Expert: Willie Wallace - 2/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello.

Are you an expert on London?

Best regards,

Julian

ANSWER: Hi Julian,

Once upon a time, I would have anwered yes, but it is quite a long time since I had an office there and lived there part-time (I have also lived there full-time on various occasions), so I wouldn't say I was an expert, now.  I would be surprised if somebody on all-experts wasn't an expert.

However, if you cannot find somebody, then do come back to me.  Put it this way, I bet I know a lot more than you do :o)  

Working in the UK as a whole, has the same regulations and restrictions as for London, so I am definitely alright there and as far as London in general is concerned, I have lived in seven different areas and worked in several more, so I really do know quite a lot about it.  

I would say that it is a young person's place.  A challenge and an exciting prospect, but if you are older, like me, it is a prospect of intolerably long commuting journeys, smells, crowded commuter tubes and trains, dirty buildings, black snot and being surrounded by millions of people, who don't talk to each other.

Of course, that is written from somebody sitting in an office looking out onto trees and people walking past, in a quiet street, with the skyline of beautiful Edinburgh in view.  We can't all be as lucky as me :o)

Cheers,

Willie Wallace
http://www.celticlegend.co.uk

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again Willie,

Okay, here goes. Several years ago, I had a friend from California who I met
through the
internet. She wanted to move to Florida to find a job and she did. We finally
had a chance to meet and I was very happy I did because she's a great
person. Plus, I admired her courage for wanting to move to another state
because that's not a decision to be taken lightly. Anyway, I've recently become
inspired by my friend's relocation and I would like to move from Florida to
London, England. I've been to London many years ago and loved it. It left
such an impression on me that I made a vow to visit that beautiful city again
someday. But now, I don't want to visit London, I wish to relocate there for
many reasons. Aside from it being a beautiful city, I want to live there
because I like the people there and more importantly, I need a new job.
Currently, the job situation in Florida is deplorable. Jobs are scarce and
declining at an alarming rate. Fortunately, for my friend that's not a problem
because she is a lawyer and those jobs will always be in demand. I have two
college degrees in Graphic Design Technology, but I learned many years ago
that I don't have talent in it, despite having two degrees! LOL.

However, I have a lot of experience performing jobs that involve
administrative and clerical duties and I have an impressive resume to prove it.
Even if such jobs are not available, I will take ANY job, even if it means
sweeping the floor because I am desperate at this point. I've just been laid off
from my last job because it was an economic decision. It had nothing to do
with my productivity because I always gave 250 percent. They basically said,
"Sorry, it's nothing personal, just the times" speech. I would eventually like to
become a citizen in England and enjoy the benefits that go with it such as
national health insurance. My question is, do you know where I can acquire
information about moving and working in London? If not, do you at the very
least know where you point me in the right direction? Also, I'm considering
registering as a student to increase my chances. What do you think? Any
information you can provide me with will be most helpful. Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

Julian

ANSWER: Hi Julian,

Sorry for the slow reply.  I will try to advise you but I need to say from the start, working legally in the UK is going to be very difficult for you.  It is probably going to be the major block to you coming over here.   

Moving from California to Florida is simple by comparison.  Sure it is a long way, but as long as it is in the same country, much easier.

I think you really need to be offered a job before you get a work permit, or at least it would definitely help, so here is a website to contact people and try to sell yourself.

http://www.gumtree.com/london/2533_1.html

Here are two sites to tell you about how you get work visas.

http://www.visitlondon.com/travel/work/

This first is just helpful and has a coupel more links to jobsites, the second one is government and business like

www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/workpermits/

I really think that is the best I can do for you, but wish you very good luck.

Cheers,

Willie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Willie,

One other thing. I'm planning to develop my own onlines business soon so I
won't have to worry about being unemployed again. Will this greatly increase
my chances of working in the UK?

Best regards,

Julian

Answer
If the business is definitely going to be a succcess, then you can operate it from anywhere in the world, if it is on the internet.  I do my business wherever I am, as it is all web enquiries.  I usually make the money which pays for my vacations, while actually on the vacation, all for a spending 4 or 5 hours a day working, when away.   A converted sponge warehouse on the water in Greece, a little mountain cottage in Itlay, a villa in France - all of them become my office.

If you have a successful internet business, you need to look at the tax situation.  If it is based in Britain, there should not be a problem about you operating it and if you tell the Home Office when you apply for the Visa and work permit, thus indicating you are not going to be seeking other work and thereby taking a job from a British person, it should help you be allowed to stay.  

As long as you file proper accounts every year and pay correct tax then everybody should be happy.  You would need a registered accountant to do and sign off your accounts.  You can earn about GBP5000 before paying tax, so what you do is register a company, pay yourself a monthly amount which totals that GBP5000 for the year.  Twice a year, based on the company's income and profit, pay yourself a dividend of whatever the company can afford to.  Your accountant will advise.  You do not pay tax on these dividends, but once a year, based on the profit, the company will have to pay tax at about 20%.  In other words, your profit is your income after tax has been paid.

Hope that helps.  What is this internet business, which you are sure is going to pay you a living income?

Cheers,

Willie