How to stay in the UK after studying there?

Question

I am currently studying in the UK for a undergraduate degree which is 3 years, I am a American born citizen and have no ties to England other than I study here, I must admit I have fallen deeply in love with this country and I would love to live here after my studies, what are my options I want to know what can be done to establish a permanent residency here or staying for a few years after studying, I have no loans as everything has been payed for I even own my own flat, what are my options ?
I am currently here on a student visa.

Additional Details

***do I have to get a job ? ***
I guess since the requirements are different here in the US I mean if you can support yourself and know the culture well you get a green card

I read somewhere that you can apply for residency after living there for 3 years , will my studying time count since its three full years? Also what if I am able to secure a job right after I finish my studies am I able to stay ?

Gosh, I can't believe I didn't include this, I am 21 and I am engaged to my boyfriend well finance now he is a British born citizen, I don't about the law, but are they finance visas or something?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

You can't stay on after your course finishes. Time spent in the UK on a student visa does not count toward any residency or citizenship applications.
There are fiance visas, but these are for non EU citizens outside the UK that allows them to come to the UK to marry. You can't apply for this inside the UK.
Unless you marry before your student visa expires you will have to leave the UK on completion of your course. Please be aware that being married to a British citizen does not give you the right to live in the UK, you would have to apply for a spouse visa after marrying. That is another extremely difficult process. If there is any hint of you marrying to stay in the UK your application will be denied.

Look here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-…

Over recent years the UK has been tightening visa rules for non-EU citizens. Work visas are extremely difficult to get, you can only apply for jobs on the skills shortage list, these are mostly in the medical, scientific and engineering fields and all require higher education and qualifications and extensive experience. As a new graduate you would not qualify.

Answer 2

Simply After getting a job you can stay in UK easily.......................

Source(s):

http://www.lakedistricttouristguide.com/

Answer 3

Oh well.....once your married your legally allowed to get a British Citizenship.

Glad you enjoyed the UK :)

Answer 4

Should be easy enough once you are married.

Answer 5

get a job

Answer 6

When your student visa expires you have to leave the UK. Your chances of a visa to return to the UK to work is about nil, same is true throughout the EC, which is why I cannot understand why a US citizen would spend a small fortune studying in the UK. Your UK qualifications might not even be recognised in the USA.

As for your flat, if you decide to sell it, Don't tell anyone that you are a foreigner and have to leave the country. That makes it a panic sell and if the word gets out the price goes through the floor. You could do better paying a management company to find you a tenant and look after it in your absence. That way you generate income and right now London rents are high enough to at least cover any outstanding mortgage you may have. Since you won't be able to use it yourself, in the longer term you will probably be better off selling it.