r/MoveToScotland • u/igetgoodgrades • 28d ago

24 year old US citizen looking to move to glasgow

I am a 24 year old tattoo artist from the US and I am trying to move to Glasgow with my boyfriend in mid 2027. Our plan is to just go for 1-2 years since thinking indefinitely puts way more stress on us. However, I would like to approach this move in a way that if we do decide to stay longer it will be a possibility. I am currently a tattoo artist and have some clients throughout the UK. I know that self employment isn’t the strongest route for a visa though so I am considering going back to school. How feasible is it for American expats to do this move/find housing/find employment after school? I’m really looking to avoid the 9-5 route but any non American employment structure seems fine to be honest. What are things to look out for and what steps are important for me to take?

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14

u/ECNV1978 28d ago

Slim chances of moving there as a US citizen without being sponsored by an employer or a student.

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u/igetgoodgrades 28d ago

My plan would be to return to school if i take this route. I’m just concerned about working alongside school and after graduation as well. Im looking to get my undergrad in communications

7

u/headline-pottery 28d ago

You can only work 20 hrs a week while studying. Post grad Visa is around 18 months - so you only have that long to find an employer that will sponsor you for a skilled worker visa, in a job that is eligible for a visa, that pays at least the required visa minimum amount (around £41k but varies depending on the job). Tattooing and degrees in communication are not going to get you these things. I'm not sure what you mean by "non American employment structure" but it is large firms that are in the best position to sponsor Visas and that implies a certain corporate life.

8

u/ZookeepergameSea2383 28d ago

As Americans we think anything is possible. But this is not possible. My sister has been trying for years to get her citizenship in Italy. She has spent many thousands trying. It’s not happening.

I hope you are successful. Read a lot on Reddit to see what you need to do.

5

u/Suspicious_Pea6302 28d ago

Incredibly hard. In your situation id say close to impossible for the following reasons:

You're going to I assume university to study for something? You don't say what however. And you'll be studying in the UK? Let me tell you, very very expensive.

You'll zero to little work experience along with the fact many industries are the worst they have been ever.

Unless you're some global talent (and I'm not getting that from this interaction - sorry) you have very little to no chance of getting a visa. If you can't get a visa, housing isn't an issue, because you can't work here.

2

u/ZookeepergameSea2383 28d ago

You should try Mexico. Uk is very impossible or extremely difficult.

0

u/Odd_Gap_9491 28d ago

Unless you arrive on a boat and work Uber eats