The Immigration Rules were amended on 6 April 2011 to include a new tougher criminality threshold. The key difference is that as of this date any unspent conviction will lead to a mandatory refusal of a prospective application to be granted settlement in the UK under the working and the family … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: Can Criminal Convictions Affect your Ability to Settle in Britain?
February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Guest Post: Top tips for getting your foot on the property ladder in Britain
January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Buying a home for the first time is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll make in your life. However, when once it was easy for first time buyers to get their foot on the ladder, with the current economic slump for many of us that first buy seems a long way off. But this isn’t time to … [Read more...]
Guest Post: Best Cities to Live in England
January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
It’s difficult to measure which English city is the best place to make your home as everyone has a different ideal. Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in the UK that offer the best affordability, or are close to great schools, take a look at our guide to some of the best cities to live in … [Read more...]
Brit Book Review: A Little Piece of England – A Tale of Self Sufficiency by John Jackson
January 2, 2012 By 1 Comment
I love a good book about living off the grid and A Little Piece of England - A Tale of Self Sufficiency by John Jackson is a great little book about the subject. Here is what the book is about: A Little Piece of England, tells the tale of how the author’s family, living in a sliver of … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: Americans planning to study in the UK are labelled low risk and enjoy an easier application process
December 8, 2011 By 2 Comments
Living in the USA already possesses its own benefit and advantages but now there is another reason to celebrate being born in the USA. As many people know making a visa application can be a daunting experience but the UK Border Agency has made this process a little easier for citizens of a small … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: UK Visa Application Form Changes
November 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Be prepared for UK visa application form changes. When the UK government announces changes in rules for a particular immigration category this can usually mean that the application form for that category is going to be updated. The announcement below from the UK Border Agency was one such notice. … [Read more...]
Da Bears at Wembley – On the Ground Report from the NFL London Game
October 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Editor's Note: The following is an excellent guest post by Nate and Sheri Wadman - a couple that has just returned from a trip to England. They kindly have written about their experience on the trip culminating in the 2011 NFL Game at Wembley. Thanks for sharing guys! As soon as it was announced … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: Upcoming Changes to Tier 2 Work Visa Category
October 24, 2011 By 1 Comment
Earlier this week the government accepted the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s recommendations, which were submitted for consideration in September 2011. In its report, the MAC focused in particular on those industries and sectors where it deemed that resident workers are now available to fill … [Read more...]
Guest Post: UK Immigration – The Easy Way to Migrate to the United Kingdom
October 21, 2011 By 2 Comments
Many people assume to migrate to the UK they have to follow UK immigration law. Unknown to many people there is another route into the UK. A separate set of rules governing the European Economic Area (EEA)which includes the UK provide a different set of immigration rules for those EEA citizens and … [Read more...]
Transatlantic Romance: A Field Guide to Dating a Brit
October 13, 2011 By 8 Comments
This is a guest post by Sarah Tyler. For a person who had always been very passionate about British culture, I was surprisingly unprepared for the experience of dating a Brit. Sure, I knew my pasty from my ploughman’s and had enough pop culture facts to win even the most difficult pub quiz, but … [Read more...]
IRB Rugby World Cup – New Zealand 2011 – Final Pool Week Round Up.
October 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Wheat has been separated from the Chaff! The last sixteen have emerged to take their Quarter Final spots but who were the Wheat and who were the Chaff? The last week of the pool round had some scintillating match ups with Scotland needing to get at least one victory from two very tough … [Read more...]
Guest Post: UK Immigration – Common UK Visa Application Mistakes
October 3, 2011 By 1 Comment
As experienced UK visa and immigration consultants, WM Immigration deal with real UK visa issues on a daily basis. We have compiled a list of common errors made from applicants on a regular basis. Errors vary depending on the application but we feel these ones are always recurring. Original Bank … [Read more...]
Rugby World Cup – New Zealand 2011 – Week Two Round Up
September 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The 2011 Rugby World Cup got its first upset of the tournament as the Irish turned over Australia in a thriller at Eden Park, Auckland. The United States recorded their first win as they beat Russia, and reigning champions South Africa and host’s New Zealand sustain their dominance in their … [Read more...]
Sport: Rugby World Cup 2011 New Zealand – 1st Week in Review
September 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The 2011 Rugby World Cup is only a week old! Everyone has played at least one game but which of the coaches will be the happy hooker and who will feel they are in the sin bin? The tournament got off to a cracking start with a stunning opening ceremony in Auckland with a choir of 400 … [Read more...]
Book Review: More Postcards from Across the Pond by Michael Harling
August 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
We've had a long relationship here at Anglotopia with Author Mike Harling. Mike is an American expat - or accidental Anglophile as he likes to say - who moved to Britian a few years ago to be with his English wife. He's been writing about his experiences since on his blog, on Anglotopia (Dispatches … [Read more...]
Dispatches from Milton Keynes: Reflections on departing Camphill Milton Keynes
August 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Today will be my last working day at Camphill Milton Keynes. I can't say that working with adults with disabilities has been harder than I thought it would be. I knew that it would be challenging. I knew that it would test the bounds or my patience, and frankly, I think I needed that in my … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: Latest UKBA Proposals – UK Visas for Family Members
July 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The latest immigration proposals, announced on 13 July 2011, seemingly show a shift in policy from curbing the number of students to impose stringent criteria on family members to join the main applicant in the UK. The definition of immediate family members in the Immigration Rules is narrower … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: A Guide to the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa – Investing in Britain
June 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
From an immigration point of view, it's undeniable that it makes perfect sense for a foreign investor to enter the UK under the newly revised Tier 1 Entrepreneur category rather than the Tier 1 Investor due to the lower level of funds required to qualify. This article will discuss in details the … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: Latest Policy Updates and new UKBA proposals to End Tier 2 Right to Settlement
June 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
On 6 April 2011, the UK Border Agency brought into force the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC863) published on 16 March 2011. This article offers a snap shot of the most pervasive makeover of the UK immigration system seen in recent years with a discussion of the new proposals … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: British Settlement and Citizenship Changes and Challenges Ahead
May 20, 2011 By 2 Comments
The last few weeks have unveiled a complete rethinking of the immigration system and visa categories in the UK. On 6 April 2011, the Tier 1 General Scheme was abolished whilst the Tier 1 Post Study Work Scheme, after much speculation, was given a 12 months lifeline until April 2012. The UK … [Read more...]
U.K. Immigration: Closure of the Tier 1 Post Study Work route confirmed – Student Visa Reforms
March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The U.K. Border Agency has announced the closure of the Tier 1 PSW route. From April 2012, graduate students will no longer be able to apply for leave to remain in the U.K. following the award of their degree unless they have an offer of a graduate job from a sponsoring employer under Tier 2 of the … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: Tier 1 Post Study Work Scheme Visa News: Good news for prospective applicants!
March 23, 2011 By 14 Comments
On December 7, 2010, Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, made the following announcement: 'This government wants high-calibre students with the genuine desire to study to come to our country to come for temporary periods, and then return home. We want to hear views of our proposals from a … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: Is ‘rolling out the red carpet’ enough to attract more foreign investors and high net worth individuals to the UK?
March 18, 2011 By 2 Comments
Earlier this week the government has published a statement of intent outlining major reform to the immigration system focusing on rebalancing the economy by supporting a private-sector-led economic recovery and rewarding those who contribute to the economic growth. The changes will come into effect … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: UK Border Agency To Dramatically Increase Visa Fees Across the Board
February 28, 2011 By 6 Comments
Faced with massive departmental budget cuts, the UK Border Agency has decided to be a little more entrepreneurial by increasing visa application fees by a large margin. From UKBA Today: Today, immigration Minister Damian Green has issued a Written Ministerial Statement (PDF 91KB opens in a new … [Read more...]
U.K. Immigration: Tier 1 and Tier 2 visas: What Will Happen After 6 of April 2011?
February 25, 2011 By 56 Comments
Earlier this month, the U.K. government announced new requirements for those wishing to live and work in the U.K. under the Tier 1 and Tier 2 categories of the points-based system. The new rules will come into effective on 6 April 2011, and those applying on or after that date will have to meet the … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: UK Border Agency Sets out New Tier 2 Regulations and Cap Details – New Income Requirement
February 18, 2011 By 2 Comments
The UK Border Agency has published a Statement of Intent affecting the eligibility criteria for Tier 2 applications in the wake of the annual cap to be introduced on 6 April 2011. In particular, all Tier 2 jobs will need to be at a graduate level position. Significantly, prospective Tier 2 migrants … [Read more...]
UK Immigration: UK Government Cuts Number of Skilled Occupations Eligible for a Visa
February 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The UK Migration Advisory Committee has released it's annual report. The UK government asked the body to cut the number of job eligible for automatic entry under the Tier 2 system. The government asked that the MAC use the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 and above as the relevant … [Read more...]
Guest Post: A British Expat’s Guide to the Super Bowl
February 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Editor's Note: The following is a guest post from Karl Hindle. Karl is an English writer cast adrift in America. He misses his cat, bacon butties and the local pub, but has discovered a source for Heinz Baked Beans and HP Sauce to maintain his grip on his national identity. He does not miss the … [Read more...]
Guest Post: The Top 10 Reasons to Move to London From London Relocation Services
February 2, 2011 By 2 Comments
Editor's Note: The following is another great quest post from our friends at London Relocation Services - the people you should get in touch with when you're planning on moving to London. The decision to relocate to London is easier for some than others. Maybe you’re being transferred for your … [Read more...]
Guest Post: How to Search for a Job in the UK – Job Hunting in Britain
January 19, 2011 By 3 Comments
Whether you say it in an American accent or a British accent, the definition of a job remains the same. In the form of a noun, the definition of a job is: “the regular work which a person does to earn moneyâ€*. But this is sometimes easier said than done, in both countries. The job … [Read more...]
British Pound Exchange Rate
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.