jetsam1

Hello.

Just in case the worst happens and I am forced to return (without family probably if May gets her way, but I digress), has the jobs market improved at all in the last few years? When I left most of what was being advertised was direct sales etc.

I have been self employed just long enough for it to be a problem and the nascent business cannot be moved either. Got two degrees though but don't know how much that helps these days!

HKG3

Have you consider moving to an EEA country with the family instead - it can be easier.

verystormy

The jobs market is very strong.

Why would you have to leave your family behind?

HKG3

The OP need to meet spouse visa financial requirement?

scrubbedexpat142

& how long before the hardened brexiteers start complaining that "they" (the returning expats) "are taking our jobs, houses & medical care" - "Close the borders!"

jetsam1

Yep my wife is an EU national and as I don't have £64,000 immediately to hand it would be down to finding a job paying over £18,600 which won't happen overnight. Plus having used up any savings in physically moving back there wouldn't be much left for the Home Office fees. We are living in an EU country presently and still have no idea what course they might take but as my wife is a citizen it might be ok. It is getting harder to keep motivated with all this potential awfulness hanging over my head.

I am working on the principle of hope for the best plan for the worst. It is time with the prospect of a Tory majority to at least start thinking about what might happen so at least there is a prospect of a plan in place.

When you say strong what does that mean? It was awful when I left 3 and a bit years ago. Hardly anything advertised that would be worth the while. My old industry is closed now as I wouldn't pass the offshore medical due to having had major bowel surgery a year and a half ago so that is out. I am quite specialised which could make applying for general jobs interesting. I could leave off the Msc and see if that helps.

I would hope that HR departments aren't that petty as to discriminate against people returning!

spouse of scouse

Hi jetsam. The UK unemployment rate has certainly decreased over the past few years, from 6.7% in February 2014 to 4.7% in February 2017, so that's a bit of good news.

Of course, stats can't tell the whole story and your personal job prospects rely on the same old variables, including demand for your particular skills. Have you had a look at current employment sites to see what's around?

I get what you're saying about motivation, major surgery that removed the offshore option for you is stressful in itself, without the uncertainty of the upheaval of moving countries and looking for work. Don't sell yourself short though. Although your previous work was specialized you would have acquired generic skills that are transferable to other types of jobs, same goes for being self-employed.

quiltman

Have I read this correctly: YOU are UK citizen and your wife is a citizen of an EU country? If so then you can move tomorrow under the free movement rules. With luck our guru, Brit in Paris will pop along and give you chapter and verse. you don't need proof of financial status. This only applies if applying for a spouse visa where your partner is NOT an EU national!

jetsam1

I am anticipating that post Brexit the rules for non-EU spouses will come into force.

Ideally I would like to stay where I am as we have gone quite far into organising a business that will start paying off over the next few years. I have invested enough time and effort not to want to walk away unless it becomes absolutely necessary or I am forced.

christmasoompa

If your aim is to earn over the minimum to be able to sponsor your wife, then could you not just do any job to start with? You'd only need just over minimum wage, something like working in a supermarket at night would do it, and they seem to be advertising constantly near me. You could still search for something more suitable for your skillset in the meantime.

Best of luck.