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*Sorry if this is repetitive for anyone; I did a search and didn't find anything quite like this.*
We're planning on trying to relocate, preferably to England. I saw that there are several other ladies here who have done so, and I wondered if any of you (or anyone else, of course!) have any advice for relocation.
I'm not sure if he's decided whether he wants to attend school or just look for a job, but we're probably both going to be looking into universities. I prefer a theatre major. How early should we start applying for school? And for Visas?
Has anyone used a relocation service?
I'm not even sure what all to ask! Any advice would be much appreciated.
Re: Planning a Relocation
In order to move, you need a visa. In order to get a visa, you can do one of the following:
a. marry a Brit, which is what some of us did.
b. get offered a job by a specific firm which is certified to do so and has done all the work (they have to prove that they can't find anyone within the EU to do the work, so it tends to be very specialized and high level). Not many of us have done this, though several wives have husbands who have done this - so they have a visa that is dependent on their husband's job. I got my job many years ago when it was a bit easier for the companies to do this - things are cracking down quite a bit.
c. go to school - it must be accreditted and you will have to pay quite a large amount of money for the tuition as you are from out of the country. You won't be allowed to stay in the country after you finish your school years - they have now closed this avenue.
There was another avenue, but that has since closed, which was the highly skilled migrant visa.
What I would suggest is going to the UKYankee website and doing some research there - it's all there, everything you need. But do note - it's really very tough to get a visa here and is currently VERY hard to stay here...plus mighty expensive. I don't want to sound like a Debbie Downer, but most people who'd love to move over here can't do it. And p.s. do not, do not, do not use a relocation service to try to get a visa - you will only get scammed.
Ooh, and yes, I'd wondered about the marriage thing as well; we may well be married by then anyway, but that's definitely something to keep in mind!
Assuming your coming from the US (rather than an EU or commonwealth country), you probably won't be able to apply for visas until you've been accepted into school or have a job offer.
I don't have a lot of specific UK advice, since I've never lived there, but you'll probably get more responses tomorrow morning (European time).
And here's a pineapple smoothie while you wait!

Yeah, the UK is going to be tough.
If you are between 18-30 I suggest going to Australia you can get a working holiday visa and work/ travel for a year.
I did this in 2005 and loved my time there.
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/
http://www.bunac.org/usa/workaustralia/
Bio
Oh well done! Let me know if you're looking for a part time job! He he he.
There are only a couple that were missed out - you could claim refugee or asylum status. You could also be nominated by the Foundation for Science as an exceptionally talented migrant. Or you could play for Arsenal. Oh, you could also get a #1 hit in the pop charts and get a Tier 2 that way. Or you could be Canadian or Australian and have a British grandparent, or just be Canadian or Australian and be under 28.
You could also come here as an entrepreneur if you have ?250,000 to spare or an investor if you've got a couple million tucked away.
But as for just upping and moving to England, it unfortunately doesn't really work that way.
Chronically hilarious - you'll split your stitches!
I wrote a book! Bucket list CHECK!
http://notesfortheirtherapist.blogspot.co.uk