Hi! I need some advice about living in London. I had a very painful failed attempt about three or so years ago. Somehow, though, I'm still interested in giving it try again. <BR> <BR>How can I get a work permit (without marrying a Brit)? Any ideas? I appreciate any thoughts, stories, etc. Thank you! <BR>~Heather

Check with: the British consulate cosest to where you live and the US embassy in London. A great site for people studying/relocation is Transistions Abroad at www.transabroad.com. Try also to join the local British CoC, usually Brits are pretty active and you will get tips, make acquaintances and get leads.

Heather <BR>It might be best to know what nationality you are - are you American?

Hey Heather, <BR> <BR>Here's what you need: <BR> <BR>http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web...k/enter-uk.htm <BR>http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/acs/uk/work-uk.htm and <BR>http://visa.fco.gov.uk/ . <BR> <BR>HTH and good luck! <BR>Tracy

Very difficult to get a work permit if you are an American. Under EU law, first option must go to EU passport holders. American firms in Europe pay big bucks to Brit law firms to assist getting work visas for their employees. Doubt that an American with no job lined up in advance, and no Brit employer sponsoring them, would be given any consideration at all, unless they were a rocket scientist or something like that.

Hi Heather! <BR>As an above poster asked, what is your nantionality? This will make a big difference in how to go about getting a work permit. The UK will allow citizens of certain Commonwealth countries to come here and work without having a permit beforehand. This is age restricted and does have a time limit (I believe you have to be under 29 and it is for 2 years, but I am not positive). If you do not qualify under those conditions and you are an American, your best bet is to get a job with a US company that has International locations. You would be surprised at how many people do not want to live over seas! So it may be easier to find something than you think. The other option is to marry an American that is already employed over here as you are able to work with a Dependants Visa (the visa that spouses of Employment Pass holders get)!! Good for you for having the courage to try living here again! London is a fabulous city and I certainly love living here. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps and good luck!

Thank you so much for the advice! I'm off to visit the web sites right now. <BR> <BR>To answer your questions: I am American. My Grandfather was born in Wales, but then was brought to the US when he was young. Also, I'm 27. I have an education and a degree...but I have looked into post graduate studies there. However, I prefer to work.

Heather, do you have any grandparents that were born in Ireland? If so, you can get an Irish passport which will allow you to work anywhere in the European Union, including, of course, England. Also, if the grandparent was born in Northern Ireland, he/she would have had to have been born before 1922 (or it may be 1921--I'm not sure of the exact date). It takes about a year to go through. <BR> <BR>I married an Irishman (don't marry a Brit!) from N. Ireland, and when we moved there for a year, I found the UK immigration MORE difficult to move through than the U.S. I got my visa without a problem, but when I tried to get permanent residency, I was told I would lose it if I moved out of the country again, and would have to reapply when I wanted to come back. <BR> <BR>How old are you? I would check out the BUNAC or Council Travel web sites. There are visa exchange programs where students and people under 29 (I'm not sure on this age limit) can work for a limited period of time (6 months may be the limit--I did it for a summer). It would give you a chance to get a foot in the door with an employer, and maybe get sponsored.

Hi Heather, <BR> <BR>Try checking out some temp agencies. Or temp to hire. I have been told that contractors can make more money than permanents - and, you have the bonus of deciding when your 6 month contract is up, to go travel for a month or two! I have a Kiwi friend over there who has lived like this for 4 years now! He summers in Greece usually. <BR> <BR>I understand michaelpage.com is a good place to start - I put my resume up & got a call immediately - I had an interview in London in September but as I just started a new job here we talked about the possibility of moving in one year. <BR> <BR>What field are you in right now? If you are in anything hi-tech, be it computers or telecom, your chances of getting something are much much better. <BR> <BR>good luck, and keep me posted! (I might just follow your lead by next fall!) <BR> <BR <BR> <BR>Beth

Just don't live in South East London - it's a hell-hole

Why not try to get a visa as an Au pair and then you can earn a little, have board and lodging and you could study. I believe those contracts usually run for 6 months and then you can try and renew or change your visa.

Thank you, everyone for your advice. I've been visiting websites and trying to find out what my options are...so far it's tough. <BR> <BR>Tracy - do you know any services, listings or websites where I could register my services as an au pair? That is such a great idea! <BR> <BR>Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Please don't bother! I've lived here all my life and I can't wait to get out! It's overpriced, over-populated and filthy.

Poor Mel probably lives in south east London

Fodors forum <BR> <BR>I'm afraid I must be terribly unobservant. I've lived in a hell-hole some thirty years and have failed to notice it. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines

you can used to anything. But hell-hole it is and hell-hole it will stay.

Ah, but that makes me unobservant when I first came, thirty years ago. Tell you what: I'll keep a sharp look-out. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines

I would have thought keeping a sharp lookout is how you've survived thirty years there :0)

The best international matchup au pair registry I've seen (which is UK-based, coincidentally) is www.aupairs.co.uk. YOu can both post your resume (or search) and look for openings posted for those looking for au pairs and you can search by country and nationality. There is also www.nannynetwork.com; I don't know if it has international jobs or not but it does have a section listing international nanny agencies at www.nannynetwork.com/miscc.html I hope you know what being a nanny is like in terms of work, hours, and pay.

Bear in mind the much higher cost of living here. In order to have a comparable standard of living as in the States, you will need to earn approximately double the amount in dollars which you earn in the States. That means if you earn $30K in the US, you need to earn £40K in or around London to maintain something like the same standard of living. In particular, the cost of housing and driving is much higher here. It's cheaper here than Manhattan, but if you come from anywhere else in the States you will notice the difference....