American looking to move to the London area.

Hi every one, I am a 23 yr old American woman looking to move to the London area in August/September of 2014. I've been told that it is very difficult to move so I am taking this time to save money (I've been told at least $10,000 in order to obtain a visa), research my options, and look for work. I am a freelance makeup artist so really I kind of work for myself although I do work for MAC Cosmetics as well. I know it's difficult to emigrate but I am determined to do it. It's been frustrating so far because a lot of people just tell me "it's really difficult" and almost tell me to not even bother instead of giving me information that I can actually use. I know it's difficult but it is not impossible and people are doing it because this website exists.

Any guidance would be loved! Thank you!
-Alexandra

Money really isn't the issue. UKBA does require some money, but unless you're talking investment-level amounts, they're not terribly interested in it.

The issue is the tightening of immigration policy, which makes it almost impossible for non-EEA migrants to come to the UK and work.

If you are determined to emigrate, you do need to be realistic about your prospects. Makeup artists are not on the Tier 2 shortage list, so any company that wishes to employ you must prove there is no one else in the entire EU who can do your job. That is called the labour market test, and it is an absolute -- employers cannot get around this requirement. Without seriously specialized skills (i.e., you work for a major celebrity and are coming over as part of their entourage, etc.), you are going to find the path very difficult indeed.

People are telling you this is very difficult because it is the truth. For a makeup artist? Yes, it is going to be nearly impossible. Here are the guidelines -- I don't think there's much room for a makeup artist in there: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/tier2/general/eligibility/

You really need to have a look at the UKBA's Tier 2 guidelines to see just how getting a visa for employment works. It is not impossible if you are a degreed professional with years of experience in your field and a high income to boot, but for a makeup artist the case is much, much more grim.

I am literally in tears over reading this. I am literally trying so hard. It's been my dream to move and I've been saving and working hard to establish myself for years. It's just so frustrating. This is absolutely ridiculous. I have no criminal record, I work hard, I am not on welfare, I am going about things legally and honestly. I carry a college degree, speak English fluently. It's just so frustrating. There has to be a way I can do it even if I go over and do makeup on the side.

You can go as a student.  You have to go full time and pay international fees but it is possible.  You can work 20 hrs a week while in school also.

I am literally in tears over reading this. I am literally trying so hard. It's been my dream to move and I've been saving and working hard to establish myself for years. It's just so frustrating. This is absolutely ridiculous. I have no criminal record, I work hard, I am not on welfare, I am going about things legally and honestly. I carry a college degree, speak English fluently. It's just so frustrating. There has to be a way I can do it even if I go over and do makeup on the side.

It is frustrating, but unfortunately, it's the way things are at the moment... and because the UK is having so many problems with immigration right now, the rules are likely to only get tighter and harder to meet in the future (i.e. in order for people on a Tier 2 work visa to qualify for permanent residence, they must live in the UK for 5 years and be earning at least £35,000 per year... and the average individual salary in the UK is £26,000, while make-up artists tend to earn between £15,000 and £25,000).

Have you considered coming to the UK to study instead? Perhaps you could find a  course in either the make-up field, or something similar that you could get a student visa for? If you do a course at bachelors level or above, then you should be able to work up to 20 hours per week during term-time (full-time during university vacations).

The student visa route is expensive though, as you need to have access to at least a year of tuition fees (international university fees in the UK are about £10,000 to £15,000 per year) and a minimum of £7,200 in living costs (£9,000 in Inner London) before you can get a visa.

Also, if you have a degree from a UK university, it can be easier to qualify for a Tier 2 work visa after graduation, as you don't need to pass the 'resident labour market test'.

I've already gone to college and obtained my bachelors degree. School for makeup artists is essentially pointless. I know half the crap they teach unless we're talking about special effects makeup. I can't afford a student visa. I can't afford to go to college AGAIN. Going to school in America is expensive enough that I'll have student loans my entire life.

I work for MAC Cosmetics. I'm wondering if I can do an intra-company transfer. I hope at least, I mean. I've been working for them for over a year.

-Alexandra

Would you be able to take a long vacation, maybe a leave of absence from work to travel around the UK for a few months or so?  Maybe you could make mini 'pilgrimmages' to make-up studios, photo shoots, film sets, etc. as an observer (sorry I don't know much about the industry!) and maybe just immerse yourself in it and learn more?  It would need some research, but I imagine you could really get some inspiration from it all, learn something, and see a bit of the UK as well.  You could stay in hostels to cut back on expenses.

Several years ago I was hell-bent on wanting to move to Ireland.  I decided to travel around Ireland with my fiddle, stay in hostels, learn what I could and just soak it all in.  I had a fantastic time *and* I ended up meeting my husband.  He's British and we now live in Leeds.  I'm not saying you'll end up meeting a man or that you should go for that reason (I didn't).  Go for yourself, but you never know what could happen...

I work for MAC Cosmetics. I'm wondering if I can do an intra-company transfer. I hope at least, I mean. I've been working for them for over a year.

The only thing with an intra-company transfer is that you have to be moving to a position in the UK branch that can't be filled by a member of the UK resident workforce (i.e. a UK or EU citizen)

You would also need to be earning at least £40,000 in the UK to qualify for a long-term ICT visa, or £24,000 for a short-term ICT visa.

Tier 2 ICT: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/tier2/ict/

Well, like I said. I'm saving at least $10,000 so if I go with a visitor's visa and the sign up to every makeup studio and maybe take in bridal clients on the side to "build my portfolio" I mean, half my income now is "tips" and then also hit up the singles areas.

Well, like I said. I'm saving at least $10,000 so if I go with a visitor's visa and the sign up to every makeup studio and maybe take in bridal clients on the side to "build my portfolio" I mean, half my income now is "tips" and then also hit up the singles areas.

Unfortunately, it will be illegal for you to do this if you are only a visitor in the UK.

You cannot do any work, paid or unpaid, for a UK or US company, in person or online, while you are in the UK on a visitor visa, and you cannot take tips, as this will be considered working illegally in the UK (even something as innocent as babysitting for a friend or volunteering in a charity shop is considered 'work' for the purpose of immigration). You would need a visa that allowed you to work in the UK in order to sign up to make-up studios and take on clients.

You would need a visa that allowed you to work in the UK in order to sign up to make-up studios and take on clients.

That's why I had the suggestion of visiting studios, etc as an observer only.  You won't make any money doing this, but I'm sure you'd learn a lot and perhaps make new friends connections for the future. 

Well, like I said. I'm saving at least $10,000 so if I go with a visitor's visa and the sign up to every makeup studio and maybe take in bridal clients on the side to "build my portfolio" I mean, half my income now is "tips" and then also hit up the singles areas.

It would be illegal for any studio or individual to pay you for your services unless you are on the correct visa. Not only would it result in you being removed from the country, they would face prosecution and fines. This includes "on the side" clients.

I have no criminal record, I work hard, I am not on welfare, I am going about things legally and honestly. I carry a college degree, speak English fluently.

Unfortunately there's a large, home-grown talent pool that can say the same thing. Jobs aren't going spare here and with the pool for the labour market test including EU citizens, as they have the right to free movement, there aren't many fields that don't have a large pool of people just like you -- degreed, law-abiding, tax-paying, non-benefit-claiming people -- clamouring for employment.

Ask yourself why you want to move here.  If it's because you think the "grass is greener", or because you want to rediscover yourself, or you want to leave something behind, moving to the UK may not be the right answer for you, and it would be much easier and less risky to move States.   People end up here for all kinds of reasons: work, relationships, serendipity, education, etc.   Moving countries  is an adventure, but it's also filled with difficulties, especially if you no longer have a support structure.  When you see Americans just up an moving to Europe in films to discover themselves, I always chuckle to myself because they don't show all the redtape.  How do they get their visas?  It's just not like "Eat, Pray, Love". 

My suggestion is to find a constructive reason to come here such as taking some advanced make-up courses, or even just come for an extended holiday to the maximum allowed with a tourist visa.  Make some connections here.  Start now by joining some online groups to meet and interact with British people.  Feed your Anglophilia.     Make some connections, find a reason to visit regularly, and give it time.  Who knows what will develop in terms of visa opportunities over time. 

Good luck

If it were me, I'd take that pot of $10k, come over to London for at least 3 months (I would save a bit more than $10k for staying 6 months, imho) find a short term flatshare off gumtree.com in the neighborhood of your choice and just live there. Experience the place. Decide if it is for you!

I wish you the very best of luck, and yes, although it is very, very difficult to emigrate, you are still able to come to the UK for up to 6 months in a 1 year period. As long as you satisfy the requirements that you are not going to overstay (have a job/lease/mortgage etc back home) or take work illegally you can do what many people your age do - go traveling! I backpacked around western Europe at 24 and it changed my life.

Ask yourself why you want to move here.  If it's because you think the "grass is greener", or because you want to rediscover yourself, or you want to leave something behind, moving to the UK may not be the right answer for you, and it would be much easier and less risky to move States.   People end up here for all kinds of reasons: work, relationships, serendipity, education, etc.   Moving countries  is an adventure, but it's also filled with difficulties, especially if you no longer have a support structure.  When you see Americans just up an moving to Europe in films to discover themselves, I always chuckle to myself because they don't show all the redtape.  How do they get their visas?  It's just not like "Eat, Pray, Love". 

My suggestion is to find a constructive reason to come here such as taking some advanced make-up courses, or even just come for an extended holiday to the maximum allowed with a tourist visa.  Make some connections here.  Start now by joining some online groups to meet and interact with British people.  Feed your Anglophilia.     Make some connections, find a reason to visit regularly, and give it time.  Who knows what will develop in terms of visa opportunities over time. 

Good luck

This is excellent, excellent advice.  Well said, scrumfan. 

And also dels, who said to come for 6 months, enjoy yourself, etc. 

Moving countries isn't as easy as moving to a new state.  Sometimes you can't just live where you want to because you want to.  It sucks when you want to be somewhere you can't.