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I (Canadian) really want to move to UK within 10 years

(Long read)

I'm looking to move within 10 years, but not in the next couple years due to the situation in the world these days. We're under travel restrictions in my province, right now, and I'm fully aware of the restrictions in the UK, too. (I had asked this question a long distance relationship group but I had gotten more criticism and judgements on my relationship than real answers.)

Just a quick backstory:

Me (36) and my boyfriend (26), of 2.5 yrs, have known each other for 3 years. (We're both okay with the age difference, so are our families.) I wasn't seeking or planning a long distance relationship before we got together. I've made 1 trip in the summer of 2019 for 2 weeks ( which was all the vacation time I had available with my job). I have his closest family's blessing and my family is pretty cool with it. I am wanting to plan another trip to visit him once borders open up and it is safe for travel. So, in about 1 or 2 years.

Our current situation is a bit financially and accommodatingly inconvenienced, at the moment, but at any point things can improve and change. I already know he's not going to be a good candidate to get get a Fiancé or Spousal Visa and, quite frankly, after researching the conditions of what it means to be an immigrant for spouse it's not something I want. (I don't want to have deportation over my head if things do ever go south with the relationship. And I'm not saying that because I think there will be a big problem like that. I'm just trying to think smart and consider all possibilities, as I know well enough shit happens. Plus, I know he won't meet all the requirements.)

Something I've been imagining myself doing for years is moving to another country, somewhere in the UK being one of those places. I wasn't really looking for an international relationship when I met my boyfriend I'm not with him "for a green card" or anything like that.

I'm the type of person who's very afraid of making serious mistakes and repercussions. I like to make sure all the knots are secure, every 'i' is dotted and every 't' is crossed before signing anything and submitting it when it's legal documents and government forms. I want to make sure I follow the rules, exactly. I'm not afraid to take a UK Citizen's Test, as an English-speaking Canadian, and I do feel like getting my citizenship will be the best thing to do.

I have looked at immigration sites to find out what the requirements are and what options there are for me.

Some things I want to consider as a possibility:

I work for a company that has international branches, UK being one of them, and they have an office in my boyfriend's city. I have casually spoken to HR about what possibilities there are for me to relocate to that office, and was told if there are job openings that can be filled by an international employee I could be considered. I know there are probably pros and cons to this. I would like some advice from someone who's experienced working abroad on a work Visa who's trying to move to UK permanently.

And then there is studying in the UK at a university or college. I do have my high school diploma, but I'm not sure if I have the credits or grades to get into Uni. But I can do college. I'm looking at college courses here, too, for an actual skill so I can get out of this dead-end job once and for all.

Since I'm Canadian, I have the possibility of getting dual citizenship. I know there are pros and cons to this, as well. There's the responsibilities of paying taxes to 2 countries and having to live periodically in one or the other, regularly.

And then there is expat, or leaving my Canadian citizenship behind and becoming a full-on UK citizen, which I am okay with. I'm a bit confused what expat entails, exactly.

I have no relatives born in the UK after my great grandparents on either side of my family. I have one cousin who's mom moved to UK after leaving my Uncle. But I'm not close to him, although he is in my FB friends and I have chatted with him.

I know I have to save dearly, a good 63,500 GBP or my boyfriend has to be earning 18,600 annually at a job, and be able to precisely fill out a spousal Visa application. Good God, I don't know I can trust he will not make a dire mistake, haha. I'm really just laughing out of nervousness, but he's not the most literate person, unfortunately.

I know it's a long read but I know you guys are going to have a lot of questions and assumptions. I just really want to know if it's a good idea to try to move to the UK without getting my boyfriend involved in the process and go about it my own way? I don't mind not living with him for a bit. I think that would be wiser than going straight all moving in. Or am I overthinking everything?

Is there anything I really should know that some of you experienced firsthand? What are some things you wish you knew sooner?

Any kind of advice and/or firsthand experience would be great. If you've gotten this far, thank you so much.

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source https://www.reddit.com/r/immigration/comments/l9bxdq/i_canadian_really_want_to_move_to_uk_within_10/
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