Argh! Frustrated! Youth Mobility Visa

I (23) am planning on moving to live and work in the UK. My girlfriend (21) lives there (London) and is a UK citizen.

I've been with her for over 2 years. And my main reasons to moving there is to marry her and start a family. To get a marriage license, I have to prove that I can support myself and my spouse financially. Meaning, I need to show that I have a job.

I would like to know what would be the cheapest/fastest way to be able to go there and work.

I already know about Work Permits but UK companies are reluctant to give these out.

Let me know if there are alternate ways for me to start WORKING then living in the UK.

My question is regarding the Youth Mobility Visa. Can I fly to London mid-May (to make it for her Birthday, since I missed it 2 years in a row) and apply for this visa (or any sort of visa) while in the UK that allows me to stay longer and allows me to work in London?

If I cannot apply for a Youth Mobility visa, is there any other way I can get to London (mid May) and be able to stay past 6 months and then be able to seek employment (not Work Permit as I am not qualified enough).

If I go to the UK with a Youth Mobility Visa, can I get the employer I work for to sponsor me and provide me with a Work Permit and extend my stay?

I really really need all the help I can get

Thanks

Sorry, I'm not the most knowledgeable person on the subject but having a thread of my own no one's replying to, at least some answer is better than nothing.

You cannot apply for the YMS from England. You have to do it from Canada, I'm in the process now to go for July. So if you have the bank money in good standing now, submit the forms today and you can probably make it. However, with the YMS you cannot switch to another visa while in England, even when the YMS expires. You have to come back to Canada and apply or you WILL be denied.

So yes you can have an employer get you a work visa, but you still have to come back to Canada and submit it.

As for if there are any visas you can apply for while still in England, no idea. Someone else will have to help but I figured I'd give you a headstart.

So basically I can't think of a way you can get there in May and be able to stay, while working.

You can get a fiancee visa or unmarried partner (if you've lived together two years), but the I think the thing is you can stay for six months (the normal time) without being able to work and then you go through some more forms or something when you're actually married.

Best of luck, let me know how you make out. I'm 20 and going over to be with my soon-to-be 25 year old boyfriend. Trying to make sure I can get there for his birthday in July.

I would advise you not to go about it that way. I know that it would be nice to see her for her birthday, but with a little bit of patience and money you could secure yourself a 2 year YMS visa, move there, get working, and then sort out permanent residence through marriage after a little while.

Once you have had a Tier 5 visa (YMS) you will not be eligible for any other work visa, or a fiance visa. Anyone who is more knowledgeable than I am correct me if I am wrong but the only possible routes are marriage, or if you can meet the financial requirements a study permit.

I would say that the likelihood of you being able to secure a work permit in this economy is slim. You may have a better chance if you are a highly skilled individual working in a field that is in demand, but otherwise I think the YMS given your age is the best possible solution. Finding work in the UK is very difficult right now, and in particular this is true for foreign nationals.

Generally speaking, negotiating with immigration can be a difficult process, so it is best to go down a proper path from the start. I have personally experienced the difficulties of a poorly planned immigration and it can be drawn out, less than ideal and very stressful. Get your visa issued, enter the country properly (i would advise against telling them that you plan to stay permanently as you may be held up), and then sort out the rest once you get here.

Best of luck to you!

DT

Okay so I've applied for the YMS visa last week because it took so eff'ing forever for my passport to be renewed and sent to me. I was told that I should have it ready for a May 31 flight and I have seen other people on CanuckAbroad getting theirs in a few days. It's the 28th and the SWAP office isn't open on weekends. I haven't heard any word about my passport. I don't even know where it is anymore. I was told I would get an e-mail from SWAP saying that the UK consulate has received my passport, but I have not received anything. I called my TravelCuts where I started my SWAP process and the manager told me that they do not email me about my passport until it has been processed.

I'm in Toronto and I have finished my biometrics appointment and had my application, documents, picture, and passport mailed out. (I was told same day delivery to Ottawa).

I have not idea what is happening to my application and I am more than certain I cannot get to London in time for her birthday. Hell, even that flight price went up by an extra $200.

Is there any one who can tell me how I can find out the status of my application or where it is? I don't even know if they have received my application and passport.

I am very nervous as I start training at my UK job in the first week of June. And my girlfriend was looking forward to my attendance at her birthday party as we have been apart for 2 years now.

Any advice or anything to sooth my mind?

Thanks for those who have replied.

Hi,

Our visas took a week to process. Overall, pretty quick. However, they recommend you don't book a non-refundable flight until you receive your passport back.

Hope it worked out for you.