As some of you might know, I am not a native Briton (i know, I hide it so well! LOL) and that means that living and working here means I am on some type of visa/scheme. My current visa allows me to work for a year, stay in the UK for two and I am currently approaching the end of my year of working. I have always planned on switching my visa over to another category to be able to continue to work, live, and play in the UK and had everything firmly laid out.
Alas, the best laid plans. The Home Office has changed the rules which means people in my particular visa category can no longer switch into the other visa category, as I had originally planned to do. In order to begin the process of getting the other visa, I would have to
leave the country and apply from my home country (home being somewhere I have not lived in over 25 years). And the timing on this is anywhere from two months to six months. Or possibly never at all, if I am not approved for the visa.So, as of September 9th, I can no longer work in the UK. I can stay, I just can't earn anymore money. And London (hell, living) is expensive. So, understandable I have been a bit upset, anxious, and confused over the last couple of weeks, trying to figure all the new rules out, trying to figure out the implications for myself, my life, my job, and my future. And oh yeah, getting emotional about once again having to upheave my life after only finally feeling like I was starting to settle into something good (well, as good as it could be for now).....
I have some options. Some are wholly unfeasible (like getting married) and some are feasible, but uncertain. I will keep you informed, but right now I have to move forward as though the worst case scenario will occur and that is that I would leave England in early September, not knowing when and if I can return. Which means making sure I spend loads of times making new memories with the great friends I have, mementos to take with me.
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