comes later.   

The easiest thing for you would be if you could come over here as a student.  Otherwise, it sounds like it might be quite difficult for you to get any other kind of visa at the moment. 

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HMSP) does attempt to help fill shortages, and although I'm sure there are parents here who will tell you that we are short of good nannys and childminders in this country, unfortunatley this won't qualify under the HMSP because it is not considered a "highly skilled" line of work.  The criteria for HMSP is found on the site link above if you want to read about it. 

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HMSP) does attempt to help fill shortages, and although I'm sure there are parents here who will tell you that we are short of good nannys and childminders in this country, unfortunatley this won't qualify under the HMSP because it is not considered a "highly skilled" line of work.  The criteria for HMSP is found on the site link above if you want to read about it. 

Also, since Eastern Europe has joined the EU, childcare/au pair/nanny work is available to people from these nations and they don't need a work permit.  To add to that, young people from Commonwealth countries like Australia and Canada commonly take up childcare work as working holiday makers. 

Also, since Eastern Europe has joined the EU, childcare/au pair/nanny work is available to people from these nations and they don't need a work permit.  To add to that, young people from Commonwealth countries like Australia and Canada commonly take up childcare work as working holiday makers. 

Is it possible she has HSMP confused with SBS?   

Is it possible she has HSMP confused with SBS?   

That could be.  I frequent a parenting forum, and there are loads of Eastern European nationals now here working in childcare and as au pairs now, w/the added bonus of improving their language skills. 

girly i am in the same boat... i'm trying to get a job in london as a graphic designer but no one will hire................... IT BLOWS!... it's the work permit thingy