I want to move to England but where do I start?

[jackuk778]

I'm from America and want to move to England within the next 8-12 years. I'm thinking of going to college for something related to photography. Would a degree in this field be good enough to get a job and qualify for citizenship in the UK? What tier system would I be placed under? Is an arts-related degree a bad move to make as far as gaining citizenship in England/UK is concerned?

[[iD]]

I'm from America and want to move to England within the next 8-12 years. I'm thinking of going to college for something related to photography. Would a degree in this field be good enough to get a job and qualify for citizenship in the UK? What tier system would I be placed under? Is an arts-related degree a bad move to make as far as gaining citizenship in England/UK is concerned?

A lot changes in 8-12 years time mate. I'd suggest do something you love and then check this forum after 8 years and see what you can do. They change immigration rules every next week nowadays so I wouldn't hold my breath

[jackuk778]

Ok fair enough. Please allow me to change my question a bit:

I think going to college is almost always a great choice to make for everyone and defintely want to study something that I love. However moving to England is a top priority in my life so I definitely want to choose to study something that will not only be fun and hopefully yield a good job but also something that puts me in a good position for immigration later.

So let's say I want to move to England this year. Would a degree in a photography related field, like maybe a general visual arts type of degree, be adequate to get a job and qualify for citizenship in the UK? What tier system would I be placed under currently? Is an arts-related degree currently a bad move to make as far as gaining citizenship in England/UK is concerned?

Thanks!

[PaperPusher]

It doesn't work like this: move - get a job - become a British citizen.

Tier 2 may be the route for you, but for that you need sponsorship, and to get sponsored no UK/EEA national or settled person is available to do the job.

You need to look at the job market and see what is out there.

Short term you could consider studying in the UK (Tier 4), but that may not get you on a path that leads to settlement and then citizenship.

At the moment graduate unemployment is high, so UK residents and nationals may be competing for jobs you may want.

[wunder]

Would a degree in a photography related field, like maybe a general visual arts type of degree, be adequate to get a job and qualify for citizenship in the UK?

H-m-m, hello again!
What happened? I thought you could get citizenship by descent?

And to answer your question, it is not - unless you are Annie Leibovitz.

[jackuk778]

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I do have a lot more questions. Is there some sort of move to the UK for dummies manual floating around the internet.

It doesn't work like this: move - get a job - become a British citizen.

Ok, actually I have very little idea about how that works. I was guessing that in order to become a UK citizen I'd need to first obtain a degree and then apply for a job in England and then go through whatever process the government has whereby I have to prove that I have a degree and have employment lined up?

What is the easiest, most common way that American's become UK citizens?

[Blackwater1]

Love is forever/at least for 2 yrs in UK because of austerity measures.. find an EU partner.

[jackuk778]

Love is forever/at least for 2 yrs in UK because of austerity measures.. find an EU partner.

I would never marry someone just to get into the UK but let's say I did marry someone who is by coicidence from the EU, but not the UK. Would that make me elligible to live in the UK? Is it easier for someone from the EU to move to the UK then it is for someone from the usa?

[ElenaW]

Love is forever/at least for 2 yrs in UK because of austerity measures.. find an EU partner.

I would never marry someone just to get into the UK but let's say I did marry someone who is by coicidence from the EU, but not the UK. Would that make me elligible to live in the UK? Is it easier for someone from the EU to move to the UK then it is for someone from the usa?

Yes and yes.