Emigrating from US to UK to work and live.

[Verdank]

Hello there.

I hope I am posting in the right forum, or even on the right website, please direct me elsewhere if you feel this is the wrong place.

My current girlfriend lives and works in the States. She's a CDL certified truck driver (equivilant to HGV 2/3 from what I believe). We'd like to live together, hopefully have our own place and be with each other by the end of autumn. I plan on proposing in the summer (fingers crossed things go well). We've been looking into her migrating here.

I was hoping I could get some advice on her obtaining a visa, which one would be best for her to move and work here without too much hassle from the government. I'd also like to know how migrants stand if they wish to become self-employed once they move here. I am currently self-employed, I reckon she got the thought from me.

Her current work plan is to save around £10,000-£12,000 before moving here, pay for her own HGV training and driving licenses, and work as a lorry driver. She's had ideas of working in a dispatch center for trucking companies, or perhaps going into child care or teaching after gaining qualifications. The reason I'm telling you all this is so you can get a clearer picture, and hopefully give more insight if, or when, you reply.

The end result would be her becoming a British citizen, living here with me indefinitely, marriage, family... the usual.

Would anyone care to help please? Any information you can give would be great, if you have any questions please ask.

Thanks!

[Wanderer]

Spouse visa - you need to earn £18,600 a year for the last 12 months I think if you are self-employed to sponsor.

No other way I'm afraid given the circs you describe....

[Verdank]

Considering we're not married, not even engaged yet, is there no other way? She's mentioned moving sooner, she doesn't really have any family over there, and her job has her moving constantly for months at a time so there's no actual property she owns.

The 18.6k, is that combined between us or just my own income?

[Wanderer]

Considering we're not married, not even engaged yet, is there no other way? She's mentioned moving sooner, she doesn't really have any family over there, and her job has her moving constantly for months at a time so there's no actual property she owns.

The 18.6k, is that combined between us or just my own income?

Options are:

1. Marry as above.

2. Student visa (need about £30k upfront)

3. Work Permit (need to be highly skilled and have a sponsor)

With spouse visa you need to earn the 18k yourself, her earnings in US won't count.

[Casa]

Just your income and as you are self-employed this amount would be after declared expenses on your annual self-assessment, not gross earnings.

[Verdank]

What about the 10-year spouse visa, that has no financial requirements right? Could you give me any information on that please? As it stands, I don't make 18.6k after taxes and expenses.

[Wanderer]

What about the 10-year spouse visa, that has no financial requirements right? Could you give me any information on that please? As it stands, I don't make 18.6k after taxes and expenses.

Need a Family Life together for that, which you don't have I'm afraid.

Get two/three jobs so you meet the criteria, sometimes you have have to so what's required, we've all had to.

Its £18,600 after expenses but not taxes.....

[Verdank]

Ok then, thanks for the advice. I guess I had best expand or change careers.

Could she come over on a work visa? If she's trained to transport haz-mat in a truck, would that help her case? There's also a chance that she could work for a company that has a UK branch. She did her CDL training with such a company, who said they had branches in other countries including the UK and the Netherlands, and after a given amount of time she could transfer.

Is there another route we could take when it comes to work and work visas?

[Wanderer]

Ok then, thanks for the advice. I guess I had best expand or change careers.

Could she come over on a work visa? If she's trained to transport haz-mat in a truck, would that help her case? There's also a chance that she could work for a company that has a UK branch. She did her CDL training with such a company, who said they had branches in other countries including the UK and the Netherlands, and after a given amount of time she could transfer.

Is there another route we could take when it comes to work and work visas?

Not really - those sort of jobs are not on the shortage list so employers have to consider UK and EU candidates first and prove it.

Inter-company transfers are possible, but you need to have worked for the company for a year at least.

I'm afraid this process it not easy, and certainly not cheap, in my opinion that's your priority, amass some serious coin, and take your time and don't take shortcuts re: visas etc, or you'll be living the rest of your lives looking over your shoulder. Immigration is tough game nowadays, budget £4000 in visa fees alone.

[Verdank]

Ok. Thanks for all the help, especially you Wanderer, I hope I can come back for more advice should the need arise.

I appreciate the effort! Thank you.