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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be so sad that I can't take up my UK job offer (visa refused)

128 replies

linearfunction · 29/06/2018 20:53

The title says it all, pretty much.

I'm an American teacher. I was so excited to receive a job offer to teach in the UK. It was a lifelong dream come true for me.

But my restricted cos was refused, so no visa for me. They are apparently only giving Tier 2 visas to people with huge salaries, so not teachers.

I am crushed. For the past few months I have been talking about nothing but my new job in the UK to my friends. Now whenever anyone asks me when I am going, I have to explain that I'm not going after all. I wish I had never gotten the job offer in the first place because that would have been better than this.

It is even worse because I keep reading about teacher shortages in the UK. They would rather have a shortage than me. It hurts so, so much.

:( heartbroken :(

OP posts:
Nodnol · 29/06/2018 23:01

Oh that sucks @Linear. I'm sorry. I'd be absolutely gutted if that happened to me. My degree is focused on the UK so if I couldn't continue my career there I don't know what I would do.

I'm watching and hoping that the Ancestry Visa remains in place for at least the next year.

Original poster
linearfunction · 29/06/2018 23:02

ChickenOrEgg6, I hope they manage to find great teachers to fill those vacancies at your dd's school. I would have loved to be one of them.

OP posts:
AnnabelC · 29/06/2018 23:05

I can understand the salary thing. It’s very expensive to live here. Especially on your own and if it’s London. You don’t want to be struggling financially. Just guessing but I understand your disappointment. Perhaps try again next year.

BishopBrennansArse · 29/06/2018 23:10

It's because we're taking back our sovereignty, OP.

Getting rid ov da immigrunts

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

We're going to have a serious brain drain at this rate.

RavenWings · 29/06/2018 23:12

Considering the amount of times I've had recruitment agencies contact me or friends (as an Irish teacher), theyd be damn lucky to have you to fill one of the vacancies.

You might have had a lucky escape from what I've heard from Irish teachers there, you couldn't pay me enough to work in the English system. But it is really shit to have your dream dashed and I'm sorry that happened to you.

RavenWings · 29/06/2018 23:13

And some of the people banging on about "hurr durr Brits can't work in your country you know" would want to cop on. I'm sure that's very shit for UK teachers trying to fulfil their dreams. But what use is that to op? What do you think she can do about it?

Jinglebells99 · 29/06/2018 23:16

Ah sorry it hasn’t worked out for you. My dd has a fantastic young inspiring teacher from Canada who stayed for three years. Which part of England were you going to go to? Mind you, things feel pretty depressing here at the moment :/

KennDodd · 29/06/2018 23:25

This country's a mess at the moment, I'd steer clear of Brexitland if I were you, we hate immigrants. I'm sorry we've become such a nasty nation op. Dublin is lovely, have you looked at Ireland for an overseas adventure? Or maybe try Australia or New Zealand?

maggiso · 29/06/2018 23:31

Sorry you have been messed about OP! Don’t take it personally. As I understand it it’s happening in our hospital too- ( shortage of medical staff) something to do with the quota of visas. Talented people all lined up to come to the UK and no visa left! Nonsensical!

Branleuse · 29/06/2018 23:36

there's a teacher shortage because people are leaving in droves. Not because we don't have enough trained.

RedDwarves · 29/06/2018 23:38

Or maybe try Australia or New Zealand?

Full-time teaching jobs are as rare as hen's teeth in Australia. That's why lots of Australian qualified teachers are going to the UK.

BackForaMo · 29/06/2018 23:41

Mmm, but to be fair it is hard to immigrate into and qualify to work in the States. I knew someone who had to go back to "school" there to get accreditation with a US hairdressing qualification despite decades of experience here. They had immigrated as a family member.

Sorry to hear your dreams have been thwarted op but if it's any consolation UK has higher cost of living compared to salary than the States.

Maybe Ireland is a happier option now as a pp mentioned?

ConstanceVigilance · 29/06/2018 23:49

OP: ask your employer to put in another Restricted COS request (before 5 July). The government are removing NHS workers from the Tier 2 cap, which means that there are more RCOS places for non NHS workers. I haven’t had a chance to read up on whether the NHS exemption begins in July but if not it definitely applies in August. An employer can put in as many requests as needed month after month, as long as their resident labour market test wasn’t started too long ago.

BrewDoggy · 30/06/2018 00:01

Sorry to hear that OP. I myself prefer living in the USA compared to here. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise?

Original poster
linearfunction · 30/06/2018 00:05

ConstanceVigilance, thanks for that. Do you think that this would mean the point number would go significantly lower?

OP posts:
Childrenofthesun · 30/06/2018 00:13

I see we managed to get a "We must look after our own first" comment on the first page. As if coming here and educating the youth of the UK is not looking after UK interests.

Government policy on this is nonsensical. We should be appreciative of any qualified candidate who wants to work here, especially core subject secondary teachers, who are like gold dust.

PP are right in saying that teaching is awful here at the moment though, so you may have had a lucky escape.

siwel123 · 30/06/2018 00:18

The UK immigration system needs an overhaul.
It should be points based on the use people who come here have and what jobs are in need. Like Australia.

No point letting people in because they have a high flying sales job if there's no one to teach there kids or help them in a medical emergency.

LegoBitcho · 30/06/2018 00:20

RLMT are valid for 6 months. If your COS isn't approved in this time another one will need to be done.

How many COS go to NHS earning over £50k?

Battleax · 30/06/2018 00:26

I’m not sure why you’re getting so much snark. MNis normally “No Borders” central. Plus our teacher shortage is insane.

Is it worth you trying again some time later?

Semster · 30/06/2018 00:45

I'm really sorry you are going through this. I've jumped through immigration hoops many times and it is ridiculous how bureaucracy can get in the way of common sense.

Is working in an American school in the UK an option for you? Are they covered by the same visa rules?

MismatchedStripySocks · 30/06/2018 07:10

How are all these immigrants getting in, NOT working and eventually getting a visa whilst you have the offer of employment and can’t even get one? Hmm Is there any way to appeal?

cleofatra · 30/06/2018 07:22

This rings a bell for me.
I was a maths/sciences A level teacher many many years ago and also applied for a visa to teach in the UK but was refused as I needed a work permit which they weren't giving out at the time.

I actually changed careers and have been living here for 20 years now. I do miss teaching.

Original poster
linearfunction · 30/06/2018 07:23

MismatchedStripy, you have to get a work visa before you can take up a job. You can't just show up and not work and still apply for the work visa. There has to be a clear job offer.

OP posts:
PineapplePower · 30/06/2018 07:29

It sucks to have your dreams dashed so suddenly like that Flowers especially considering that UK teachers are leaving in droves and they are in desperate need of replacements.

Would you consider teaching abroad elsewhere? I knew international school teachers in Beijing and they seemed to get paid very well and had high job satisfaction (amazing students from all over the globe, well-behaved, etc).

Hong Kong could well be worth looking into, they have a good mix of local and British culture that you may find attractive as well! Good luck!

SnuggyBuggy · 30/06/2018 07:34

It's really unfair OP besides I think it's a good thing for pupils to have teachers from different countries.