I want to go back to England for good

Hi everybody,

I just came back from England a couple of days ago as it was the end of my Working HolidayMaker Visa. I am really depressed though about being back in Canada and I want to go back to England to live. I don't see any way I can do that. I made friends there that I am missing so badly and a potential relationship as well. Do any of you know any way I can get to live and work in England? I know there's a HSMP program but I don't meet the minimum requirements for the income band (27,000 pounds!). I meet the educational and work experience requirements though. Going there as a student is one option I suppose but you can't work full time if you do that.

Any advice please because I am really depressed about it and want to live there so bad! Thanks.

Hiya Nadia,

I was just wondering if you went through a program to get your visa, and how hard was it to get, what type of work etc. lol. Im saving my money to go to england hopefully next spring and ive been thinking of going for a working holiday. I also have some friends id like to be with

are you eligible for an Ancestry Visa? Its a 4 year visa that allows you to stay and apply for leave to remain I believe.

If you have a grandparent who was born in the UK you may be eligible.

murtle, I think working holiday visas are pretty easy to get. When I went to Scotland earlier this year for a visit, we stopped in one restaurant for dinner one day, and I think only one server was a Scot. The rest were Commonwealthers on working holiday visas. I'm sure the website is linked around here somewhere for the info.

Murtle, the visa I went on is a pretty easy one to get. You need to be between 17-30 years old, it's issued for a period of 2 years but you can work only 12 months out of 24. You may break up the work months or you can work it consecutively. The visa is non-renewable (no extensions) and it's granted once in a lifetime only. Here's the website where you can get more information:

http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/workin ... maker.html?

You need to have some money in your account to qualify but it's nothing impossible. They just want to know that you can support yourself until you find work etc. The visa itself costs around $200 I think. Good luck with it!

Hi Reba,

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, no I have no British ancestry. From what I can gather, the only visas that even remotely apply to me are work permits, HSMP and if I marry/am engaged or in a long term relationship with a British citizen.

I can't get a work permit because I believe you need to find an employer who will sponsor you. They can only sponsor you if your profession is one that is in demand there and they need to prove that a British citizen can't do the job they are offering you.

The HSMP visa, you need to score 65 points on to qualify. I only score 55 so that's out.

Why does it have to be so impossible!

so you can't apply for a fiancee or partner visa?

Hi Reba,

Well, I'd like to apply for the unmarried partner's visa but you have to be living together 2 years for that. The fiancee visa is too restrictive as they expect you to get married within 6 months! We don't want to rush to get married just so we can stay in the same country. Can I go live with him in England and not work for 2 years? I understand you can live there for 6 months at a time, so can I go for 6 months then come back to Canada for a bit then go back again till we reach the 2 year mark?

HIya Nadia~

What is your ancestry? If you have parents or grandparents who were born in an EU country, you may be eligible for citizenship in that country. My parents were born in Holland and I obtained Dutch citizenship prior to moving to the UK. No worries about visas!

What is your profession?

oohmercyme, how I wish I had the right ancestry! Unfortunately, I don't have the ancestry to qualify me for that type of visa. I just sit and envy people when I hear them say their parents are from Europe or England. SIGH. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and French. I work at the University of Toronto in an office budgeting financial grants given to professors to conduct their research. So my main experience lies in budgets, invoicing and purchase ledger. I have a pretty strong CV. I am looking for jobs online now to see if I can land one where the employer is willing to get me a work permit. Alternatively, if I can figure out a way to earn $14,000 more than I do now, I'd qualify for the HSMP visa. You have to score 65 points and where I am falling short is on income. I've got the education and work experience.

I'm not sure you can stay there for 6 months at a time. I think backing and forthing is frowned upon. Especially if you're doing it just to circumvent the immigration laws. How will you support yourself if you have no job or income? They *will* ask you this when you get there and plan to stay several months.

You think the UK fiance visa is restrictive? The US one you have to be married within 90 days! 6 months is generous!

Trying to find an employer there is probably your best bet, if you don't want the fiancee visa.