help i'm new and lost

Hello out there
I'm hoping that there is someone out there who can help me. First of all how do you use this site. I've never done the chat room/forum thing and am not sure how to just get a message out there? So, here's my story...hope someone is listening. This month will be 2 years since I met the wonderful brit-boy. I've just finished a four month study abroad session in spain and am now completely and totally done with university. I have 2 degrees collecting dust as i sit here in England. The stamp in my passport says i can stay for 6 months as long as i don't work. Well, i need to work and i would like to stay longer if i can. THis is not my first time to england...we've been doing this for two years now. He is in his first year of teaching and well...i'm at an in between point so it only makes sense that i chill here until we decid what's next. I'm losing hope. Is there anyway I can change my status to get a work permit....even if it is only for the 6 month duration? Customs did give me a little bit of an interrogation (i have lots of stamps from england already).  I just think that if i leave we will be done. I'm really tired and don't know how much more my heart can take! someone out there has to understand.....  Any help or advice would be fabulous. It appears to be that since i'm already in the country there is not much i can do. Say it aint so!!

the worried american bird

Hello AmericanBird, and welcome to the site!

You say that you've just finished a four month study abroad session... was this done through an American university?  If so, you will probably be eligable for a BUNAC visa which will allow you to live & work in the UK for up to six months (see http://www.bunac.org).  If you've already been to the UK using the BUNAC scheme, be aware that the rules have recently changed and U.S. students can now go to the UK through BUNAC twice (for six months each time).  Unfortunately, it would probably mean a trip back home to organise the BUNAC permit, but their processing times are quite quick.

You say that you've been "doing this for two years now".  If you and your boyfriend have been living together for two years, with no more than six months spent apart during those two years, then getting an Unmarried Partner visa may be an option.  See http://ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/applying/general_caseworking/unmarried_partners.html? .  This can be applied for while you are in the UK (although they prefer you to apply from outside the UK).

Hope this helps!

Sara.

D'oh!  Just saw your other post... should've added my response to that