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[ataraxia]

I just got a job at a UK university -- a 5-year fixed term lectureship (i.e., not the UK version of tenure track). The uni is sponsoring me for a work permit. I am trying to figure out if my partner can come to the UK and work, and I haven't found the home office website very helpful. Does anyone have experience with this?

The website is:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf4husbandswivespartners

I suppose part of what I don't understand is whether I, on a work permit, would count as "present and settled".

thanks!

[ideagirl]

Call your local British consulate (i.e. the consulate that handles your region of the country). I believe spouses can generally work, but non-spouses (domestic partners) can't. Britain does offer at least some immigration rights to gay couples, though, so that might be an option for those in that situation.

[scotia]

I only know of one (specialist) institution in the UK that has tenure, so there is no UK equivalent of tenure track. My understanding is that if you have a contract for more than four years the university has to justify why the contract should not be continued. This has been in the news in the last few days:

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=402284&sectioncode=26

I think you would have a strong case for being present and settled.

[science_expat]

Here's a great forum for that kind of thing - http://talk.uk-yankee.com/