Planning a move from the US to the UK...

[AnthonySherman]

Hello,

I plan on moving from the US to the UK sometime by the end of the year. My 'better-half' is relocating there for a US position in Bristol and I will be going with. We both plan on becoming perm British citizens before the job expires and we have to return.

My question is...is it possible for me to fly over to the UK, find work and eventually become a resident alien, or perm citizen straight away? I will soon be getting my passport here in Washington, DC and plan of flying over there sometime this year....but would very much like to "not return" to the US and instead stay in Britain.

Is this possible...or does anyone have any thoughts that could help me in my journey?

[PaperPusher]

How long will your partner's job in the UK last?

You may be able to come as a dependent of your partner. Are you married? If not, have you been living together for at least two years?

You will have to apply as a dependent in the US before you come to the UK.

[AnthonySherman]

How long will your partner's job in the UK last?

You may be able to come as a dependent of your partner. Are you married? If not, have you been living together for at least two years?

You will have to apply as a dependent in the US before you come to the UK.

The American Job (my partner has) in Bristol, UK will last three years. We are not married, however we have been living together for over two years here in the US.

How would I apply to be my partners dependent here in the US? I am currently getting my first passport, and researching how to get a work permit for the UK before we move.

From what I've gathered, I need a UK job to hire me before I make the move...and they (the job) will sponser me? Is this true? I imagine it will be quite hard for me to land a job over there before the move, as I am nothing special (like an engineer, doctor, or any other special interest related job).

Our plan is to find a way to become perm citizens of the UK, and not move back to the states after the three years is up. My partner has three years over there to figure this transition out. However, I have either 'before' I fly over to figure it out...or immediately after I land in the UK to figure it out. Passport visits do not last forever.

Thank you for your response, and any more info or thoughts on how to become a resident alien, citizen, or a working member of society would be more than grateful

[PaperPusher]

First things first, you cannot move to the UK as a visitor and then sort things out in the UK.

Your partner would be the main applicant, and then you could be the dependent. You can apply at the same time to come to the UK together.

If your partner is coming on Tier 2 General, the usual route for sponsored skilled workers, here is the information on the UK Border Agency website:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/worki ... 2/general/

Who is a dependant?
A dependant is:
your husband, wife or civil partner; or
your unmarried or same-sex partner; or
your child aged under 18 years old.

Settlement can be applied for in this route (subject to possible changes) after five years.

If your partner will be coming as a Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer migrant, settlement could be achieved in 10 years, although this could change:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/worki ... tier2/ict/

You would be able to work as a dependent on these routes. You cannot make an application in the UK to switch from a visitor however.

I am assuming here that your partner is not a British or EU/EEA citizen.

If your partner wanted to stay longer than the three years the job will last for, they would have to extend their stay somehow.

[666zips]

My question is...is it possible for me to fly over to the UK, find work and eventually become a resident alien, or perm citizen straight away? I will soon be getting my passport here in Washington, DC and plan of flying over there sometime this year....but would very much like to "not return" to the US and instead stay in Britain.

All I can say is if only it was that easy. I went to the UK a few years ago being just as naive. It is not an easy process. You need to start with the UKBA website and read every thing you can. Good luck . . . I really hope everything works out for you.