Colorado -> Bristol ... Self-sponsored (maybe) with loads of Q's! :))

Greetings all -

Brand new to the site, so am still poking around here - but read some of the other intros, and thought I'd do the same...

Am originally from Colorado and Texas, but now landed in Bristol (for the time being) - Currently trying to expand my business/company into the EU ... Wasn't originally planning to stay in the UK - but started dating someone - and you know how that goes

That said - am currently doing the self-sponsorship thing ... but meeting allot of resistance, not so much from UKBA, but from banks of all things! I'm leasing a flat from my partner of 3 years - and am trying to get on the voter poll via my Czech residency ... (fingers crossed) - and am currently banking with H**C in London ... but as I search for financing - be it auto, or business, or even a simple credit card - am running into allot of (understandable) resistance...

Anyway - I could prattle on for pages about different options we're looking at - Be it the entrepreneurial scheme - or the aforementioned self-sponsorship - or worst case, I can bite the bullet and take the plunge and go the spousal route - but really don't fancy not being able to legally work for 6 months... We do meet all the requirements - It's just more of a pride/ego thing for me (she's British national) ... and would rather not piggyback on her if at all possible.

So, as the n00b here - I guess my primary question is; what are American expats supposed to do to get lines of credit going here? When I opened my bank account in November 2012 - at least they were straight forward by telling me I'd have to be here for at least a year (min) before anyone would even look at me ... and with us (Yanks) not being part of the EU, the whole voter reg poll issue is yet another challenge... I seriously don't know how Americans live and work here? 

For those that have been fortunate enough to land a 'sponsored' gig via T2 ... May I ask how difficult that was? For if I cannot get the additional funding I need for my businesses... I may just have to chuck all that and go get a 9to5 gig... I do have 'the list' of 32,000 UK companies that will sponsor ppl - but have intentionally not looked into that all that much yet, as I've been so focused on my current job/work/position... But need to stay "legal" at all times ... (hey, I'm a "by the book" kinda guy:) 

So, any advice? Thoughts? We talked to a migration attorney yesterday - and now we're both kinda freaking out a bit after that call - as we learnt certain schemes are getting cut or reduced, if not eliminated - and have also heard the horror stories of ppl being stuck whilst waiting - either here - or like in BFE Germany...

Sorry for the long missive... I know there's 100 questions all bundled into one paragraph here - and I *will* sift thru the forum here looking for more - and see what others have to say - But any advice on these pressing topics, would be greatly appreciated Cheers!

BB

PS: Just got a call back on a loan app (business) whilst writing this, and the CSR was nice enough to tell me that until I've been here 3 years, I'll just keep getting knocked back - and that I'm wasting my time? I can't put my life on hold for 3 years - and certainly if a "Donald Trump" (which I'm not) - but if he rolled into town, I wonder if he'd have to wait 3 years too? Thanks

PSS: So I don't go creating a dozen other new posts - Please allow me to ask these 3 quick Q's as well... If anyone knows of a reputable company registration firm that is reasonably priced - that too would be greatly appreciated - Same goes for a good migration and tax attorney - as I need to sort all my options here legally... Lastly, us yanks are allowed 6 months every time we enter the UK (correct?) what happens when we leave for a few weeks back to the states? does that clock 'reset' or is it a cumulative type thing (sorry for all the Q's!!) Ta

What do you mean by "self sponsorship"?  To my knowledge no such thing exists.  There is the Tier 1 Entrepreneur (think that's what it's called) visa, but I believe you have to invest something like £200,000 into setting up a UK business??  We don't get that many people enquiring about that visa here, so not too sure of the requirements. 

Are you already in the UK, and if so on what visa? 

Are you a citizen of the Czech Republic?  Just being a "resident" won't be enough to get you on the electoral roll.  Technically you can't be resident in CZ and the UK at the same time. 

As far as credit goes, it is difficult to establish it.  Living and working here for a number of years is really the only way. 

Note you are also unable to work - paid or unpaid - as a visitor to the UK.

What do you mean by "self sponsorship"?  To my knowledge no such thing exists.  There is the Tier 1 Entrepreneur (think that's what it's called) visa, but I believe you have to invest something like £200,000 into setting up a UK business??  We don't get that many people enquiring about that visa here, so not too sure of the requirements.  

Are you already in the UK, and if so on what visa?  

Are you a citizen of the Czech Republic?  Just being a "resident" won't be enough to get you on the electoral roll.  Technically you can't be resident in CZ and the UK at the same time.  

As far as credit goes, it is difficult to establish it.  Living and working here for a number of years is really the only way.  

As a 'Director' of my company, I am allowed to set up shop here legally, and sponsor myself - Yes, it can and is being done - under a contractor scheme - Is rare ... but if you look around and see allot of Indian firms popping up, with fellow employees from India, odds are they've used this legal scheme... It's an option I'm looking at -

RE: Entrepreneurial Visa - Yes, that's what I'm applying for now - and that's fine and covered as we're a multi-million pound corporation... Not a problem to make that investment - but - if I cannot get lines of credit established in the UK ... then I can't wait 3 years to buy a car or house or get a credit card (again, bank said 1 yr - I can live with that off  my USA accounts - But this recent call - said 3 years - that's a totally different story) ...

RE Location: Yes, as said, I'm currently in Bristol living / using my visitors visa every 6 months - I travel allot to NZ, Eastern Europe and back to the States, so I'm assuming every time I depart LHR, the 'meter' gets reset and the 6 month clock starts again (I could be 100% totally wrong about that - hence the question)... Just trying to do things right.

RE: CZ ... Complex story - but in short, am incorporated there (s.r.o.) and have the right to live and work there for 2 years - then renewing... Am not a Czech citizen - am a Czech resident - which I'm legally allowed to be (USA, UK, CZ) as long as I don't apply for residency at any of those straight up... (or that's my understanding via my CZ migration attorney) - That said, we're not keen on staying in the Prague anymore - (which is why I said I wasn't really originally planning on staying in the UK) but the language barrier is proving more challenging than first thought (along with morals and business ethics that I'll not get into here) ... Digressing...

Either way- I've heard the electoral poll is not closely scrutinized - I'm not looking to vote - I'm just looking for way to get into 'the system' legally - and that was offered as an option... but I'm not a lawyer - Same goes with my NI Number registration - Till my business comes online - can't obtain that either...

RE: Credit - well, that was my main question and the main reason for posting here... I still don't get with all the yanks living here, how everyone survives with no lines of credit? I was able to get immediate accounts in NZ, Oz and CZ via banks and loan companies once they saw my work record and books (hence my 'Donald Trump' comment)

Thanks,

BB

Note you are also unable to work - paid or unpaid - as a visitor to the UK.

in the UK, for a UK company, that is 100% correct - But that does not preclude me from doing my USA job abroad...

Your status in CZ has nothing to do with your status in the UK.  If you're not a CZ citizen you can't be on the electoral roll in the UK.  The only benefit to being on the UK electoral roll is to prove you have a legal address here, so if you're a CZ resident that would actually count against you. 

Your business situation sounds complicated, and I'd suggest getting a lawyer to help you sort it out.  And FYI, a visitor visa prohibits work of any kind, even remotely for your own company.  If you're using a visitor visa to live and set up work in the UK that is technically illegal and it could cause problems for future visas.  That said, if you're going to be pouring millions of pounds into the UK economy, they may let it slide.  This government loves rich people who throw their money around. 

in the UK, for a UK company, that is 100% correct - But that does not preclude me from doing my USA job abroad...

Actually, yes it does.

All work, paid or unpaid, for a UK or US company, in person or online, is illegal while in the UK as a visitor.

Your status in CZ has nothing to do with your status in the UK.  If you're not a CZ citizen you can't be on the electoral roll in the UK.  The only benefit to being on the UK electoral roll is to prove you have a legal address here, so if you're a CZ resident that would actually count against you. 

Your business situation sounds complicated, and I'd suggest getting a lawyer to help you sort it out.  And FYI, a visitor visa prohibits work of any kind, even remotely for your own company.  If you're using a visitor visa to live and set up work in the UK that is technically illegal and it could cause problems for future visas.  That said, if you're going to be pouring millions of pounds into the UK economy, they may let it slide.  This government loves rich people who throw their money around. 

RE: CZ - I was just clarifying what was asked of me .. That is my 'status' and what I choose to do with it (as I'm now legally, part of the EU, could either help, or hinder me - TBD) - and why I came here asking for advice.

Your "FYI" is incorrect under self-sponsorship scheme - I am entitled to do business here, as a contractor, under that visa, and yes, once fees are paid.. they do 'let it slide' - I'd prefer to look at it as me paying into the system as required, and that allows me to carry on working...

I'm a positive - forward looking - lets get things done kinda person - Not one looking for reasons why it can't or won't work... I totally understand rules are in place to keep order - and I respect and honor those/them ...

I just wish to know how others have survived here 3 years without a basic credit card?

Actually, yes it does.

All work, paid or unpaid, for a UK or US company, in person or online, is illegal while in the UK as a visitor.

OK - I'll take that back up with my migration business attorney then... as clearly I've been given bad advice

But what visa are you currently on?  I can't find anything on UKBA's site that corresponds with what you say about this self-sponsorship.  If you're not here on a legal visa then that explains why you can't get credit or an NI number.   

Also no, your status as resident in CZ does not make you part of the EU.  It makes you part of CZ.  It's only citizenship that allows free movement from one EU country to another. 

If you're applying for the Entrepreneur visa I presume you are in touch with UKTI  in London? http://www.ukti.gov.uk/investintheuk/investintheukhome/item/128214.html

who can put you in touch with Banks that are sympathetic to new business investors in the UK.

In regards to your credit question, this is probably a matter of having the cash again.

When I came over I took my passport and a check for £12k to my husband's bank (Lloyds). There were no problems opening accounts.

A few months later I somehow managed to overdraft as I had put most of the money in savings, and when I went to sort it out the woman behind the counter asked me why I didn't have a credit card to use for everyday purchases? And I told her that I was under the impression that I wasn't eligible. They got me into one of those back offices super fast!

The man who I was dealing with told me that it was flagging on their system that they should offer/issue me with a credit card but that usually ILR was required for this (hence the three years you've been hearing about). He was not entirely sure why it was working for me but he suggested it was either the amount of money I had or the fact that I was also on a shared account with someone who had already had an account open for more than three years.

I was issued a credit card with a limit of £9k, although I had done none of the credit building tips that you see popping up on here from time to time.

So you could try opening a decently sized account with the bank that your partner uses, although I may have just gotten lucky.

Sounds like a potentially tough situation legally, for a few reasons. I would suggest speaking to a solicitor specialising in immigration ASAP. If you send me a private message with a contact number, I can have a colleague phone you, but you can get free advice from a few sources as well, possibly the citizens advice bureau etc.

As to credit, there's no shortcut. It takes years to build up a new credit rating. You need to be very careful with attempts to get on the electoral roll though - easy to accidentally commit an offence.

Good luck!

But what visa are you currently on?  I can't find anything on UKBA's site that corresponds with what you say about this self-sponsorship.  If you're not here on a legal visa then that explains why you can't get credit or an NI number.   

Also no, your status as resident in CZ does not make you part of the EU.  It makes you part of CZ.  It's only citizenship that allows free movement from one EU country to another. 

Types of Work Permits/Visas
The major types of UK immigration categories that allow employment are as follows:

5)    Self-sponsored Highly Skilled Workers. Self-sponsored, highly skilled foreign nationals can obtain immigration permission to work as employed or self-employed in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. Applicants earn points for their skills, educational background, their potential for economic success, their level of English competency, and their ability to support themselves and any dependents

If you're applying for the Entrepreneur visa I presume you are in touch with UKTI  in London? http://www.ukti.gov.uk/investintheuk/investintheukhome/item/128214.html

who can put you in touch with Banks that are sympathetic to new business investors in the UK.

Thank you - this link and info is very helpful and useful - and helps me move forward -

Cheers,

BB