frustrated american, wanting in UK

When one country celebrates separation from another as a national holiday, I'd say expecting preferential treatment is a bit unrealistic.

Heheh! Well said.

There's a crapload of history between us since then.

There's a crapload of history between us since then.

Word, I guess the whole keeping the UK from starving before and during WWII, and coming to their rescue militarily in WWI and WWII must have slipped the mind.

I would go with an earlier poster that stated the mass migration of EU nationals being an issue for the UK, and present the same story on the US side with Mexico and now India/China. The US and the UK are probably the most "migrated to" countries in the world, so it would make sense that they would not make it a cake walk for residents of the other country to make the leap.

Like two neighbors with mansions, "why are you always trying to come over here? don't you have your OWN pool". haha.

Word, I guess the whole keeping the UK from starving before and during WWII, and coming to their rescue militarily in WWI and WWII must have slipped the mind.

By that blinkered reasoning, Germans and Japanese shouldn't be allowed at all as a matter of policy, while red carpet should be rolled out to any and all Russians. And of course, US should right-this-minute grant citizenship to the French.

We're two different countries. We started out together and our histories have diverged. Our economies are separate, our foreign policy is only superficially aligned (when not completely at odds,) it's not like the mutually dependent relationship UK has with the rest of Europe. With all due sympathy to Syntax's situation, I'm not really seeing why people think US and UK should have some kind of special, super-friendly immigration relationship. I mean, we already get plenty of breaks as is, even without anything being specifically codified.

Believe me, coming from a country no one coddles (it is equally hard for me to reside/work in US, UK, and most other countries of the world) I am in full agreement.

But celebrating kicking the red coats out is just as dumb a reason for not coddling the opposite citizens, as is the assistance and longstanding ally relationship between countries is for coddling the opposite citizens.

If you dismiss one dismiss the other, if you revel in one, revel in the other, they are both central to the story of the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.

But Syntax seems to think that the immigration policy is needlessly punitive towards Americans. That is pretty clearly not the case in either policy or practice.

But Syntax seems to think that the immigration policy is needlessly punitive towards Americans. That is pretty clearly not the case in either policy or practice.

Very true...or he may think that as an American he has the 'right' to move, live & work wherever in the world that he may wish to. The 'entitled American' attitude is often visible when the 'typical' American tourist that goes abroad expecting everyone to speak English just because they do and not even bothering to attempt to learn the local language and then have the audacity to be irritated and offended when someone doesn't speak English.

Those immigrant workers in the UK right now are here either 1) because of the EU or 2) because they earned it through education and hard work...It seems to me that Syntax is looking for the 'easy way' to get a free pass of immigration rules because he's an American. This is something that is a common world perception of Americans, that they want special treatment and in this case it seems (to me) to be accurate. Fortunately in UK visas we are treated just like everyone else.

I have to confess I have some sympathy for Syntax's point, albeit from a slightly different direction.  I teach English to speakers of other languages, and because of the EU, I am effectively closed off from working in Europe.  EU countries would prefer (and indeed in some cases are required) to avoid immigration hassle and hire only British teachers (or proficient English speakers from other EU countries).  The only exception to this rule is Prague, and the English schools there are exploitative and borderline illegal in their recruitment practises, as I learned to my detriment.  If it weren't for the EU, I could easily get a job anywhere in Europe.  Even though I understand the reasoning behind the laws, it's hard not to feel a bit put upon when your colleagues are able to pop around the continent, doing six months in Italy then six in Poland then six in Spain, etc, and you don't have that freedom because of your nationality.  Whinge, whinge, I know, and I know a lot of other countries' nationals have it a lot worse, but I do understand where Syntax is coming from.

historyenne - I agree it can be frustrating...I checked into all other routes to be able to move here without resorting to a spouse visa, but in the end it was all I qualified for and it turned out to be right for hubby & I...but it is what it is and I honestly believe that getting worked up over it is pointless, but to say to yourself 'OK, what do I need to do to make myself eligible' and set a course of action, rather that saying that the system is punitive to Americans.

You'll be able to hop around the continent teaching just as soon as you have that pretty scarlet passport  

Word, I guess the whole keeping the UK from starving before and during WWII, and coming to their rescue militarily in WWI and WWII must have slipped the mind.

Yeah, based upon WWII, they should be much better friends to the US.  Like France is for example.    

Seriously peeps, letting boys and girls play house isn't very high on either country's agenda for using the 'special relationship'.  

Yeah, based upon WWII, they should be much better friends to the US.  Like France is for example.    

Hey the French are a special case, as always  .

historyenne - I agree it can be frustrating...I checked into all other routes to be able to move here without resorting to a spouse visa, but in the end it was all I qualified for and it turned out to be right for hubby & I...but it is what it is and I honestly believe that getting worked up over it is pointless, but to say to yourself 'OK, what do I need to do to make myself eligible' and set a course of action, rather that saying that the system is punitive to Americans.

You'll be able to hop around the continent teaching just as soon as you have that pretty scarlet passport  

I wouldn't call it pointless exactly. After all, changes to immigration policy do start with thinking about immigration policy, and maybe if there are real legitimate fresh ideas on change in immigration relationship between the US and UK, in distant future, it might turn into policy. However, as garry said, putting US on equal (or better) footing than the EU is unlikely (read: impossible) so any kind of reworking would pretty much have to start from there. But as I said, it would have to begin with interesting and new ideas on why this would be beneficial to both countries.

I think most people who've never had to look into immigration assume people with no criminal background who can support themselves can move around the Western world more or less for the asking. I don't blame them for thinking that; it probably ought to be that way. Certainly the rules have become MUCH stricter of late between some countries, while relaxing away to practically nothing inside the EU.

Why would someone who hadn't been touched by the system be aware of that?

Ok, well this thread had more replies then i orginally thought..... Thanks for feedback, ill keep this short as i am very tired. Some of you are a bit harsh though, as im a typical american thinking everyone should bend over backwards for me...no.

I am not saying we should do anything we want, but being close allies with the UK, i just thought it be nice to have some kind of agreement for at least the youth like the YMS tier 5 scheme. if not permanent, a taste, experience. Before the new immigration point system went into affect, there was at least Bunac's work in britain.

Sure id like an easy way in, at least temporarily, im young, and i met a lovely girl over there bout a year ago. whats wrong with me wanting to be closer to her, living somewhere i  happen to enjoy, feeling frustrated when it seems at least from my point of view were one of the few being blocked from such a thing.

Word, I guess the whole keeping the UK from starving before and during WWII, and coming to their rescue militarily in WWI and WWII must have slipped the mind.

A massively oversimplified version of history that isn't really true, but why let nuanced historical information get in the way of the view you want to hold?

I don't think it should be any easier for Americans than anyone else to qualify for visas, though I have often dreamed of the Queen giving individuals the chance to renounce independence and re-swear allegiance!