Archive » United Kingdom » Wishing to stay in England......
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| M McCauley Junior Member Member # 5315 | Posted September 10, 2002 11:11 AM Hi people. I'm really hoping someone may be able to help me with my situation. This may be a bit long but if a single person takes interest it will be very much appreciated. I am currently in the UK (England) on a Working HolidayMaker. I am 23, a Canadian citizen, and reside with my boyfriend (a UK citizen). My work permit expires end of March 2003. My problem is I would like to stay without having to get married as yet. I'm not going to pretend I have loads of money or qualifications/degrees because I don't. I do temporary work as a Secretary or Administrator to earn money. I understand if I came over again as a visitor or fiancee I wouldn't be able to seek employment, but I'm one of those that prefers to work. I know the chances of a company sponsoring me to stay is slim considering I've only ever done admin skills in the UK. But that's not to say I wouldn't be interested in doing some training. I'll cut to the chase because I'm sure I'm rambling: 1. I can stay if I plan to get married within 6 months but it is too soon for me, may sound cliche but tis true! 2. I can go to uni/college here, (would love to take up nursing as I have many health science courses behind me!) but it costs so much for an international student to study. 3. I can come visit for up to 6 months but not be able to work. 4. I just miss out on the UK ancestry visa because my great-grandparents were born in England, it HAS to be your GRANDPARENT, nothing above. (although family tree says we are linked back to Lady Chatterley and Sir Frances Drake!) 5. And all the others such as being an entrepreneur, an artist, a highly skilled person, etc. I just don't fill that criteria. Basically, I'm wanting to stay. My boyfriend and I will be going to see his local MP in a couple of weeks to see if she can help at all. It just feels there is no "medium" for a person such as myself to stay. I wouldn't be a drain on the country, I pay tax and of no harm to anyone. I am open to listen for direction or ideas, and I am sincere in my efforts to try and stay. Any feedback is grately appreciated. Thanks, Mel -------------------- Melissa McCauley |
| kiwinyc Member Member # 251 | Posted September 10, 2002 11:27 AM It sounds like you've done your research well and already discovered for yourself that unfortunately, there is no visa situation that covers your circumstances. And you're not the first person to be caught in this dilemma. The best chance you might have, if you can afford the fees, is to switch to a student visa. The fees are high as an international student, but you might be able to find a cheaper, alternative course of study - just something to allow you to stay for a while longer until you're able to decide if you want to get married. YOu can also work part-time as a student... |
| M McCauley Junior Member Member # 5315 | Posted September 10, 2002 11:53 AM Thank you for that kiwinyc. I'll look into that...Mel -------------------- Melissa McCauley |
| Monty Member Member # 5325 | Posted September 10, 2002 03:41 PM Since you have an interest in nursing, I would persue that, often you can get taken on as a sttudent nurse without needing to pay fees, and actually get paid (ok not very much...) but its better that nothing... cheers |
| Thorsten von Thyssen Member Member # 4397 | Posted September 10, 2002 03:47 PM Monty, I am afraid that the free nursing studies option is only open to EU nationals. -------------------- ----------------------------------- |
| M McCauley Junior Member Member # 5315 | Posted September 10, 2002 03:53 PM Thanks people, it's almost flattering that this bulletin offers so much assistance! -------------------- Melissa McCauley |
| Mauricio Member Member # 1882 | Posted September 11, 2002 12:26 AM Hi Mel, The best advice that I can give you is to enroll in a computer course in a private school (it has the sama price for UK-EU and oversea people) with at least 16 h/w, so you will be able to switch to student visa that allow you to work 20 h/w and as many houres as you want during holiday period. Good luck |
| Thorsten von Thyssen Member Member # 4397 | Posted September 11, 2002 09:11 AM Mauricio, Do you roughly know how much such a course cost? -------------------- ----------------------------------- |
| david Member Member # 9 | Posted September 11, 2002 01:55 PM These courses usually cost around £1000 for the year. |
| Thorsten von Thyssen Member Member # 4397 | Posted September 11, 2002 02:58 PM David, So for £1,000 you buy the right to work part time for six months and full time for the rest of the year. -------------------- ----------------------------------- |
| User Member Member # 3726 | Posted September 11, 2002 03:05 PM But that is 100% Legal, tnavon. The law allows it! regards. |
| M McCauley Junior Member Member # 5315 | Posted September 11, 2002 03:50 PM Just a general query people. If a large charity were to sponsor me (and they apply for a work permit) how much would they be looking at to pay for this? Is it even "allowed?" Cheers! -------------------- Melissa McCauley |
| Witt Member Member # 567 | Posted September 11, 2002 04:23 PM quote:
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| Elisa Member Member # 2487 | Posted September 11, 2002 04:59 PM It is allowed but your skills have to been on the skills shortage list. Admin, secretarial work is not allowed. It would have to fall under IT, Healthcare, etc and you would still have to meet the legal requirements/qualifications for a work permit. And yes it is legal to apply for student visa and take courses however if it is found out that you are only doing it to stay in the country that is illegal. How will they find out? Simple if you blab it all over town someone out of spite can simply make a call and inform the authorities. Please be careful, though I understand your frustration you don't want to do anything that will get you kicked out of the country for good. |
| Deleted Member Member # 128 | Posted September 11, 2002 09:12 PM Hi. Just to clarify some inaccurate information given by some of the previous posters. 1. Work permits are issued free of charge and they're usually applied for electronically (email) with the subsequent saving in administrative costs. 2. Work permits can in fact be issued for positions NOT in the shortage occupation lists. The basic requirement for a work permit is a position that requires either a degree OR significant experience. You'll find all of this information and more in the Guidance for Employers at www.workpermits.gov.uk . [ September 11, 2002: Message edited by: Héctor ] |
| M McCauley Junior Member Member # 5315 | Posted September 12, 2002 09:06 AM Thanks for that Hector! I was wondering when you'd come into this! Haha. Have a good one. Mel -------------------- Melissa McCauley |
| Deleted Member Member # 128 | Posted September 12, 2002 09:23 AM You're welcome. |
| Jaz Junior Member Member # 2748 | Posted September 12, 2002 10:09 AM A very long shot but as your name may suggest, do you have any ancestors from Ireland. If so then may be there is some hope of getting Irish citizenship and then settling in UK. |
| M McCauley Junior Member Member # 5315 | Posted September 12, 2002 11:52 AM Jaz, To be honest I dont know where McCauley came from. My background is mainly Native Canadian, but I'm currently not sure how my great grandfather got that name. He fought in the war but was definately born in Canada. But I can trace that side of the family after I'm done with another. Still this all comes from my mom's side of the family. To be honest, I never knew my family tree was so interesting. Thanks! |
| Elisa Member Member # 2487 | Posted September 12, 2002 02:34 PM Actually Hector I have spoken to the British Consulate in Canada and they were the ones who gave me that information about who is eligible for a Work Permit in the UK. Regardless of whether a degree is required it is very, very rare that one is issued with the excpetion of someone at a CEO or Director level in business or someone in a specialist field that is doing research in which case they are Phd level. Sorry if that seems inaccurate to you but I have done my homework and since it came from them I can only assume that it is accurate. |
| Deleted Member Member # 128 | Posted September 12, 2002 02:50 PM I respectfully disagree. A tier-2 work permit is one for an occupation that even though is not in the shortage list, the employer has had trouble finding a local candidate for it. Unfortunately, we have seen many times on this forum that advice given by consular officers has turned out to be incorrect. Rather than going by what the consulate (and even I) say, you should always go to the first-hand source of information: www.workpermits.gov.uk . I especially recommend reading the following pages: http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=2016 http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=2133 Sorry I don't mean to come on too strong, I just want to make sure we don't mislead people |
| johannesburg Junior Member Member # 5359 | Posted September 12, 2002 04:56 PM Hi I had the best news today. I got my visa, after quite a battle. But someone out there believed in me and help me through all of this. Let me explain…. I am in a heterosexual relationship. Been here on a working holiday visa, met my partner (British) been living together just over 2 years and applied for a defacto visa. Everybody told me that they would only grant Defacto visas to same sex couples or couples that can not get married for some legal reason, we were neither. I applied in December and got my passport back yester. Home Office extended my visa to 2004 and after that I can apply to get the time limit removed from my passport. All I want to say is don’t give up!!!!! And there is always a way. Ps. Nothing we did was illegal or a lie. Good luck to all of you out there. |
| Chris Fysh Member Member # 618 | Posted September 12, 2002 05:43 PM Amazing story. Quite un-heard of. The only thing I can think of is that 1. The Home Office made an administrative error (this happens from time to time) or 2. There were 'exceptional circumstances'. The unmarried partners concession only applies to those who, for some legal reason cannot get married - ie same sex or he/she comes from a country where divorce is illegal (Philippines). Also, on Hector's point, I must stress this point - Immigration advice from Consulates / Embassies (and quite often the Home Office) is often incorrect. -------------------- Chris |
| Ala Member Member # 4611 | Posted September 12, 2002 07:30 PM Melissa, I am very sure, as your name suggest you have Irish connections. Are you aware there are lot of Irish people in US and Canada. And there are doing very well too. I know so many. From U.S - Federal Reserve (treasury) secretary O'Connor (forget the first name) who is actively involved in third world debt relief programme by U2 lead singer Bono. From Canada - present Barclays C.E.O, head hunted while working for Royal Bank of Canada for a pay pack of £6Mn. So, Don't giveup Jaz's advice. [ September 12, 2002: Message edited by: Ala ] |
| Ala Member Member # 4611 | Posted September 12, 2002 07:32 PM Elisa, I personally know 7 accountants working on work permits who have completed UK exams befoe obtaining these permits. All on Tier 2. One guy who is in Level 1 of ACCA has obtained work permit too. Is it equvalent to NVQ Level 3? May be but I don't know. As far as the procedure is followed, No way out, Elisa. |
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