What type of visa a Canadian need to work in the UK?

I got an offer from a UK university. As a Canadian, what types of visa I should use to be able to work in the UK? My main concern is that if there are any constraints in terms of how fast you should apply for visa and start your appointment as a non-UK/EU citizen. I was told that I have to start within 6 months (from the time of advertisement), but I would like to defer the starting date if possible. Any suggestions and comments would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

My initial comment is for you to ask the institution in the UK if they will allow you a later start date, however you've said that you must start within 6-months.

So there isn't much of choice really (unless you get a deferral from them) - you have to do what you have to do if you want that position & start when you're hired under the terms of the tenure - either accept it or reject it.

Have you accepted the position yet?

Of course you need to get the visa (possibily a tier 2 or tier 5 visa if it fits your criteria) similar to what was discussed in the following thread linked below.

tier-2-vs-tier-5-and-expiration-of-sponsorship-certificate-vt11079.html

Is the UK institution not be helping you with the visa process & paperwok - have you asked them

Out of interest, are you taking up a tenure position or are you/will you be a visiting fellow or on an academic exchange

- all the best to you

The processing times of 6 months are true if you need to apply under Tier 2 general and that the university is not on the sponsors list. If they're already registered as sponsors the process takes around 3 months depending on whether they need to conduct the Labour Resident Market Test or not. We would check this with the university first. If they're on the list, they probably have lawyers who can help you with the application.

Besides Tier 2 general, you could apply for UK Ancestry if you have a grand-parent born in the UK or under Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme if you're a Canadian citizen (or citizen of another Commonwealth country) aged less than 31 years at the date of application. Both visas gives you the right to live and work in the UK (5 years under UK Ancestry and 2 as YMS visa holder).

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
Members of the Quebec Bar
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
www.visa-wise.co.uk

further reading for you in the links below from the LSE & University of Cambridge - possibly related to your situation that may fill in some of the blanks

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/staff/hu ... rmits.aspx

http://www.hibrain.net/hibrain/abroad/d ... _visas.pdf

Do let us know how you made out

Many thanks Portico and Visawise. Now I'm convinced about the timeline. It seems the latest date I could start is April 2012, which is not as good as, say September, but it's better than January. Now I have to get ready for this big transition.

* To Portico, it's a lecturer position, which should be a permanent position? I don't know how their probation and 'tenure' work though.

Many thanks Portico and Visawise. Now I'm convinced about the timeline. It seems the latest date I could start is April 2012, which is not as good as, say September, but it's better than January. Now I have to get ready for this big transition.

* To Portico, it's a lecturer position, which should be a permanent position? I don't know how their probation and 'tenure' work though.

good luck - but now you have to move quickly

On the tenure or probation, maybe you should ask these questions of them, including looking through the contract that you'll be signing, or the letter of intent/offer, before signing it back.

Its a big move, my suggestion is that before you dot the 'i' cross the 't's' so to speak, maybe have a lawyer look at it first if its not satisfactory to your liking.

Did they offer you a two year position or on a term basis - my guess is there was or is a performance clause somewhere - after all they are Brits & can do things really strange, different than we Canadians.

All the best

Hi DRPHIL, I am in a very similar situation...I got an offer for a position of Lecturer in one of the top UK schools.
In my case it is clearly written in the "statement of main terms and conditions of employment" that the position is permanent...So, check the statement that they sent to you. I liked the terms and I have signed the statement, scanned and sent them...
However, now I learn that Tier 2 visa that we are going to get is TEMPORARY, for a maximum of 5 years without possibility to extend or to apply for permanent residency after 5 years (apparently these are the new rules of Tier 2 visas).
My situation is complicated by the fact that I am a permanent resident in Canada, not a citizen...so, I might end up losing my status in Canada without getting one in UK...

I dont know yet what I am going to do, but I might reconsider the decision to go to UK...the offer is good though...I dont know!!!

These new "rules" prohibiting settlement for Tier 2 workers are not implemented yet. They were part of the suggestions made by the government and presented in a public consultation that took place a few months ago.

Depending on the answers received, the government may implement these rules or not from April 2012. We don't know yet if or how they will apply them and if there will be transitional arrangements.

If you apply now, chances are that you're not going to be affected be these changes and may be able to apply for settlement in 5 years time.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Regsitered Immigration Advisers
Memebers of the Quebec Bar
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
www.visa-wise.co.uk

Thank you Visawise,
I know that the "rules" are not implemented yet. However, in the consultation document it is clearly stated that once decision will be made, the new rules will be valid for everyone who entered the country after April 2011 (not 2012). Which means, that not only the people that apply now are going to be affected, but even people that are aready in UK?
It is possible that they will not introduce the recommended changes. It is possible that they will introduce them as well...
So, in other words, no one knows what would happen to people that enter UK with Tier 2 General visas these days. The immigration situation for people that go to UK now or apply now is completely unclear.
Honestly...I don't think I should take the risk...In fact, I dont think anyone should...the immigration conditions must be CLEAR and free of uncertainties...It is too important to play games with...

What's written in the consultation paper can be implemented differently depending on the answers received and we know for a fact that there are currently many people lobbying against the proposed changes, including transitional measures. But of course if your ultimate goal is to settle in the UK after 5 years, this may not be the best route. However, there's a provision in the consultation saying that they would create a special category for some Tier 2 migrants who would be eligible for settlement provided they meet certain criteria. So there's still hope.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Regsitered Immigration Advisers
Members of the Quebec Bar
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
www.visa-wise.co.uk