work in UK

[1mouse53]

I am absolutely fed up with the states, their crappy housing market and the age discrimination. My wife and I had to sell our home and rent as payments for homes are outrageous with their tricky financing. My work fired me , even though I am well qualified in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural and troubleshooting home repairs now that I am 55. I have family in the The Basque Country, but wonder how hard it is to get work in the UK? Does one need to have work already lined up and get a work visa? Is one area better than the other, will I get to meet actual members of AB, ( ha,ha ). I am not looking to be a burden, but find a better way of life. Working is the only way I know.

[spudqueen]

The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, doesn't it? Britain has it's own problems, the housing market, age discrimination etc etc. Many people from Britian are emigrating to the likes of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc.
Not much practical information, but something for you to think about.

[realaleman]

Hi
My advice is to land a job here before you come, cos at your age its difficult to find one here. I'm 58 and a well experienced engineer, but age discrimination is rampant and Ive been unemployed for years.
realaleman

[Buenchico]

You've posted your question just one day after the UK's new immigration system came into operation. It's a lot easier to understand but, for many people, harder to get in. See here:
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/n ewsarticles/Newpointslive
(For further information, click the 'Applying under Tier 1' link, at the top right).

Your problem in getting in might lie with the areas in which you're qualified. Only 'shortage skills' will get you sufficient points for entry. Since the demise of the USSR, many former 'eastern bloc' countries have now joined the European Union. Apart from a few temporary transitional arrangements, any EU citizen has the right to live and work in any EU state. That means that, for example, the UK has been almost swamped by plumbers, builders and electricians from Poland, Hungary, Lithuania and other new EU countries. Employers will only be allowed to sponsor someone from outside the EU if there are no EU citizens available for employment which, given the vast numbers of EU workers who're already here, would seem to be unlikely in your case.

Age discrimination is illegal in the UK but it can be hard to prove and it certainly still occurs (even though there have been some improvements since the legislation came into operation).

Chris

[Buenchico]

Just a thought:

I notice that your post refers to 'their' housing market, rather than 'our' and that you've got family in the Basque country. I'm wondering whether perhaps one of your parents was Spanish? If so, you might qualify for dual citizenship. (i.e. USA and Spain). If you could get a Spanish passport, you'd automatically be allowed to work in any of the 27 EU member states, including the UK.

Chris

[1mouse53]

Thank you Chris. My father is of Basque descent , my grandparents emmigrated to the US in 1910 .The surname Maitia, always was considered French. After a Google search and a few others, I find it is Spanish. I know there are other Maitia's in the Basque country, so maybe I can do the dual citizenship thing. I would have to find out how. I appreciate the information and it is certainly worth checking out.

Richard

[1mouse53]

I also found that my grandparents never became citizens in the US. I wonder if that makes a difference? All the answers were good and informative, thus it is hard to pick just 1. Thanks to all of you. Maybe I can just visit the UK.

[1mouse53]

Oh my father is Basque as I indicated and my mother is Portuguese. Her parents also emigrated here, 1 from the Azores , I believe Grandfather and 1 from the Mainland, Grandmother.