US Citizen wishing to live with UK girlfriend and work

[atraveler]

Hello, thank you all for running this forum and contributing to it. I believe I understand the overall UK immigration process but would very much like to make sure I get the relevant details straight.

I am a US citizen wishing to join my UK citizen girlfriend of two and a half years when I finish my masters in electrical engineering here in the US next May (2014). She will finish her medical degree from the University of Glasgow at the same time and start her first year of work in hospital earning approximately £22,000 the first year. I anticipate being able to find an engineering job earning the same or more, possibly in a position on the shortage occupation list. I have about $25,000 in savings and she has none.

I understand that I could apply as a Tier 2 skilled worker if I found a company which was willing/able to sponsor me, but entering as an unmarried partner seems a more stable and flexible option if we qualify and I would be eligible to work. The only point which I believe we may not qualify for is that we have not been living together for the past two years, although we have spent most holidays together and have lived together for periods of over one month and up to three both in the US and in the UK.

Thank you for any advice. I have a year before I want to move so I hope I can get this all sorted and not have to rush at any point.

[MPH80]

The 'living together' rule is mandatory for the unmarried partner visa.

in fact - it's worse than that as it has 'in a relationship akin to marriage' tacked onto the end of it. That doesn't just mean living together - it means joint responsibilities - finances, bills, kids etc.

From what you've said - you don't qualify for that.

Your options are:

Come on a tourist visa for 6 months
Find a work visa of some sort
Get a student visa
Get married and apply for a spouse visa.
Have her move to you in the US.

M.

[atraveler]

M, thanks for the reply.

I figured we wouldn't qualify for the unmarried partner visa, too bad though. Maybe two years after I moved there it would be the right answer. I know at 5 years you can try for indefinite leave to remain which is a nice achievable end game.

As a med student she has to do two years in the NHS before her moving to the US would be reasonable.

Getting married is something we aren't completely against, but I'd rather not have it be partly motivated by immigration even if it is our intent.

Work visa it is then, maybe a tourist visa initially to find work but hopefully I can accomplish that before next May.

Thanks for the advice.