civilservant

Evolved implies that he has become better suited to this environment.... not sure that make sense

OP - I don't see that anyone else has said it, so I will, pregnancy is not a reason to have a visa application expedited, just in case you read about that and thought it was an option.

SC16

Yeah I didn't think it would - who knows Brexit may turn into even more of a sh*t show that we beg USA for some kind of agreement....

civilservant

Since a change to the VWP and/or a change to immigration laws will require an act of Congress, and the chances of that happening are next to 0, the UK can beg all it wants, it isn't going to happen...

Pulaski

Er, assuming Brexit actually happens, I wouldn't bet $1 against there being an E-4.

SC16

I was being flippant more than anything...

xSerephine

As a female American citizen, I get scared of giving birth in the US because even with medical insurance, you might still pay around 10kish for delivering a baby. I've lived in the UK as a student as well and have been covered by the NHS regarding several medical emergencies without paying. I trust in the NHS more than any American healthcare system. Even if I work for a company which helps me have healthcare in the US I would still be liable to paying something. Since you already have a good degree, a good job, and wow Chartered Engineer (congrats!!) you would possibly have a better life raising a child in the UK. I know you said it might be costly but having the NHS to support you is much better in the long run or until you have your Visa accepted. Think about the costs of after having a baby - vaccinations, sickness, potential health problems. If something health related happens it will be very costly in the US whereas in the NHS it is free. Anyways, I wish you and your gf goodluck!!

Pulaski

As a student/ non-earner you won't see it from this angle yet, but my family's medical expenses in the US - insurance, and contributions to our HSAs (which more than covers all our "out of pocket" expenses by a very large margin - we currently have well into five figures accumulated in our HSAs!), when added to the income and payroll taxes deducted from my salary, is still a significantly smaller percentage of my salary than the income and payroll taxes deducted when I worked in the UK.

In other words "free" healthcare can be mighty expensive!

xSerephine

That's true and a good point. However, considering if the OP moves to the states on a K1 and cant work is worse since he cant support his pregnant gf (which we're not sure of her financial situation and health insurance details). If he stays in the UK for now (but not forever) the NHS will still be a better option AND he has a job.

SanDiegogirl

The NHS is not free. Residents of the UK pay for it via working and their taxes . Since you are US student in the UK you probably don't appreciate this.

xSerephine

Technically, it's a bit rude to assume I dont appreciate it. I do. And I understand now that I shouldn't carelessly say the word "free". I know residents pay for it via taxes and also students who are on a Visa had to pay for it as well before coming to the UK. I meant to say "free" as in you dont get those moments where you panic about having to pay for the hospital or having an emergency visit to the doctor. There are a lot of people who cant afford to go to a hospital in the US so I greatly appreciate the fact that the UK has the NHS which is supported by the British people. Thank you.

zzrmark

I don't know whether the OP has the resources to bring his g/f to the UK.

I do think that sometimes some posters struggle to comprehend how expensive the US system is if you aren't bringing home big bucks on a full company package.
Despite the fact that I pay three times as much in insurance as I did NI (which covers more than just medical expenses), $30 every time anyone sees me, $60 for specialist consultations and more for medicines, I still am having to pay a four figure deductible on a bill for a one off cramp. The hospital billed over $23k and then there was a $1400 bill for the resident radiologist to operate the hospital's equipment and read the results.
At the moment we are discussing scrapping our most basic cable tv package and doing without, not bad for a couple, with a modest house, grossing over $100k a year...

BritInParis

Except your NICs don’t pay for the NHS. It’s paid out of general taxation as is your state pension which NICs are now only tangentially linked to. Any discussion comparing the two systems needs to take into account the entire tax burden and relative health of the person concerned. Most UK taxpayers will contribute far more to the NHS than they ever take out; a tiny majority will take out far more than they will ever be able to repay.

scrubbedexpat099

Perhaps it is time to point out this has nothing to do with tax, purely residence.

Pulaski

Except that isn't true, especially in this thread, where if the OP obtained a visa to live in the UK she would be required to pay an access charge. I suppose you might argue that she would have no basis to become resident without having paid the access charge.

BritInParis

Minority, obvs