HEyHEY in the U.K.?

[HEyHEY]

Hey guys, I'm dabbling in spending time in the U.K. and I was wondering if anyone there knows of the kind of work permits available. I know I qualify for an ancestral permit, but it would be a pain to have birth certificates re-issued. So, I'd like to work for a year at least, with a possible option to continue.
Any advice on what I should be applying for?

Also I'm a Canadian citizen.

I know it may be silly to ask British people this, after all why the hell would you need a work permit to work in your own country?

But I'm just hoping someone may know.

[SmokingJacket]

1. What's an ancestoral permit?

I have relatives there; I'd love it if I qualified for something.

If you're within a year of graduating from a college, you can get a work permit with no trouble at all. I did that. But that was a while ago.

[HEyHEY]

4. Oops! THanks for pointing that out!

[HEyHEY]

6. Pardon, it's a permit that if you have grandparents born in the UK

You can get a four year permit.

[SmokingJacket]

7. Wow, I didn't know about that....

I have a couple of those.

Hmm, might have to rethink plans...

on edit: only applies to Commonwealthers, though...

[tenshi816]

2. I think you can get a short-term (like a couple of years)

work permit because Canada is part of the Commonwealth. I'm not 100% on this though. The only reason I know anything at all about it is that I once knew someone who came here from Toronto on that basis - it's just that it was about 10 years ago and I don't know if the regulations are still the same or not.

Edited to say that if you check the UK Home Office website, there might well be information there that will help you.

[HEyHEY]

5. Good site, very helpful - thanks!

[babylonsister]

3. HeyHey, you might want to check out Logan's blog here:

http://lifeintheyuck.blogspot.com/
He's a DUer and I see he has a link about work permits. I think he's from the US.
Also, you can write him w/questions or comments.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

8. Here is a link from the British High Commission in Ottawa

http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1107295258250

It has information on visas and work permits.

I know that getting the documents for an ancestral permit is a pain but it does seem the easiest option. You get four years and if you want to stay longer it's a mere formality to renew it.

To get a work permit another way means to apply for a job in Britain and your new UK-based employer will apply for a work permit on your behalf.

[RogueTrooper]

9. Try Here

This is quite natty...

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1020786334922

Being a Canadian, and thus part of the commonwealth, should confer you with some advantages.

[HEyHEY]

10. Wow, you guys have a kick arse immigration system

I sent an email to them yesterday and got a full, personalized response today. They anwered all my questions. I think I'll go for a holiday visa.
HEyHEY could soon be working at a media outlet near YOU!

[Anarcho-Socialist]

11. Good luck!

:)

[lockdown]

12. kick arse immigration system

Rare praise indeed! :D

Good luck, you'll love it. Just stay clear of Stoke and Wolverhampton, twin points of hell. ;)

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. Shurely shome mishtake?

Government departments are normally minefields of bureaucracy and incompetence by external computer contractors. If you've found an opening, take it quick. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy it here.

I love your signature picture.

[HEyHEY]

14. This is what I was expecting;

"Government departments are normally minefields of bureaucracy and incompetence by external computer contractors."

That is what it's like in Canada and I've always been lead to believe bureaucracy in the U.K. is even worse. I'm wrong it appears.

Thanks!

[Taxloss]

15. Welcome to the United Kingdom!

There's talk of a meetup that you'll be obliged to attend if you're in the London area, but sadly the organisational force behind it is me, and I'm chronically lazy.