visa in the UK

[AlethiaSi]

when i got over here- i was supposed to get a stamp in my passport that permits me to work since i am a student- however- we were not informed that this was supposed to happen- and it did not. so now- we're stuck without any kind of working paper type thing- and i've been looking for jobs that pay under the table so i don't have to worry about my visa (it was going to be like 300 and they only really offered it to people that were doing internships b/c they had to get one- since i'm poor and its mad expensive here- my girls and i are trying to get jobs waitressing or bartending) so do you guys know anything about this process or have any advice? i went around today and got some info- hopefully that will lead me somewhere- but i was def looking for more info- thanks!!
~maggie

[Lady Pi Phi]

My advice would be contact your consulate. Or contact the ministry that deals with employment, etc. Don't know the name off the top of my head.
Decedance and Navane might be able to offer more help.

[tunatartare]

What about the U.S. Embassy in London? Would they be able to help you at all? Good luck Maggie!

[AchtungBaby80]

When I was considering moving to the UK, I had to line up a sponsor in order to be able to stay longer than 3 months. However, since you're a student (studying abroad??), I don't think you have to do that. Go to the embassy.

[decadence]

Maggie, I pm'd you.

[queequek]

My suggestion to you:
try to find the nearest UK Embassy there (might be in Dublin or in Paris), and explain your status and your desire to change the status from visitor into work visa. This might be more helpful than talking to the US embassy in London.

Good luck! Keep us updated.

[navane]

Maggie,

Please contact your American university's Study Abroad Officer . Their very job is to assist you in matters such as this. If that fails, contact a British Embassy (you may have to telephone long distance to one the US) or phone the British Home Office (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/). You may have to exit the country and then re-enter in order to obtain the appropriate work permission.


The rules regarding work permisson for foreign students in the UK changed midway through my time there. At the time I entered the UK, I did discuss my desire to work with the immigration officer. After showing that I had money to support myself without working, he said I was approved to work and stamped the passport. Curiously, the only stamp he made was one saying that I was "granted leave to remain until 30 November 2003 without recourse to public funds. Work (including [illegible smear of stamp] must be approved" That doesn't sound like work approval to me, but he said I was good to go and did not indicate that I had to register with a local JobCentre or anything.

Boy, where is UKAXO when you need her?? She used to work at the US Embassy in London.......

Anyway, definitely contact your study abroad officer to find out what steps to take next.

.....Kelly

[UKAXO]

Maggie,

I'm rarely on GC these days, but your post has been pointed out to me - I'll keep it brief:

Please please please - DO NOT accept work "under the table" in the UK! UK immigration officials are notoriously NOT fond of that. If you are caught (and I know firsthand of several people who have been), you *WILL* be thrown out of the country - no questions asked. Please do not work illegally, unless you are willing to never be able to return to the UK! Because that is exactly what will happen.

The US Embassy CANNOT help you with UK immigration matters, nor can they offer you employment as a US citizen under your current circumstances. I would suggest that you visit the Home Office website that Kelly has already posted, and go from there. The Home Office is in Croydon (south of London) and you may eventually have to pay them a visit - but look at their website first and you might save yourself some time.

I can't offer much else in the way of advice, but if you want to talk some more about it - or anything else to do with the UK - please send me a PM, as I may not have a chance to find this thread again.

Good luck!

Caroline

[AlethiaSi]

wow you guys always come through for me! thank you so much for the info. even though it is soooo tempting to try to work under the table since i'm so broke i know that i don't want to get kicked out (even though i do want to go home lol- bad joke sorry ) so i'm going to look into getting this visa- sigmachicard said that BUNAC could give me a visa- but its like $250 and that sucks- and i'd have to re enter the country and i don't plan to leave the UK until april when i go on spring break to paris, nice and rome (antoher reason i need a job) so i'm not sure whats going to happen now i have an interview at this place around the corner from me- but now i'm not so sure about it... i'll keep you updated- and as always - thank you!!!!
~maggie

p.s. my best friend christine just signed up- rottenred2- so say hi if you see her on yay thanks guys

[navane]

Originally posted by AlethiaSi
sorry ) so i'm going to look into getting this visa- sigmachicard said that BUNAC could give me a visa- but its like $250 and that sucks- and i'd have to re enter the country

Having had a BUNAC work visa myself, I believe that they will ONLY issue BUNAC work visas to people CURRENTLY IN THE US. That is, they will NOT give you one if you are already in the UK. The rules may have changed, but that's how it was the last time I checked. The wesbite is http://www.bunac.org (Edited to Add: though, BUNAC is a really awesome program...you may want to look into it for another time!)

I *suppose* you could get around that rule by applying for the BUNAC work visa and having it sent to your parent's house in the US. Then, they could mail it to you in the UK. However, it takes a couple of weeks to get the visa (and then add the 10 days time it takes to mail something from the US) *and* you'll still have to exit the country and then re-enter with your BUNAC visa. Plus, if it gets lost in the mail you're out of luck.

Again, you should really check with the British Home Office as the solution may be as simple as taking a 3 hour train ride to Paris and back, this time requesting the work stamp on your way back in.

Good luck!

.....Kelly

[AlethiaSi]

i've been researching this because i got a job at the turnmills (www.turnmills.co.uk) and with my student status here in the UK- i can work max 20 hours a week- so i have to get a temporary insurance number (similar to social security #) to get the checks and stuff- so i'm wicked excited about that- i worked last night- from 8 till 3:30- it was crazy! this club is out of control and the boss loves me and my best friend (which is good b/che's kind of scary lol) i guess this place is one of the top ten bars in london- which i htink it hysterical that i got a freakin job there bartending haha- i worked at one of the main bars too.... anyway- thank you all so much for the advice and help- p.s. i'm not so homesick anymore ! thanks!
~maggie

[decadence]

Congratulations . PM heading your way.