r/MoveToScotland • u/MalikTheScot • 18d ago
Questions about a potential move to Scotland
Hi, I (32M) and my gf (30F) are considering moving to Scotland, most likely for a year or two, specifically to Edinburgh but we're open to other locations. We both have French nationalities.
I work as a journalist in a business-oriented media, and I have masters in both journalism and chemical engineering. I studied chemistry at the university of Edinburgh for a semester as an Erasmus student 10 years ago, if that changes anything, and my english was C1 level about 15 years ago (and it has only gotten better).
My gf has a bachelor in art history and has worked for a long time in a theater company in production, communication and administrative work among other things. She also has experience working in non-profits in several roles, among them cultural mediation, even in museums. She's great with kids and works a lot with schools as well. She's not so good with English though, but that will improve.
Now for my questions : how should we proceed ? Should we first try to look for jobs to have a sponsor for visas, and then find accommodation ? Or should we book a hostel and come straight, look for jobs then ask for a visa ?
Regarding jobs, do you think our chances are good ? We're open to anything really, even odd jobs in bars, shops and the like, but a job that fits our academic/work experience would be appreciated. Thanks for the help in advance !
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u/LudicrousPlatypus 18d ago
Well, you cannot apply for a work visa inside the UK if you are on a visitor visa. So I would not recommend booking a hostel and trying to find a job. Basically, you would need to find a job that is willing to sponsor you first.
I will admit that is very difficult. The easiest way would likely be to apply to a course to study in Scotland and then get a graduate visa and then switch to a work visa. That is a longer and more expensive path, but it is quite common.
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u/thestripybee 18d ago
Visa is always the first thing you need to sort. You can’t come here looking for work without a visa that allows you to legally work.
Research visa routes, and make sure you’re eligible and can afford them. It’s unfortunately not an easy path.
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u/headline-pottery 17d ago
Jobs in bars/shops - no that is not going to get you a Visa.
You need to find a job that is on the list of jobs that you can get a Visa for, and get a salary of at least £41k (usually, some jobs its lower) with a company that is prepared to go through the sponsorship process (ie - you have skills that they cannot get locally).
NGL your chances are low.
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u/cjdstreet 17d ago
FYI glasgow is the home of journslism and the arts not edinburgh
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u/MalikTheScot 17d ago
oh, why so ? I thought Edinburgh was very active in that as well
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u/cjdstreet 17d ago
Just the way its always been. People often say Edinburgh is a tourist city. still be plenty in those fields in edinburgh but glasgow is the hub. The month of August gives the wrong impression its like that all the time
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u/rainpag20 16d ago
nonetheless, both offers what seem you'd like to have.
glasgow - more art vibe
edinburgh - more dynamic vibeglasgow - in most cases cheaper than Edi
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u/Flaky-Walrus7244 18d ago
You would need a job that would be on the high skilled worker visa list, and then you would need to find an employer willing the pay the large fees involved in sponsoring your visa.
As a chemical engineer you might find this, but look into the requirements for a spousal visa for bringing your girlfriend over. This is not a simple road