Working abroad- VISA questions
 

Will most likely be accepting a position that will take me to the UK from the States.

What is the process for obtaining a Visa?
What kind of a timeline should I expect?

I'll probably think of more questions as the day wears on, but for now, just the two simple ones.

TIA

It really depends on the type of work permit you'll be on. Normally the employer secures the work permit on your behalf (unless you're coming over on the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa or similar).

This is a good starting point for your research: http://www.workpermit.com/uk/uk.htm

Moderators - should this thread perhaps be moved to the UK/Ireland forum, seeing it's specifically about the UK?

For the OP - as already mentioned, it's your employer who will have to apply for your work permit. The general rule is that a work permit will only be granted if the employer can show that they tried, but failed, to fill their position with someone who already has the right to work in the UK - i.e., a UK citizen, a UK permanent resident or a citizen of a member state of the EU.

If you have already been offered a job then this probably means that your employer is fairly confident of being able to get you a work permit.

A friend of mine had UK work permits on three separate occasions, and from what I can remember it took a few weeks for the paperwork to be sorted (i.e., it wasn't a case of a few days, but neither was it a case of having to wait for months on end).

Good luck!

Also try http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk for research. HSMP is something you (the candidate) will need to apply for before applying for an Entry Clearance (visa) to a British Consulate, whilst Work Permit is something your employer will need to apply on your behalf.

Upside to HSMP is that you can work for any employer anywhere in UK (or even open your own business or work as any jobs if you choose to) w/out anyone else needing to fill any further paperwork for you (hence it is more expensive - abt £400)

Work Permit is more like a British H1B visa - you can only work for the employer who has applied for your work permit.

Happy New Year!

Like others have said, your employer will generally handle the application for the work permit. However, you will have to provide paperwork. I don't know what the UK is like but when I got my Spanish work permit I had to provide copies of all my diplomas from university and grad school (certified, not just photocopies so I would start contacting your schools now), a medical statement from my doctor stating that I didn't have colera, the plague and was not insane (got a tons of laughs from that one), a statement of good conduct from the police in the city that I lived and my previous city since I had lived in my current one for less than 2 years, and some more items. All pretty easy to get but just time consuming. My employer gave me the list of what I needed so I would ask them for it as soon as you can.

OT: Great win at the Alamo Bowl - WE ARE PENN STATE!