US 21 y/o grad looking to stay and work in UK for 1yr++help!

[ttoommnn]

Hi,
My girlfriend is just about to graduate from her US university. She is an American citizen with no European ancestry. I am a UK citizen, still studying at University. She will qualify from with a bachelors degree in English Literature and has not had a high enough paying job to qualify for HSMP. Is the only possibility marriage? She is looking to work on a BUNAC scheme but that only covers her for 6 months, but it is another year until I graduate. All we want is advice on what we can do to allow her to stay in England for a year or more, working in any sector, she just wants to be in England and be able to live with me.
Thanks to anyone who has any helpful comments,
Tom

[sakura]

You don't mention where you currently live - in the UK or in the US?

She can look for a company to sponsor her under the work permit scheme. Other than that, then a short-term visa like BUNAC, or a student visa (e.g. for a masters) are the other options, outside of marriage.

[ttoommnn]

Sorry, I live in the UK. Only problem with BUNAC is its a 6 month visa and she is looking to be here for at least a year and a half, as for sponsorship, I heard from a colleague that there is the possibility that I could sponsor her personally by ensuring she had accomodation and would not be using public funds(benefits), its the first time I had heard of this, are they mistaken?

One last question about sponsorship, I read the sponsoring company apparently has to prove that the visa applicant is the only person for the job and its been advertised in Britain, we're looking at getting her a job at a local newspaper, is this the sort of company that would be allowed to sponsor? Are they very strict about the companies choice in a foreign applicant on the work permit scheme?
Thanks again for any help

[Wanderer]

U can't sponsor her except for marriage and unmarried partner visa with two years cohab.

A sponsoring company has to advertise the job in UK and EU and show why ur gf would be a better choice than any local applicants. Not easy unless she has unique skills.

[Administrator]

.

the possibility that I could sponsor her personally by ensuring she had accomodation and would not be using public funds(benefits), its the first time I had heard of this, are they mistaken?

As per Wanderer .. they are mistaken, barring fiance & marriage options.

sponsoring company apparently has to prove that the visa applicant is the only person for the job and its been advertised in Britain

It's even worse than that. Not only must she out-qualify people in the UK, she must also out-qualify any European Union / European Economic Area citizen or resident.

Any possible job opening needs to match her skillset pretty closely so that nobody in a 30-day period will clearly be her equivalent or superior.

the Admin

[PaperPusher]

It's even worse than that. Not only must she out-qualify people in the UK, she must also out-qualify any European Union / European Economic Area citizen or resident.

It is actually much worse than the Admin thinks

Even if she out-qualifies EEA workers, the EEA worker should get the job if they meet the requirements for the job. As an example, the job needs a degree, an EEA worker with a degree applies & the OP's girlfriend applies with a degree & 6 months exp - no work permit.

Recruitment Search
49. You will need to show why you cannot fill the post with a 'resident worker' (see paragraph 2). In most cases you will also need to give details of your recruitment methods and give credible reasons why you did not employ a suitably qualified or experienced 'resident worker' or one who, with extra training, could do the job.

Business and Commercial Guidance

Seriously though ttoommnn, it isn't impossible to get a work permit with a degree. A work permit does tie you to one employer though.

Regards

PP