moving to England

My husband is applying for Ph.D. programs in England.  We are wondering if anyone knows...can I work if he is in England on a student visa?  In the U.S., spouses are not allowed to work.  It is essential that I work (we have 3 kids!) or we wouldn't be able to afford to make the move.

Gosh American girl I wish I had some answers.  I think you might be able to but I am not sure of the process to do so.

I too am a PhD student but I am married to a UK citizen so our situations are a bit different.

I hope you find someone that can provide an answer for you.

vnicepeeps,

Thanks for responding!  Do you think I should post the question on another thread or subject title?

 

You might try our Visas board in Moving & Immigration, someone there might be able to help-or the Student Lounge as well.

Welcome to UKY!

I work for clients in the States, but I remember, even after Andrew and I got married and I got an extension on my passport, it was with the condition that I couldn't work in the UK, or receive benefits from the UK. Once I got the spouse visa to stay indefinitely, I was allowed to work here. I'm not sure about this, but I suspect you won't be allowed to work here unless you have a job lined up with a company located here before you move.

From the IND/Home Office website:

77. A person seeking leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as the spouse of a student or a prospective student may be admitted or allowed to remain for a period not in excess of that granted to the student or prospective student provided the Immigration Officer or, in the case of an application for limited leave to remain, the Secretary of State is satisfied that each of the requirements of paragraph 76 is met. Employment may be permitted where the period of leave granted to the student or prospective student is, or was, 12 months or more.

The bolded emphasis was added by me.

Bottom line - if your husband's student visa is for longer than 12 months, you as his spouse can work.

Peedal,

Thanks for that information!  At this point, getting over there at all seems like an impossibility, but even the responses I've received from you and others make all the difference.  Thanks a ton.

Americangirl,

One other thing that crossed my mind. Is he going to be a T.A. (teaching assistant) while he's here? In other words, will he get any subsidy while he's working on the Ph.D.? Also, is there anything you do workwise in the States that could translate to employment here (that is, is there anyone you could work for in the States, long distance?).

Suzanne