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Last year (September 2011- August 2012) I was lucky enough to take part in a year long study abroad programme in West London. I was on a tier 4 student visa, and managed to work in a pub for 8 months. I've come back to my University in the USA for my last year of my Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. I am finally graduating in May, and have been trying to figure out how to get back to London. I have applied to many entry level engineering jobs in the greater London area, but alas, the visa issue seems to be insurmountable. I am well aware of the job situation in the UK, but i'm hoping that with a more highly specialized degree i'll have a bit more luck? Does anyone have any advice for a 23 year old, recent graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, and EIT certification (Engineer in Training - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), on how to go about getting back to the UK, short of marrying one of my English lady friends ? I know I could try to work for a multinational company here in the USA, and hope to get transferred, but that seems like a bit of a gamble that could end in a dead end. I'd really like to try to go back as soon as possible.
Have you looked at the UK occupation shortage list? There are numerous specialities within the field of civil engineering that are in short supply. I think, realistically, you need to take a year or more to aquire one of those specialities. Only then will you have a reasonable chance of getting sponsorship for a work visa. See under 'related documents' here: UK Border Agency | How to employ migrants to do jobs on the shortage occupation list
The way it works is: you find a company who wants to employ you then they apply for your visa. You need to do this from your home country - you cannot go as a tourist and change status in-country. You could go on a brief trip to the UK for an interview but these days that would probably be conducted via video/phone etc. In theory, you can get a job even if it's not on the shortage list but the company would have to prove they could not find any suitable person in the whole of the EU so that's unlikely to happen. You may have to find work with a civil engineering firm in the US for a few years to build up your experience so that you are considered worth the hassle of getting a visa for. An applicant with both relevant experience and qualifications is always going to have the best chance of getting that visa.
I lived there as a student, making £6/hour at a pub... granted, I had savings, but I was able to work it out!
Do you really want to live like a student while you're working as a full time professional engineer living in London? Sorry, what I meant is....can you afford to have a good life and still live in central London? When I say 'a good life', I mean things such as: no need for a roommate, money to go out on weekends (dinner/drinks), extra money to buy non-essentials once in a while (nice clothes, ipod, runners, gym membership etc.), go on holidays etc all while being able to afford rent/mortgage and then have some money left over for savings????
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? I know I could try to work for a multinational company here in the USA, and hope to get transferred, but that seems like a bit of a gamble that could end in a dead end. I'd really like to try to go back as soon as possible.
