I'm an American female and I'm white. I want to move to England. How much easier/harder will it be to move?

Question

I'm trying to get a job in a global company so I can be transfered but I'm pretty sure I'd get paid better working for a car dealership. Anyways, I'd like to move by next year. What's the best way to go about it (is the global company idea good) and will it be a bit easier for me? I'm going to be 21 in November. Should I just try to go to school there and get a work and school visa? I'm majoring in Art.

No jokes like: "No you'll never get in because you're not Arab." or "Just claim asylum." I'm not Arab. I'm not being persecuted in the USA. I'm not going to pretend I am.

I live in Los Angeles.

Answer 1

they let anyone in over here.
i guess u wanna live in london aswell?

try up north in sheffield or manchester. not as expensive as london to live in..

Answer 2

The global company idea is good. They will generally sort out your visa for you, which is one headache you can do without. You might also be able to get a posting for a few years, so if you don't like it you can come home. If you do like it, you would find it reasonably straightforward to be able to stay. As with the USA, just do the right paperwork at the right time.

The problem I see with the employment route is that you are maybe a bit young, but there is no harm in trying.

As for education, there are many fine colleges and universities in the UK. Glasgow and London have excellent art schools that I know of. However, if you do ever plan on returning to the USA I think you would benefit from having a US four-year degree. The US degree is more accepted in the UK than the other way about.

Answer 3

Being an American white female may help. I once immigrated to a British Commonwealth country in the mid-1990s and they accepted me quickly because I was a white American with money. At the same time they were rejecting Indians and Asians like crazy, even though many of them had money too.

There are complex immigration rules in the UK, but you can bypass many of them if you are transferred there by a global company. There are special rules that allow high level workers into most countries without fuss, including the UK and US. It probably won't apply to a car sales person, but it does apply to management.

Going as a student won't allow you to get a job. They are pretty strict about that. However, if you go as a student, you can marry a British citizen, and you'll likely get to stay that way!

I notice advice here to live in somewhere like Manchester. Be wary of that. The "industrial north" of England is considered to be an armpit by many people. I've been there a few times and don't disagree. London may be expensive, but all the action is there.

London is an exciting place. If you make it, go to a pub and lift a pint to me!


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Answer 4

Seriously there are few advantages to working and living in the UK. The longest working time in the world, total aggression a lot of the time, continual financial rip offs. Lady forget it. We have gotten out and live in France, but there is no work here, I am retired. Yes I know there are problems in the US, the medical situation dragging the US down almost to third world status. Anyway you almost certainly will not get residency permit. Suggest you have a vacation there first. Costs, parking a car at the hospital $6.00 car yearly registration $300 gasoline about $2.00 a uk gallon, council tax on a regular appartment $3000 per year clothing roughly double the US, (yes I know there are cheaper brands, but I am going by say Levis and that sort of thing), appartment rental say $200 a week, EMPTY, no furniture.
Depending on your job and where it is at 21 about $600 per week and then some $150 deducted for tax and insurance. The trains are the most expensive in the world costing more than many intercity US airlines.
Now what did you say?
Try getting a job with the defense department, I worked for them for 6 years

Answer 5

Selling cars is done rather differently over here and though I believe women car sales people can do better than men, the wrong accent could put a buyer off that is if you could find a dealership that would take you on.

I would stick with the idea of a transfer until you find your feet over here and decide whether you'd really like to stay. I'm guessing that after 2 years here you'd be 'invited' to take citizenship or the next plane home.

I was planning to go the other way (I work for an American company with a single site in the UK) but was told although my skills would be welcome my age might be against me (I'm 46).

Whatever you decide, good luck.

Answer 6

there is an official immigration site.. www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

all the information you need is here. I agree with most of the others, England is not a great place to live, most Brits with money are leaving in droves to live elswhere. Sorry to say it but there is not a lot of respect for Americans either (blame your government dont take it personal). Have a good look around and see if you would be better off in another country. Properties are very very expensive and so is rent in decent areas. crime is very high too..

Guess what i am saying is really REALLY do your homework on the place before making a decision.

good luck with your future.

Answer 7

you could school here if that's what you wanted, you could go to a college or be an overseas student at university, though this costs an arm and a leg, unless of course the uni that you are at now does a sort of transfere thing where you can transfere over to finish your degree over here. i'm not too sure about how the visa thing works since i've never had to apply for one, or even who you contact. but if you decide to come over here then you're best aviding london because it is overcrowded, few jobs, and expensive. same goes for any sea-side resort, you're best trying a major city up north like sheffield, bradford or leeds.

Answer 8

If you have white skin then you will not be considered an immigrant, that label only seems to apply to non-whites. By all means come over, immigrants are creating work; no matter what colour their skin is! The cost of living will knock the wind out of you though.

Practise is spelt with an s when it is a verb in England English.

Answer 9

Unlike your country where you have to prove that you are actually going to provide something for the country, you couldprobably just get a visa, then go to an office in London and apply for citizenship or an extended working visa, you will have no problem getting in, well maybe 1 your white!!!!!

Answer 10

I very much doubt if you would get issued with any sort of work permit to work legally in a UK company. Your original plan - a global company and transfer - seems good

Answer 11

Why the hell would you want to come here? It's cold, wet, bland. The best thing is the football (NOT soccer) and cricket, and chances are you don't like that. Go to Holland, it's a lovely country.