We are looking at refuge in the UK

[MrChupon]

My girlfriend will be graduating university with a Microbiology degree with Decemeber. I, unfortunately don't really have much in the way of education or skills. I do have enough money though, that I wouldn't be looking at needing any government assistance.

What do you think our chances of getting into the UK would be?
-If she got accepted to a job there
-If we were married, single?

Is there some way we can just promise the gov't not to use any of their assistance? I know that is why countries are so picky about immigration, and we would be glad to swear it off. We are young.. but we have money.

Thanks,
Chupon

[BearFlagDemocrat]

1. Check it out

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/content/ind/en/home.html

[Furrvis]

2. UK Immigration

It's much easier to immigrate from the US to the UK than vice-versa and science degrees are always in demand. The whole process is relatively straightforward--get a job and you're in. You can change status far easier once you're there too without it being a big problem as it is here. Being an American isn't a big problem--because of debates around asylum law, the key concerns are with Middle Eastern and Asian immigration.

One of my friends is a top immigration lawyer in the UK if you ever need help, although I really, really doubt it. I'm thinking of going back there myself--I'm English. I don't think I can take four more months of this.

There is a lot of talk in my department about Canada this morning.

[MrChupon]

3. So if my girlfriend gets a science job

can I tag along with my relative lack of skills? At least on some sort of temporary visa? And then find work or education in the UK and maybe apply for something more permanent?

[LibLabUK]

7. Hmm...using microbiology degrees in the UK..

Check Hospitals (www.nhs.uk) and the Health Protection Agency (www.hpa.org.uk) for jobs for microbiology graduates. They're going to be the big employers.

Here's an example of the kind of thing: Microbiologist, HPA £17,230-£21,365 works out to be roughly $31,000 - $38,000.

The other option is to apply to a big pharma company like Pfizer, they have a huge research establishment at Sandwich in Kent. Same goes for Astra-Zeneca and GlaxoSmithKline (http://www.gsk.com/join/uk-home.htm).

If you can manage it try to stay away from the South-East of England and London in particular, the cost of property and living is very high.

I hope that that's of some help to you....

[RogueTrooper]

8. You might want to run up the aisle with her before hand

and you will probably need to prove that you can support yourself in the UK.

www.democratsabroad.org.uk may have some friendly advice for you.

[non sociopath skin]

4. By all means, look to emigration, Chupon, but be warned ...

.. you'll be moving to a country where the only viable opposition to Dubya's greatest ally and soul-mate is a Neocon party led by a man who seeks to be even closer to the Republicans. Many of his party members seriously seek to disassociate the UK from "leftist" Europe in favour of joining an expanded NAFTA.

There is definitely a case to be made for staying in the US and continuing the fightback. I fear that little will change here while the Neocons rule in the US.

The Skin

[Cascadian]

5. The Labour Party once championed the working class.

What the hell happened? Tony Blair strikes me as a man who is bent on making Labour a mirror image of the Tories. I also suppose they will want the party to leave the Socialist International before too long.


John

[non sociopath skin]

6. I doubt whether they still attend or pay their subs, Cascadian.

There used to be a famous political story about a Congressman explaining American politics to a visiting Brit. "Well," he says, "There's the Republicans. They're a little like your Conservative Party. Then there's the Democrats. Er .. they're a little like your Conservative Party, too."

Seems to me that we can turn this on its head these days, with both "New Labour" and the Tories being "a little like your Republican Party." Whatever the strengths and weaknesses of Kerry and his campaign, he was issuing a clear invitation to Americans to move centre-leftwards. Next year, we won't have that option.

Like I said, we need a new party of the left. Now!

The Skin

[MrChupon]

9. I understand

and while I dont have the best understanding of UK politics, I understand this.

I guess (and call me out if I'm wrong here) that at least I view the UK as a place where religious bigotry is not so prominent.

I don't mind fighting against right wingers when it comes to war or economic policy, but I'm damn sick of it being co-opted by gay marriage or abortion. I'd just like to be in a country where those issues won't overwhelm the national discussion, so we can focus on important things.

[LibLabUK]

10. Well...

If a politician here were to end a speech with "God bless the United Kingdom and God bless you" he'd be laughed back to his constituency, deselected and probably sectioned under the mental health act.

[Guy_Montag]

11. That genuinely made me laugh out loud

so true especially the sectioned part.

[Mr Creosote]

12. Our national discussion

is overwhelmed by fox hunting.

[non sociopath skin]

13. You have a point there, Chupon.

Though there's some nasty homophobia here, it's not government sanctioned, nor is it likely to be.

Hey, don't get me wrong, I'd welcome you both here. It's just that I don't want all the good guys to leave the States. Our gain would be their loss. The fightback is important!

The Skin

[sweetheart]

14. Scotland is a separate consideration

Check out the right margin on skills/opportunity: www.scotland.gov.uk

Scotland is accepting immigrants (skilled) in some circumstances.

Worst case, i think you might have to attend university in scotland
and get a degree, to stay on and become a resident/citizen.

All the details are on the website (scottish university tutition is
CHEAP, compared to american...so not such a bad thing...)