Working Abroad?

One general comment, and not to discourage you, is that in order to work outside EU, you will usually need to demonstrate that you possess particular skills that are not available in the country where you are applying. countries will always look to hire their own people first...

In my (limited) experience America is one of the hardest places to get a work visa. Unless you are transferred from a UK company, have buckets of money or have a skill that is in short supply and they can't find an American to do the job I think it is nearly impossible.

That said, I am not sure what visa an internship would require so the first thing I would check is whether these programmes help you get the appropriate visa.

I went into the US some years ago on a J1 student visa and it was not an easy process. I presume an internship will be unpaid, I know at the time I got my visa (although some time ago) there had to be proof of funds etc.....

What is it about the US that appeals to you? Have you been before and what area are you thinking of?

TG

Thanks Ian, i have had a look on the internet at various sites, i know i need a green card to work in the US. Im just bored with my current role and want to do something somewhere different, alot of my previous roles have been admin/clerical/customer services based so am looking for that ideally, but anything is better than nothing.

Thanks for your reply.

Hi TG, I've always loved the US and just fancied looking into it really, nothing is set in stone. I quite like the idea of New York but i think it may be harder to get a job there. Although i would work in any city really. What are the jobs like in Texas? Maybe i could come there ?

As Texasgirl says, you need a visa to live in the US, and one that allows you to work at that, which is difficult to get your mitts on. The green card doesn't come until later (if at all). The easiest ways are a job transfer within a company, or getting a new company out there to sponsor you (which again is difficult because why would they spend their time doing that when they can employ someone locally). You can get some information from the US embassy site on the hundreds of different visas types.

Of course, there are plenty of other options in the world, and within the EU.

The British Expats site is a good one for a general nose, advice and brutal truths ?

Good luck with whatever you go for ?

Hi LM

I currently live and work in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi) and have lived and worked in Turkey and America. America was by far the hardest place and I was there without the correct papers and spent my time constantly looking over my shoulder and would never do that again.

The Middle East, despite the credit crunch, is holding up, and there is a demand for high performing admin/office managers, especially those from the UK. If you are interested, I am more than happy to ping you some links and give you more information, just let me know.

Hi TillyBean, that would be great if you could, thank-you so much! I think my PM function is broken, but i'll try and PM you with an alternative email address, thanks again LM x

I came to the US young free and single planning on being here 2 years cos I fancied something different (and the work opportunity was there (internal transfer)).

8 yrs later am still here having picked up a husband and a kid along the way!

Where in the US are you looking at - its all very differnt, but if you look at Boston area give me a shout!

One thing i've recently learned is that although they are willing to offer internships to foreigners they will not sponsor you for a visa so you would have to get that elsewhere.

I've just moved to the US (for a year...) on the back of MrG's work visa. I'm near DC if I can help in any way.

Have you considered Australia or New Zealand? It's possible for UK citizens to apply for a 1 year working holiday visa for either country, and while a lot of kids just do fruit picking work or bar work there is nothing to stop you doing something office based. I worked in Sydney for 8 months in 2000 (now that I write that it seems a hell of a long time ago!) and got a variety of temping admin jobs which were pretty well paid compared to the cost of living. I had quite a bit of admin experience a decent cv and a suit and it was easy to sign up with agencies in Sydney, H and I were offered stuff within a week of registering. The rules at the time were that you couldn't work for one employer for more than 3 months but if the agency and the employer were happy with you it was easy to take a short break and just re sign up with the same company. When I did it you had to be under 26 for an Oz visa and under 30 for an NZ visa, but things may have changed - check the website

Thanks all, Bingy yes i have looked at NZ and Aus, will check the website to see whats available, thanks for all your replies!

I'm currently based in ME (Dubai) and am working in admin having previously worked as a civil servant. The job market is slowing down a bit but there is still demand for good admin staff. Just shout if you need any advice or contacts.

I've previously worked in both the US and France. For US i spent 6 months there as a marketing intern and was sponsored by the Work America programme - but you need to be under 26 for that - so not sure if that's an option? Also had a few friends that did Mountbatten internships in New York - but again I think there was an age limit on those.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Hi SC,

I have PM'd you, i have looked at the work america programme but it says you have to be in Uni Ed, (which im not) so not sure if i looked at the right one!

Thanks Again

LM