Why i left the US

Thanks for your help. I actually do feel like a complete moron now because of all this stuff.

Knowledge is power. And as an immigrant you're responsible for knowing exactlly what your visa means and what you have to do to stay and what to do if things change.

Have a read over this & associated pages: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general/

it tells you about your visa, how to extend it when the time comes and how to apply for ILR (permanent residency). Be aware that you need to check it regularly as rules change CONSTANTLY and the 'I didn't know' excuse does not work with immigration officials.

Also be aware that your premature application for Citizenship may cause you immigration issues down the line and will have to be declared on any future visa & Naturalisation applications. So make sure that you hold onto the Refusal Notice when you receive it.

Don't feel like a moron Brownale, it's great that you love it here so much and have had such a positive experience.  Chalk up the naturalization fee to experience (assuming you've already paid it) and learn from it.

Thanks for your help. I actually do feel like a complete moron now because of all this stuff.

It is pretty astounding that someone could be so completely uninformed about the laws of the country he wants to have make him a citizen .

But never mind that, now, chalk it up to a very expensive lesson about the importance of research and not getting carried away on the winds of romance.  We're always glad to have an anglophile on UKY, so stick around and we will keep you informed about all the visa changes that will affect you, and any family you have who might be interested in moving over.  The most important thing to take out of this is that immigration is never easy.  But UKY does make it easier.

What part of Iowa are you from?  We have a number of forum members from there.  Being from there, then you know there aren't any 'sandy deserts and crappy beach resorts' in sight, in Iowa.  Lots of corn though.  

Unlike us,Brits dont use our landscape to rake in money,they use it more to boast about their stunning country...

Have you seen this thread?

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=67335.0

And sadly, with the government that we have in power here now, along with potentially sweeping immigration changes & the forest issue (and a lot of other things), the NHS as we know it presently may not exist some time from now.  

They use it to boast and rake in money.  Or do you think they are putting out pictures of mountains in tourist publications so people won't come?  Having hiked across Scotland on both the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way I can confirm that many of the forestry practices (as the former Wildland firefighter that I am) would never fly in the US.

But then the two countries are so different in the aspect that they are almost impossible to compare.  For instance the concept of wilderness areas does not exist in the UK as they do in the US.  The UK is just too small.  There are no area where absolutely no mechanised equipment is allowed to be used by Federal Law in the UK (ok, there is no federal government here).  There is nothing like realising that you have to hump in 25 pounds of gear 10 miles and then trim and cut trees and maintain miles of trails with hand tools.  No chainsaws, nothing that runs, only hand saws and loppers and no ride in or out.  

The UK raped its native woodland ages before the US was a glimmer in the royals' eyes. That is one the reasons they wanted the US, trees for masts.  You can still go to New England and find trees marked with the King's Arrow, a mark showing that the tree was owned by crown.

This is also why so there are so many more older/historic houses in the UK.  After all, the US native population was around for a long time, but they built things out of the easiest materials available, wood.  As did the settlers. Something that people in England didn't have access to.

Stone.  It lasts a long time.

the NHS as we know it presently may not exist some time from now.  

 

A Carolyn, what is this the Monday morning blues?

If we read in the newspapers that a huge iceberg may hit Birmingham should we take notice? Do you get my drift?

I think people have mentioned on here about the depressing stories that are run in the Daily Mail and probably some other publications but we don't have to read them.

A Carolyn, what is this the Monday morning blues? ... Do you get my drift?

Jim, you should know by now that I'm a Guardian reader. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jan/20/andrew-lansley-health-bill

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2011/jan/31/nhs-reforms-poll-tax

It's a real concern over here & a lot of people don't agree that it'll be change for the better, if it goes through.  But that's really for another thread altogether to get into it at length.

Hi there Brownale!  As a fellow Iowan (born and bred in Des Moines), I understand your happiness to be out of there.  I know I watched every English programme on Iowa PBS and once out never thought I'd consider going back to the US.  But one of the best things about being in the UK is when you do qualify for citizenship, you can be a Britican like many of us are!  It gives you loads more options just in case life changes or perhaps your family can't move over as easily as you thought. After 5 years here, I do see things a lot different, so allow yourself to grow and change as the experience of living here changes you, because it will.  Glad you're really enjoying it though! 

It is pretty astounding that someone could be so completely uninformed about the laws of the country he wants to have make him a citizen .

But never mind that, now, chalk it up to a very expensive lesson about the importance of research and not getting carried away on the winds of romance.  We're always glad to have an anglophile on UKY, so stick around and we will keep you informed about all the visa changes that will affect you, and any family you have who might be interested in moving over.  The most important thing to take out of this is that immigration is never easy.  But UKY does make it easier.

Yeah Thanks,wont do that again!!!

What part of Iowa are you from?  We have a number of forum members from there.  Being from there, then you know there aren't any 'sandy deserts and crappy beach resorts' in sight, in Iowa.  Lots of corn though.  

Have you seen this thread?

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=67335.0

And sadly, with the government that we have in power here now, along with potentially sweeping immigration changes & the forest issue (and a lot of other things), the NHS as we know it presently may not exist some time from now.  

My personal opinion of this issue is that the forest issure is unlikely to happen. 84% of the public oppose these plans,and what Cameron is forgetting is that many tory MP's or voters will own private forestry,and i doubt they will give it up. The bill in Wales and Scotland was rejected,and even if it goes ahead,the National Trust has promised to buy as much of it as it can. As for the NHS,we will have to wait and see,but if it is privatised,it will be the death of the Conservative party,but there will be a huge uprising if this occurs,he would be wise to tread carefully...