An American in London ....
We've had heaps of questions and requests about Americans moving to and living in London. We thought the best thing to do to answer all those questions, would be to give you an American in London page, dedicated to 'Americans living and working in London'.
I reckon this is just about all the info you guys, as Americans in London, will need to know! However if there is any more advice, suggestions or bits of info we just havn't found - please don't hesitate to let us know info@moving2london.com
#1 Visas or Work Permits – The most important thing to living and working in London.
Best thing to do when it comes to visas for the UK is to work out if you actually need one.
You can do that through this LINK www.ukvisas.gov.uk
Applying from the USA -
This site says it all! but here is a quick run down as we understand it;
www.visainfoservices.com
As US citizens you guys will need to apply for a work permit. A work permit lets you work in the UK for more then 6 months but the main thing is that it lets UK employers employ non UK or European citizens to fill the available role. One catch though; the UK employer must prove that the particular role they are advertising CAN NOT be filled by a UK or EU Citizen! Be sure to find an extended stay hotel deal at DHR for your UK trips.
So if you find an employer that really really needs you then you have 6 work permit visa options.
1. Business and Commercial
2. Sportspeople and Entertainers
3. Global agreement on Trade in Services
4. Sectors Based Scheme
5. Training and Work Experience Scheme!
But the Work Permit you guys are probably most interested in is the Business and Commercial Work Permit.
So where do you get one of these Work Permits?
Well.... bad news it, you can't apply directly for a Work Permit - the UK employer who wants to employ you needs to do this.
There are some jobs in the UK that DONT need a Work permit; If you do any of these jobs then welcome to the UK!
- minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order
- sole representative of an overseas company in the UK
- representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations
- airport-based operational ground staff of overseas-owned airlines
- teachers and language assistants coming to the UK under approved exchange schemes
- seasonal agricultural workers
- overseas government employees
- science and engineering graduates, and
- dependants of any of these workers.
More on Work Permits
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
Some interesting info
Americans in the United Kingdom includes people from the United States who are or have become residents or citizens of the UK as well as students and temporary workers. According to the United States Census, there are over 155,000 people of American origin living in the UK. 74.7% are White, 14.1% are Black (see African American British), 4.3% are Asian, 0.9% are Native American/ Pacific, 7.9% belong to the 'Other' group and 14.5% are Hispanics of any race. The actual number of Americans living in the UK is thought to be more than 224,000.[1]
Important links
Make some friends before you go! or ask Questions to other Americans in London.
Facebook pages
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2394645861
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2207730963
Meetup groups in the London for Americans
http://www.american.meetup.com/11/
Watch a You Tube video on Americans In London
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