Hi,How difficult is it to relocate to the UK? Specifically, if someone, currently not based in the UK, believes that his / her profile is well suited to jobs posted on the Jobs board, is there a chance that one's application will be processed?Or do HH give interview calls only to people based in the same geographical area as the recruiting bank?Also, are companies in the UK flexible in sponsoring permits for overseas applicants?Any inputs on the above will help a great deal,Thanks in advance.

If you feel that you are suitable for these roles apply for HSMP (High Skilled Migration Program). If you under 28 it almost as easy as getting holiday visa. With HSMP, your hard work and luck you will achive your goal. It is definitely more difficult to get a work if you apply from outside, but make some shots, apply directly.... Enter the Country with HSMP and if you desperate for cash work as a bartender for 3-6 months.

Thanks for your inputs PlainVanilla.Narrowing down my query to HHs and posts on Wilmott's Jobs Board, are overseas candidates given a chance for these roles (hmmm interview calls for telephonic interviews..). I remember posts on efinancialcareers specifically mentioning Work Permit requirements in respective headers.Thanks.

Telephone interviews do not mean a lot and still they will need to pay your airplane ticket. You need to be very lucky if you are not top at your work in your country. My opinion- if you are not a professor in fin math or you did not achive smth extraordionary (say your name not in any finance journal or as a developer of quantlib.org) you do not stand chance to be hired from you country. Get a HSMP visa, come to live in UK for 6-8 months and apply from it - then you will be treated as an average workforce with descent chance of beign hired. HSMP means you have a relevant work permit.

How easy it is to get a job if you have a HSMP + MSc (Fin Math) + B.Engg (Comp Science) + 4.5 Yrs of experience in C++ programming in developing Financial software. How good are perspective to get a job in an investment bank ?Is it necessary to have an investment banking experience to get a job in an investment bank ?

QuoteOriginally posted by: ArchimedeanIs it necessary to have an investment banking experience to get a job in an investment bank ?this is quoted from Bear Stearn's web site:"QualificationsYou should have a graduate degree in business, a background in finance, and an understanding of accounting. Previous investment banking experience is not required. The most important attribute is a strong desire to take full advantage of the unique, entrepreneurial environment offered at Bear Stearns."

About relocation possibilities:From my experience companies in US will pay for your trip (inside US) if they like you during phone interviews,but to get an interview in London I had to come to London myself. Only after banks decided that they would most probably hire me,they have started to pay for my trips.

Ezhik, it's my experience top 20 London IBs will pay your flights and accomm if needed. E.g. at the lowest example, ML will in fly people from the US and across Europe and pay their overnight accom (if justified) even for the first round undergrad intern interviews. At another top 20 London Bank I went to an interview a few months ago and HR were positively forcing me to try and claim back the cost of my Tube fare (I live in London). I thought that was a little OTT...

QuoteOriginally posted by: LondonPeteEzhik, it's my experience top 20 London IBs will pay your flights and accomm if needed. E.g. at the lowest example, ML will in fly people from the US and across Europe and pay their overnight accom (if justified) even for the first round undergrad intern interviews. At another top 20 London Bank I went to an interview a few months ago and HR were positively forcing me to try and claim back the cost of my Tube fare (I live in London). I thought that was a little OTT...This meshes with my experience also. I was flown down from Scotland a few times and out to a couple of European capitals. OK so it was economy class (coach) and I pretty much flew in and out on the same day - but they were very reasonable about the whole thing.

Claim EVERYTHING - they can afford it!

What kind of paperwork does a US citizen need to work in London??In the late 1990s I considered working in Germany (not finance). But German companies and the German government were not receptive to hiring US workers or consultants. Basically, getting transferred to Germany while employed at a US company was the only option.

About this HSMP (described here: http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/workin ... _mar04.pdf):Please let me ask a stupid question: The HSMP allows someone to enter the UK to look for work. Does it allow someone to accept a job and start working? Is it the same as a work permit?For a, perhaps, less stupid question: The HSMP costs 150 pounds and requires paperwork and jumping through some hoops getting letters from past employers. As a US citizen, I get 6 months visa free entry so the visa aspect is useless to me. The benefit, it would seem, is that employers would be more willing to hire a foreigner who already had a work permit. So, how valuable is the HSMP? Do few or most employers care about the paperwork?

HSMP- is a "detachable" work permit. Or better say- green card for one year. Good things about this viza- you can leave in the country for one year, and make your living as even a waiter- in case you are not prepared to pay 1k pounds per month for a year of not working... if you fail to find a job. All these reasoning are excellent for non-Eglish speaking countries.Paperwork. Do it for your own sake. If a company does not want to hire you argumenting that they can not work permit- they are not worth working for. The most that they loose is 5k gbp on a laywer and 2-3 months for paper work. Mind, that all workers here have 1 month motice, good ones 3 months.... so if they want to hire good one it will be 2-3 months. 5k gbp is peanuts as well.

PlainVanilla, can you clarify your posting. Are you saying that I can apply for a UK entry visa and work permit without having a pre-arranged job?? When I considered working in Europe, someone "pulling" from the other side was needed. I would love to work in London and Im willing to pay my own way for the chance. But I just don't see how to affect the opportunity.

lifo pointed out nice guidelines. All you need- is to be qualified- i.e. have a good score, and show that your skills are in demand in this country- i.e. job ads. After you get HSMP program I think you must enter the country in 3 months. This visa will be reviewed in 1 year time. You can take ANY full time work, but if it will not be your "profile" you may be refused in extension. The whole idea of this visa- is to allow bright people to come into the country without any "pulling" home company.