Travelling to UK: Visa/Citizenship?

[Knyghtmayre]

This is my first time travelling overseas on my own. I feel completely lost in this. I don't know what it is I need to do, exactly. If someone here knew the in's and out's of overseas travelling and work permits, any help would be greatly appreciated...

I'm going to the UK for a few months (possibly longer), during which time I'll obviously need a job. Do I need citizenship for a job? Will a visa suffice? Which kind of visa do I need, the site has like 12 different ones? I'm trying to figure out what I need to do in order for this trip to not be a failure. Also, are there any age restrictions on citizenship/visas? I'm 20 and won't be 21 until the end of July.

[*Shinzon*]

I'm not sure how extended stays out of the country work, but the first thing you want to make sure is that your passport is up to date. After many of the changes made after 9/11 the process to get a passport takes much longer than it used to. We have a buncha people from the UK here who can probably point you in the right direction with an e-gov website regarding a visa and stuff.

[Knyghtmayre]

Applied for passport a week ago, so that definitely won't be a problem with being up-to-date.

[Kytele]

Good luck lol.



You'll need to apply for an extended work visa, and unless you're super skilled/qualified at a certain job you won't be granted that visa. And if you do manage to get it, good luck finding someone to hire you. From what I understand the priority is to hire native UK over those with work visas and finding a job is tough enough as it is.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/

[Mizango]

- Become a dentist.
- Apply and receive extended work Visa
- Fix terrible teeth forever
- ????
- Profit

[Jakson]

- Become a dentist.
- Go to Texas
- Fix terrible teeth forever
- ????
- Profit

also works

[Cephius]

You'll basically be at the bottom of the food chain, the UK has programs that give graduates of their universities work visas so they can find a job regardless of their country of origin. Which means you'll be competing with not only the UK natives who are looking for jobs but also the recent college grads who are already a step ahead of you because they're cleared to work there.

I don't think it's possible for you to get a part time job unless you do it off the books or something.

[volcanicweather]

It will be VERY difficult for you to find a job unless it's off the books. I tried a similar thing at your age except I went to Sweden and it was almost impossible even with connections.

You can stay in a foreign country WITH CAUSE (i.e. visiting family, which I was) for a maximum of 90 days. Then you have to go home unless you have a work visa, marry a UK chick, or something else which is legally binding. If you still stay in the country you're an "illegal" and you can be prosecuted and deported if caught.

So plan on a 3 month maximum stay... also if would be good to know other things such as if you have a place to stay, how much money you have during your time there, etc. If you are thinking of London it's a very expensive city so unless you have hookups and/or a lot of cash, you're not going to last long.

If I were you, I would just get a rail pass and travel Europe. You can sleep on the train and in hostels and see some amazing things. Plus you qualify for youth discounts given your age.

http://www.raileurope.com/rail-ticke...d-pricing.html

[Mizango]

I wonder if Lou Dobbs would get upset at that.

[wop]

Best job in UK is an underground tube driver.

£40,000 a year in salary for stopping the train in each station.

work shift no longer than 3 hours.

travel benefits for family members up to £4000

and +++++

NOT A JOKE. They earn this much and yet goes on strike every year... DAMN BOB CROW

[aduidarnenye]

You can get a working holiday visa in the UK up til age 30. You need to apply for it through their immigration offices. It gives you something like full time work for 6 months or part time work for a year, or something close to that at least. I can't remember. I always wanted to do something like that but I didn't find out til I was 31. I'm sure they have a website with more info.

P.S. Do this SOON because visas can be a bitch to get. My husband is trying to get a permanent residence visa for Canada now and it's taking ages and ages.

P.P.S. Don't worry about your age. In most Western countries people are legal adults at 18, with all rights associated. It's only America that has weird age laws.

[Blabj]

Massive unemployment and recession at the moment... It'll be difficult to get a decent job, unless you're very skilled. Coupled with the work visa issue, I think your chances would be slim.

[Mizango]

Massive unemployment and recession at the moment... It'll be difficult to get a decent job, unless you're very skilled. Coupled with the work visa issue, I think your chances would be slim.

Take a page from the uneducated, red neck portion of our community and blame the HNIC.

You'll feel better about the situation.

[Blabj]

Well yeah, what I meant was, unless he has specialisation, a menial job is going to be difficult to find because they're very sought after at the moment.

[Beckwin]

You can get a working holiday visa in the UK up til age 30. You need to apply for it through their immigration offices. It gives you something like full time work for 6 months or part time work for a year, or something close to that at least. I can't remember. I always wanted to do something like that but I didn't find out til I was 31. I'm sure they have a website with more info.

P.S. Do this SOON because visas can be a bitch to get. My husband is trying to get a permanent residence visa for Canada now and it's taking ages and ages.

P.P.S. Don't worry about your age. In most Western countries people are legal adults at 18, with all rights associated. It's only America that has weird age laws.

I'm not sure if Americans are eligible for working holiday visas. seems to only involve commonwealth countries and those they've made agreements with (generally means citizens from both countries can get it in the other, and I don't think America offers them to British citizens)... but it's worth checking into.

[Khamsin]

What if he works for cheaper than the locals? Then they might be willing to give him a job over the locals. Especially at menial jobs.

[Knyghtmayre]

I'm not thinking of living/staying in London, and I have someone to stay with, I just need to be able to keep up my half of the rent. I guess it may have been a little misleading saying that I was doing this alone, when what I meant was the traveling/handling of the legal documentation would be handled by me alone, but once I get there I will have a place to stay.

I am a skilled (graphic) artist but only a high school diploma to show for it and I have no idea what kind of demand there is for a graphic artist in the UK. I don't really mind what the job is, but if it really is as hard as everyone is saying it will be to even find someone willing to hire me - that could be really bad. I'm going to apply for my visa as soon as my passport comes in (next week), so as to get everything in motion as soon as possible.

I appreciate everyone's input thus far. To be clear, I just need a standard "Up to 6 months Work Permit" visa?

[Blabj]

Bring a portfolio of work with you, and begin looking for any agencies around the area that you'll be staying. The sooner you start, the better your chances since the creative industries are naturally very competitive (regardless of employment rates - although it's probably exacerbated by it...)

You'd probably be best off creating a decent website with a portfolio of work, and try freelance work. And obviously learning other skills such as web design or motion graphics, which are related to your existing skillset so it wouldn't take you long to pick it up. I think you'll need to be as resourceful as you can, networking and building up a name for yourself. My friend went to local companies and offered his web design services to them - it's being cheeky like that that'll get you jobs.

[Mizango]

What if he works for cheaper than the locals? Then they might be willing to give him a job over the locals. Especially at menial jobs.

I've heard that somewhere before but I cant quite put my finger on it.

[toonces]

work at a bar or restaurant under the table if is just for a few months, work visas take longer than that to get.