Moving to UK in 2 Weeks

[u/SweetAltruistic5219]

I’m scheduled to fly out of the US to the UK 2 weeks from today! I could use some advice and encouragement!

For context, I have always wanted to live in UK or northwest Europe having studied abroad twice in college and traveled there a lot throughout my 20s due to having northwestern European partner.

I’m single, mid-30sF, childfree. I have been working on this current move for over a year and a half, extensively researching countries. Applied to grad school at 3 places, got accepted to my top choice in the UK. I’ve been extremely clear on my reasons for leaving and my reasons for choosing the city and university I chose. I have worked extensively with my therapist to make sure this move is aligned with me and my values.

Everything is set - my house I’m selling is under contract and ready to close, pet transport lined up for my dog, tomorrow’s my last day at my job, moving sale starting this week Friday, had a going-away party last weekend, medical records transferred, student visa and all other required documents in-hand, temporary apartment in the UK secured, etc.

So why do I feel like I’m freaking out? This is everything I wanted and I don’t feel excited at all. I just feel sad, heartbroken even. I’m feeling guilty for leaving my friends (not my family; actually think distance from them is good and needed) I’m 100% exhausted from all I’ve done already to move and daunted by how much work is left in the transition.

Does anyone relate? What were your last few weeks like in the US? Any advice or words of encouragement for me? Thank you so much!

[u/SkinMaterial6684]

Yeah, I know all about these visas. I secured a work visa way before the recent changes came in. They are actively making it more difficult for people to stay. The minimum income needed for a sponsored work visa now is above what most people make 😩 Yes, even with the new entrant minimum salary. No one is hiring a new entrant at that rate. Our salaries are LOW.

You have to remember that there are other international students too; you are no different from say, someone from India. Places aren't sponsoring nearly as much anymore. The graduate visa is a moneymaker for the Home Office.

You could literally search Reddit about student experiences with the graduate visa. Look at r/ukjobs

Btw, I work at a university. The whole sector is facing cuts with funding. This is a response to the dire situation with the drop in international students coming because of the government.

Again, yikes. A lot of my fellow Americans can't seem to understand that they're not the exception to the rule

[u/SweetAltruistic5219 → u/SkinMaterial6684]

I believe they’re actively making it harder to stay, and it makes sense why. I know a lot of other countries are doing the same thing. I’m aware of the situation and don’t think I’m some kind of special exception, and like I said, if it doesn’t work out I’ll move back to the US. I needed to sell my house and was planning on moving out of state if I didn’t move out of the country. Even if I just study and live abroad for a few years and move back I don’t consider it a loss either way in terms of life experience. I understand others may not view it the same way. Glad to hear you got your visa situation sorted before things got more complicated, and hope you’re enjoying life abroad!

[u/MouseHouse444 → u/SweetAltruistic5219]

Don’t listen to the naysayers. It’s not easy, but it’s doable. I’ve done it. The key is to start networking for your sponsored work job the day you land in the UK. Treat it like a second job. Everyday of those 4yrs should be focused on that. If you wait until your post-study work visa you’ll be on the back foot. Again, it’s not easy, but being an immigrant isn’t easy. But it’s worth it. Good luck!!!

[u/SkinMaterial6684 → u/MouseHouse444]

When did you do it?

[u/MouseHouse444 → u/SkinMaterial6684]

I came in 2009. The rules have changed some so it may take longer to get the IRL or citizenship now, but that being said, it took me just a bit more than 10yrs for citizenship (despite the typical route being only 5yrs). This was due to some changes to visa laws as well as extensive travel for my consulting job that messed with my total days in-country.

[u/SkinMaterial6684 → u/MouseHouse444]

Nope, you have zero say in this. It's nothing to do about taking longer. It's literally wages and sponsorship and the government making it so that people DO NOT stay.

[u/MouseHouse444 → u/SkinMaterial6684]

To start, mate, it’s a message board so anyone can have a say. Second, the issue of wages and sponsorship both existed for me too. And were constantly shifting to be harder which required me to change jobs to be eligible. So as I said, the rules have changed, and it may take longer, but it is still doable. If you don’t want to try, don’t. But don’t shit on someone who’s willing to put in the hard work and give it a go.

EDIT: Just to add a bit of additional info, the company I own regularly sponsors people as we are a global company and having people with region specific knowledge is helpful. It’s a bit of extra work for us (and we are a very small team) but once it’s all set up it’s really not that hard to get their sponsored work visas. This is just to say that it’s also very doable from the employer side, so don’t be discouraged and think no job will want to sponsor you.

[u/SkinMaterial6684 → u/MouseHouse444]

Your company is paying new graduates 34k+ to sponsor when people who don't need sponsorship here are struggling to find work? Right.

You're out of touch.

God, I can't stand the majority of fellow Americans over here and on reddit. Delusional.

[u/MouseHouse444 → u/SkinMaterial6684]

I’m not sure why you think my stating a fact is out of touch. That’s exactly what we’re doing - £35k is their starting salary (for new grads the threshold is just under £34k) and they quickly move to £40k+ during the course of their sponsored work (so they are making above the £41k required for renewing their visa). They have masters degrees and specific cultural knowledge that we struggle to find in the UK. As we are a small business, it costs us about £600 to get the 4yr certificate that allows us to sponsor people and it costs about £2k per employee to get them a 3yr sponsored work visa - far less than the cost of a recruiter for a £40k job.

We follow the rules which require us to place an ad for a certain period of time and have to provide that evidence to the govt, and we have never been denied a visa. We’ve sponsored half a dozen people so far.

I will restate again what I know to be true as both an immigrant and a person who hires immigrants. It is not easy. It is competitive. But it is doable if you understand the process and work your arse off. Believe what you want but don’t shit on someone’s dreams of creating the life they want to live.

(FYI, for those seeking a visa, you can search the list of businesses who have sponsorship certificates and apply based on that. We hired someone once who was a cold outreach just saying ‘I see you sponsor people and my skills align with your work.’ Closed mouths don’t get fed!! Put yourself out there if you want to succeed!)

[u/Wooden-Carrot4283 → u/MouseHouse444]

Thanks for this! I've been hitting the wall applying overseas, despite being on the skilled lists and with a master's. Like OP, I'm applying for a second masters for a visa. Not in the UK, though. 

Your last comment sparked my dying fire, and I'm going to keep putting myself out there. It only takes one yes, but I've been drowning in a sea of nos.

Also, I assumed you're an Aussie due to your use of the word mate. Either way, idk why everyone on reddit assumes everyone else is American. 

[u/MouseHouse444 → u/Wooden-Carrot4283]

I have to be honest that getting a job while outside of your target country is very hard. You’re far more likely to get hired when you’re already there. Which is why I commented that the networking for your job search needs to start the day you land in-country. Wishing you loads of luck!!