I was hoping someone would be able to help me work out what would be best to do for my situation. I'm a 20 year old Australian citizen, and wish to travel/ work in Europe from June 2014. I've thought about a few options but have no idea which would actually be allowed or the best way to go. My boyfriend lives in Norway and I have some family (step-family) in the UK. Ideally, I want to stay for a few years at least, work and travel, and be able to go between the UK & Norway without any dramas over that period (asking a lot, I know. haha). Has anyone got a brilliant suggestion that would work for me in these circumstances? These were my options, but they all seem to have some sort of problem associated so I'm unsure of what to do;
- Apply for a 2 year Tier 5 YMS Visa in the UK, and have a 1 year Working Holiday Visa in Norway at the same time. I could arrange all this before I leave, but this limits my options after that time is up, as neither are extendable/repeatable visas.
- Enter the UK on a 3-6 month visitor visa. (I would like to travel for at least 3 or 4 months without working anyway so not having a working visa at the start would be fine). Apply for the 2 year Tier 5 YMS visa near the end of this time while in Norway (which would be allowed without a Visa due to the Schengen Zone rules if I'm right?) During this time that would mean I'm only allowed to visit my partner in Norway for 3 out of every 6 months though, which I'd prefer not to.
- I have read a little bit but can't find much info on this, but is it possible to do some sort of sponsorship thing, where a family member of my step-dad would declare financial responsibility for me and I would, during this time, be a UK resident? And in doing this, would it give me rights to live, work and travel throughout the UK without visas?
Thank you in advance!
- Brooke
A little extra info:
I don't know if it makes any difference, but this is a rough idea of where I actually want to go for the start of this big move, which would obviously affect the type of visa I'd need etc.
June 2014: England (2 weeks) -> July: Norway (6 weeks) -> August: Spain (5/6 weeks) -> October: Portugal (1 week) -> October: Germany (3 weeks) -> November: Norway &/or UK (4-8 weeks) -> Settle to work & live in Norway or UK