From US to Scotland (or UK) experiences to share?

[Alexandria Lora]

Researching...nervous, but we want this very much... Just wanted to hear from anyone who has closed the distance with a move that is similar... the good and the ..ugghhh the bad please...

Thank you,
Alex

[Silviar]

I wish I could help, but I'm moving to Australia. However, I wish you the best of luck!

[Caitlin2009]

well im doing the same, and next month i gotta fully start the visa process i'll let you know how that goes!

[Alexandria Lora]

I wish I could help, but I'm moving to Australia. However, I wish you the best of luck!

Good luck to you too and thank you

[Alexandria Lora]

well im doing the same, and next month i gotta fully start the visa process i'll let you know how that goes!

Oh, I am looking at the VISA process now myself! trying not to freak out! haha Good luck to you too

[Caitlin2009]

Oh, I am looking at the VISA process now myself! trying not to freak out! haha Good luck to you too

lol i know the feeling honey trust me! thanks and good luck to you as well

[Alexandria Lora]

Jobs and sponsorships!!! Gosh... so job hunting I am doing!!!

Visa as a 6 month visitor is easy....you obtain that at immigration at the airport (that card and the officer and the stamp).

But we want to be more financially secure and steady with our move in together... so both of us are hunting for better jobs..and I am hunting for one that will allow me to become authorized to work for them....It will happen ..... we are patient..will take some time ....

[CountryGirl]

As I was going through this section I stumbled upon just the thread I needed! I too am moving to Scotland to be with my SO from the US. It's a tricky tricky process or so it seems. My boyfriend and I would like to get married, we know this much and although it would be so much easier for us to get married in the states and for him to go back to Scotland, fill out the papers and then for me to fly there....I want to see him in a kilt for our wedding so that plan is shot :/ I guess I'm going to go for the work permit...because I'll need a job for us to live together as he's still in university and only has a part time job. The visitation thing is the easiest of course, but that means you cant work or look for a job [it's actually illegal!] weird huh? I don't know what to do. It also sucks that with the work visa thing, you don't get healthcare for six months..I have a few health problems, so that will definitely be a problem. It's all so very complicated! Not too mention, throwing in the fact that I have to bring my dog with me..I have to go through so much trouble for that.

[Alexandria Lora]

Hi Countrygirl,
I definitely know what you mean and Caitlin can share some stories too! The Visa work permit process is very strict and I think that the UK is only allowing for you to obtain a work permit only if you have found a job that will sponsor you. I will be glad to share my experience and what we have chosen as a solution. Marriage is a topic for us as well, but I didn't want to rush into that yet; I love him...want the ring and babies..just taking some time. So, I eventually just opted on returning to school for two years to work on my masters degree in a well needed occupation (social worker). It is known as a 'shortage occupation' and you can find this list here: https://www.visabureau.com/uk/shorta...ions-list.aspx . Check it out as you may find something up your alley!

Anyway, school was a route for me. I will be able to work 20 hours a week during school and 40 hours a week off-semester. I have prayed very hard and feel confident about this route. It will allow me to work on my career and be able to be self-sufficient somewhat. In the end, I will have student loans until I am 100 years old.. Well I hope this helps somewhat... there are other options, its just finding the right fit for you.. Best of luck

P.S. Your wedding plans sound so nice too!! The Kilt is definite WIN! hehe )

[CountryGirl]

Well I'm only 18, so I'm not quite sure what kind of sponsor could get for a job seeing how I don't have a college education yet :/ That's the problem. I know marriage is something I really want, and it's the easiest thing to do, but getting married at 18 for me and 20 for him is a little young. I don't want to feel like I'm pressuring him just so I can get over there. I'm going to apply to Stirling University and Strathclyde University for next year..but that still doesn't get me over there for a while. I wish it wasn't so expensive to go to college there for internationals. I too will be paying off student loans until I'm 100! It sucks so bad. I'll check out this website though. Maybe I can find something. And yeahhh, a kilt is a definitely win. I think they are sooooo nice.

[kteire]

Ah, nice to see a threat about this!!
I'm moving from Canada to Scotland, not the US, but it's nice to see other people doing the same sort of move. I'm not having visa issues as of yet, being from a commonwealth country, but I know I will have a lot down the road.
Not sure if it's something that's only available to commonwealth citizens, but I'm going under a two year working holiday visa. It's something available to people aged 18-30, so that might be worth check into! My plan is to go over with that visa for 2 years, live with my SO for at least 18 months of that, and then we'll have commonlaw status recognised in Canada, UK and Ireland.
Sorry if that's not of any help though. I am so frustrated with the Irish visa system, the only other option I have is for both my SO and I to move to Scotland/UK.

[princessmeg1328]

Ah, nice to see a threat about this!!
I'm moving from Canada to Scotland, not the US, but it's nice to see other people doing the same sort of move. I'm not having visa issues as of yet, being from a commonwealth country, but I know I will have a lot down the road.
Not sure if it's something that's only available to commonwealth citizens, but I'm going under a two year working holiday visa. It's something available to people aged 18-30, so that might be worth check into! My plan is to go over with that visa for 2 years, live with my SO for at least 18 months of that, and then we'll have commonlaw status recognised in Canada, UK and Ireland.
Sorry if that's not of any help though. I am so frustrated with the Irish visa system, the only other option I have is for both my SO and I to move to Scotland/UK.

It is great to know that other people are going through similar processes! I'm starting to look into all it too, but my boyfriend lives in England.
The working holiday visa sounds great, but people from the US are not eligible for it. It was one of the first things I looked into because it sounds so great! We'll all get over to the UK one day.

[kteire]

It is great to know that other people are going through similar processes! I'm starting to look into all it too, but my boyfriend lives in England.
The working holiday visa sounds great, but people from the US are not eligible for it. It was one of the first things I looked into because it sounds so great! We'll all get over to the UK one day.

Ah sorry, that's annoying! I just assumed it would be, cause the Irish visa I got before is available to the US.
Good luck though!! Getting my visa is very dependant on me having enough funds in my bank account -_-