I know this is for those who leave the UK, but how hard is it to move to the UK?

[christie2]

I am not sure where else to put this question so I will try here. Has anyone moved/emmigrated to the UK and how hard is it? We have lived twice in the UK for a year at a time under a student study visa. We are professionals in canada (canadian) with kids but are seriously thinking of comming to live, at least to work for a few years in the UK to see if we want to stay. We absolutely love it and wonder if visits are enough. The older kids love it and are really keen to live here. Anyone have any experience with how complicated it would be i.e. work visas etc. Assuming we found a job in the UK. We would like to buy some property in the UK and also keep our property in canada. Anyone live a dual lifestyle with one foot in 2 countries? How is it working? We are really seriously considering this and any help would be appreciated.

There are some Canadians living in the UK who post on here, if I spot NotQuiteCockney posting anywhere I'll send her over this way.

Do either of you have an ancestry that might entitle you to an EU passport? I suspect it would make life much easier if you did. Otherwise it might be easier to find a job first and have your employer apply for the work permit, although that would mean that your permit would expire if you left that company.

Property prices here seem to be falling a bit, so by the time you get yourselves over here it might be a bit more affordable. If you know where you are likely to be living you could check out the property websites to see how affordable it would be for you. If you only expect to be here for a few years there is a slight danger that you could lose money on property. In the early 1990s there was a property crash and prices didn't recover to their pre-crash levels for about 5 years, although my feeling is that it won't crash so dramatically this time.

Unfortunately, with children, you don't qualify as Working Holiday Makers, but you may want to investigate an Ancestry Visa, if your Grandparents were British Citizens. If your parents were British Citizens, you may well be British too.

Other than that, your main visa possibility is the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme - this is very similar to the Canadian Landed Immigrant program, where you collect points for education, English language skills etc.

Property is not easy - the prices are sky high at the moment, and exchange rates are not helpful.

No recent british ancestry that would qualify. I think the highly skilled migrant program or to come over with an employer on a work permit is likely our best option. Thanks.