In this installment of “Oneika Answers” a reader has a question about moving to the UK and finding work.
Dear Oneika,
About 8 months ago I moved to a new city to continue my degree. I don’t plan on making this city my home, but I am interested in considering moving to London after I graduate as a possible option. I have visited London before and have family and friends in the city, however the transition to living there is a whole other ball game. As a Canadian what do you suggest I do in order to start the transition? What popular and reliable job sites should I visit to look for work? How long is the process to apply for a work permit? When is the right time to apply for a work permit?
Expat life is EXHILARATING and I love it, so I’m always thrilled when I get questions from those wanting to take the plunge!
Where you will start your job search online will ultimately depend on the industry you’re in. But for the UK, popular international online job banks like Reed, Monster, Indeed, and eFinancial Careers are always a good place to start.
The work visa might be the trickier part, however. Working in the UK if you don’t have an British/European Union passport, or are not married/next of kin to someone with one, can make taking up residence and obtaining employment here near impossible. (N.B. Commonwealth citizens who can prove UK ancestry can apply for a visa that, if approved, allows them to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years).
That said, Canadian citizens under the age of 31 can apply for the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa, which will allow you to live and work unrestricted in the UK for up to two years. That’s the visa I have! The process is short: from application to receiving the visa usually doesn’t take longer than a month. I paid extra for rush service and had my visa within 10 days.
People from Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Monaco, and Taiwan are also eligible for this visa. Check out more details on the program here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/tier5/youthmobilityscheme/.
[What about if you’re American?! Sadly, Americans are not eligible for the Tier 5 working visa but they can apply to Bunac — the organization runs an internship program which allow Yanks intern in the UK for up to 6 months.]
If you’re over the age of 31, you can potentially come to work in the UK on a student visa (which will allow you to work a limited amount of hours, but you do have to be registered as a student in a school here) or you can apply directly to jobs here in the hopes that they will sponsor you for a visa (though realistically, this is very difficult).
In recent years industries such as nursing and social work actively recruited and sponsored non-UK/EU nationals for visas to work in the UK. However, in recent years I believe this has slowed down a fair bit due to the weak economy.
Since you’re still a university student, you may also want to take a look at AIESEC — it’s an international internship program that provides students all over the world with the opportunity to gain paid work experience in up to 113 countries (the UK being one of them).
Have you ever worked abroad before? What other advice do you have for working in the UK?
For more information on the terms of UK working visas see: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/
50 Comments
I’ve always wanted to be an expat! One day…
Luckily you are married to an Argentinian and have that opportunity to go live in South America! So jealous!
I’m proud to be an American…except for when I look into working in the UK or EU. Then it’s like an albatross around my neck! The most realistic chance I have is to work for an American company with offices abroad.
Ugh, it’s unfortunate, isn’t it! It’s not much better for Canadians either, I’m afraid!
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Hi Oneika, after reading your blog it had made it want to work even harder to travel and move overseas to (London, UK or Paris, France) even more. Even though I;m still in the process of finishing my degree in computer science I;m thinking of changing to become a teacher myself, your definitely an inspiration and a role model for a lot of us international folks who want to live and work overseas. Do you have any advice? I would so greatly apprecaite on how to get started with this process and what to do. thank you
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Hi Oneika, I would like to ask you for some advice related to seeking a job in London. I’m from Chile (with european passport) and I’m very enthusiastic about living first in London and then in Denmark. But my friend in London told me that I shouldn’t go there if I don’t have already a job for me. So, now this is my biggest concern. Can you help me with this? Do you think the same as my friend? Is really an option looking for a job on the online job banks?
Thanks for your tips
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