How to join my partner in London for a couple years

Member since 14 April 2020

hcpetersMember14 April 2020 04:11:25

Hello everyone, my name is Hannah.

I'm currently a junior at the University of Iowa, majoring in Communication Studies. Though I have a 3.6 GPA, I have no professional experience in my field yet; all the jobs I've had have been in retail, nannying, or the food industry. This leads me to the complicated problem I have found myself in:

As a sophomore, I studied abroad in London for the academic year. During this time, I met my boyfriend, and since then we have been doing long distance for just under 1.5 years. He plans on doing his PhD in London, which will last around 4-5 years, and we would like to live together in the city while he finishes his schooling.

I have stalked the UK government's website for any possible ways that I can make this happen. It seems that the only realistic solution would be to obtain a work visa- though my inexperience makes me feel that I am very unlikely to be hired/sponsored by a British company.

So if anyone has any tips or advice or resources that could potentially help me find a way to be in London for a couple years, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you so much for your time.

Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

Member since 15 September 2015

CynicUK/Netherlands Expert14 April 2020 07:51:12

8034

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

Your post comes down to the question as to whether you'll find work in the UK. It could also fall into 2 different schemes; I'll try and deal with both:

Currently - It depends; if you have a skill that's in short-supply and appears on the shortage occupation list link, then your chances are quite high (once we are rid of the Coronavirus). It follows that if you can't qualify for a job type on that list, that you have virtually no chance of getting a work visa for anywhere in the UK. So if your plan is to move this year then check out the link and read the lists and you will have your answer.

Future - You should also be aware that the UK Government were reviewing their Immigration policy as a consequence of Brexit and have issued new rules that will come into effect from 1 Jan 2021; this link will take you straight to the UK Gov website that has the details.

Perhaps your boyfriend could do his PhD stateside?

If you have any further specific questions, please come back to us.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team