Help!

I'm moving to Edinburgh in March 2011 to work as a nanny for a year, and have about a million questions (and my family has about a million more). I've been in touch with a nanny/au pair agency, and they're pretty helpful, but I have a ton more questions, so figured some ex-pats could help me out!

1. Banking. How do I set up a bank account there? Should/Can I set it up online before my arrival and transfer funds into it, or do I need to do it once I'm there?

2. I'll be working as a nanny, so my days will be taken up looking after children, so what activities can I do at night? I know there's bars and whatnot, but I clearly can't drink every night if I'm looking after children all day!

3. I'm planning on applying for a visa under the Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5). Will this hinder me in applying for a Visa in the future/after the 24 month approved period? On the Visa UK site, it says I cannot get another visa after this one has expired. Does that mean another YMS visa, or a visa altogether?

4. I would like to study in Scotland (Telford College is what I'm looking at). Can I get a Visa that will allow me to work part time (in a job other than nanny'ing), and go to school? I looked on the Visa UK site, and they said I had to prove I had the funds beforehand. I'm planning on applying for scholarships and loans to go. Do I need cash available in my account, or is a loan for the amount alright?

5. What advice, insight, suggestions would you give to a Canadian coming over to spend at least a year working?

6. What are the tops sights to see?

7. Any help on cheap travel (flights) to the UK? I checked Air Canada, and threw up in my mouth when I saw the prices ($2300 one way).

8. Where else should I visit in Scotland? Where else should I visit in the UK?

I'm looking for any/all info anyone wants to provide me!

Hey!

I am a Canadian currently married to a UK Citizen in Scotland (living in the Stirling area) and tho Ive only been here a few months I can answer at least a couple of your questions

1. Banking: I was denied a bank account here without proof of a visa. I even applied for a joint account with my husband and they allowed him to open the account but wont even put my name on it until I have proper documentation to be in the UK. Unfortunately you will have to sort out ur visa first before they will grant you an account. This is frustrating trust me, I know!

2. Activities & Nightlife: Edinburgh is one of the most exciting cities in Scotland and you wont have any trouble finding things to do lol. There are events guides for free at the newstands and facebook is a really good tool to find info on local clubs, cinemas, events and concerts, museums, ghost walks, etc. You shouldnt have any trouble keeping busy

3. Youth Mobility Scheme: I too was planning on applying for that before I married my husband and they advice I recieved was that, after the 2 yr youth visa runs out you should be qualified to apply for "indefinite leave to remain" ... you will need to prove that you have lived, worked and paid taxes in the UK consistently while on your youth visa (basically confirming you are a viable citizen who can pay taxes and havent broken the law lol) and then be considered for residency in the UK from there.

4. Support Funds: I believe you simply need to show the requisite $2500 (or whatever it is) in an account in your name at least 30 days before you come to the UK. I dont think it matters where the funds come from, whether a loan, scholarship or gift, they just need you to prove you can support yourself without full time work for up to 3 months.

5. Advice: just a couple things I didnt know before I got here:
- your canadian bank card will work in almost ALL bank machines here so dont worry about exchanging cash and travelling with a wallet full of pounds ... its just as easy to get it once you get here
- you can get a really decent 'pay-as-you-go' mobile phone for under 20 quid (about $28 CDN) and vodafone service has an awesome international calling feature as well ... I can call home for less than 0.5 cents a minute! i would recommend getting a phone asap just for security and convenience in a big city like Edi

7. Flights from Canada: DONT USE AIRCANADA!!!! lol they are the most expensive by FAR and Ive never seen a good deal to Scotland with them. I have been using Redtag.ca for my last few flights here and the lowest Ive seen is around $700 CDN round trip. Expedia.com is pretty good as well, just dont go directly through AirCanada as you wont find any deals with them. Oh and beware of deals that say "$100 seat sale to Europe" etc ... ya, its $100 ticket price ... PLUS $700 taxes and you will get nailed on luggage weight allowance ... a cheap flight is really not always the most convenient, especially for a long-term stay

Hope that helps a wee bit!! Good luck with your trip, you will love it here

Cheers,
Nicole

Two quick things to add to that;
1. Barclays will let you open an account in the UK by using your passport as proof of prior residence. I had no problem, they set it up on the spot and I had my debit card within a week.

Bank of Scotland (Not Royal Bank of Scotland) also has a travel-visa-style account, but it takes up to a month to set up because you have to mail away for it rather than set it up in person.

2. Flights: Check Air Transat, I got a flight from Calgary to Manchester for $150 and then took at $40 train up to Glasgow. It's a full day, but it'll save you a ton of money.

Hi Erin,

I am a maritimer as well I am currently on a Youth Mobility Visa. But am marrying a Scottish guy Aug 2011. If you plan to stay in the UK after the 2 years are up I would suggest trying to see if the nanny agency can provide a work visa. They YMV is perfect only if you plan on marrying during the 2 years or are planning on leaving the UK at the end of the time. At the end of the 2 years you HAVE to leave the UK. you cannot transfer over to anoter visa from inside the country.

Scotland is a great place to live and I hope that you really love it here. Best of luck with all of you applications.

Mrs.Garden we are getting married up in Crieff so if you see a bunch of lost Canadians running around that would be my family...lol

*PurpleMellie*



Hi Erin,

I am a maritimer as well I am currently on a Youth Mobility Visa. But am marrying a Scottish guy Aug 2011. If you plan to stay in the UK after the 2 years are up I would suggest trying to see if the nanny agency can provide a work visa. They YMV is perfect only if you plan on marrying during the 2 years or are planning on leaving the UK at the end of the time. At the end of the 2 years you HAVE to leave the UK. you cannot transfer over to anoter visa from inside the country.

Scotland is a great place to live and I hope that you really love it here. Best of luck with all of you applications.

Mrs.Garden we are getting married up in Crieff so if you see a bunch of lost Canadians running around that would be my family...lol

*PurpleMellie*