Work Permit - Ireland vs. UK

A question from an actor moving from New York to London who studied and worked as an actor in Ireland for 3 years:

Q: In Ireland, I don't require a work permit to do acting work. Is it different in London? Will I need to apply for a visa?

A: UK immigration laws are always changing so it's best to check the UK Border Agency website for current details. I imagine you will need to apply for a work visa. When I first came to London as an American citizen (with no relatives with UK citizenship), I was on a visitor's visa which allowed me to 'seek' work i.e. meet with agents, go to castings, etc. but I could not actually get a job in the UK. To do that, I needed to get a work permit - the current categories are listed on the website above.

I've heard that if you're a student who has lived in the UK for a certain period of time - it used to be 4 years - you could apply for residency or a 'leave to remain' visa which allows you to work. A friend of mine who's an American actress from Colorado studied at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and is now able to live and work in the UK as a result. In the end I was able to stay and work here by marrying my British boyfriend (for love not a visa!) - it automatically granted me a 'leave to remain' visa. After 2 years I applied for and was granted an 'indefinite leave to remain' visa, which allows me to not only stay and work but also claim government benefits such as NHS.

Visas & London Film Scene

I recently received these questions from a reader:

Q: I am having the same trouble with my visa....I do not have my degree yet so coming with a work visa is proving almost impossible...as well as convincing employers to convince the government that they need you....I am trying to get into school now at last minute in clearing...but how did you come over....any advice...also how does London's film community stand to LA (I know LA IS the center of the world) but I am curious about London's film scene though I am gonna focus on theatre there first and getting into drama school...

A: I came to London on 5 different visas:
1) The first was on a student visa while I was at university, and I stayed for just over 4 months. I just had to prove that I was indeed a student, show where I was staying, and show my return ticket.

2) Then about 6 years later, I came for 9 months on a visitor's visa. Technically you're only allowed to stay 6 months on a visitor's visa, and you have to prove - with bank statements, proof of sufficient funds and that you have a place to stay - that you're able to fund yourself while you're here, as you're not legally allowed to work in the UK as a visitor. I ended up staying for 9 months because I went to France, then re-entered the UK and was somehow granted a 3 month visitor's visa on top of my original 6 month visa. At this point re-entering was becoming tricky because immigration wasn't buying my visitor's status and pointedly suggested I should get a different kind of visa to suit my situation.

3) When my boyfriend and I decided our relationship was going to work out, I embarked on getting a Highly Skilled Migrant visa, which was essentially a self-employed visa. My boyfriend and I weren't ready to get married and didn't want to rush things by getting a marriage visa. So we hired a British solicitor who assured me that my combination of web design and acting experience should be enough to earn the HSM visa. While the Home Office was reviewing my application, I had to be out of the country. With my life in limbo, I lived with my parents in Maryland and waited for several months, having no idea how long it would take (there were delays), if I'd be successful, and what the hell I'd do if I didn't get it. £2500, piles of paperwork, and 4 months later, I was denied.

4) I then returned to London on a visitor's visa for a few weeks to see my boyfriend, and decide what our plan of action was. In the end we decided to get a fiancee visa as we thought we were nearly there, and by the time the visa ran out months later we'd be ready to get married. We resented the government having an influence on the course of our relationship, but in the end it worked out just fine.

5) After returning to the USA again, taking the train from Baltimore to the British Consulate in New York city and securing my fiancee visa I returned to the UK. This time entry was a little smoother, although I forgot to wear my 'engagement ring', and the immigration officer grilled me a little over that and my whole proposal story.

6) Finally my boyfriend and I did get married. I got my Temporary Leave to Remain (for 2 years) visa and was allowed to work, but not to receive state benefits (NHS, unemployment, etc), although I was allowed to pay taxes.

7) Two years later, I had to prove to the Home Office that my husband and I had been living together continuously for that period and I had to take the 'Life in the UK' test to prove I, as a foreigner from America, could speak English, and knew about British culture. £1000 later, I was granted the mother of all visas - Indefinite Leave to Remain. I could work AND receive state benefits. When and if my husband have kids, we're definitely giving them dual citizenship, so they never have to go through what I did.

The London Film Scene:
It's not LA, but there's a lot going on. There are quite a few American films that get made over here and cast in London - and they always want genuine Americans. For example, I went up for 1408 with John Cusack, and both BATMAN films starring Christian Bale - I was seen by the director, Christopher Nolan, in a call back. And most recently I was cast in a British made TV film about the Apollo 11 moon landing. MOONSHOT was almost completely cast over here - with one LA guy cast as Buzz Aldrin - and we shot in Lithuania. There are also lots of American TV pilots cast over here January - March. As in any market, it's hard to break in, but it is possible.

But if you're thinking of going to drama school - come over here on a student visa. That will be the most straight forward way.

Getting a Visa

Happy New Year! I've received some emails lately from American readers who wish to transfer their acting career to the UK, and who have turned to this blog for ideas. I thought I'd include the most recent email (anonymously) as a Q and A, in the hope that the rest of you might find it useful.

Q: “Hello! It is so great to read about an American actress living and working in London. I am an actress living in NYC. I'm really hoping to make the transfer abroad, but I'm not sure how to start. I spent a year studying in England several years ago, and I've been thinking about moving back ever since. Now that I'm not a student I am a bit worried that I'll have trouble acquiring a visa, and I was wondering if you had any advice. How would you recommend beginning the process? Is it better to start while still in the US? Should I contact the UK Embassy in NY, or would you recommend that I take another approach? If you have a chance, I would love to hear what you have to say.”

A: I was in your position when I wanted to return to London after studying here during university. First ask yourself two things – how long do you intend to stay and what do want to do while you’re here? Then I’d visit the UK Visas website to see what kind of visa you might be able to get. If you intend to work, you’ll definitely need a visa. This is difficult to acquire. So in the first instance, I’d suggest coming to the UK on a visitor visa to scope out the scene and make some contacts. (This is what I did and I thought it was a valuable first step. But if you have some way of getting a work visa - family members that are EU citizens, a UK job opportunity - then by all means do it. You'll save yourself some time!)

If you have an agent, perhaps he or she can help to arrange some meetings with agents in London. Since you’re a US citizen you won’t need to get your visitor visa in advance. You can just get one at the passport control desk when you arrive in the UK. However, be prepared! You will need to show the immigration officer 1) that you want to visit the UK for no more than 6 months, 2) your return ticket to the USA or other evidence that you intend to return to the states at the end of your visit and 3) bank statements to prove you have the means to support yourself. During this time you CANNOT WORK, but you can SEEK work i.e. meet with agents, go on auditions, take classes at The Actors’ Centre, Pineapple Studios, etc. For more info on a visitors visa visit this page. You might also visit the British Embassy New York for more visa advice.