Getting a UK work permit and visa part 1

For the past several months, I have been waiting to get my work permit and visa for my move to the UK to begin my NSF IRFP post-doc. I am writing in the hopes to help anyone out there trying to muddle their way through this frustrating process. I haven't included all of the details and requirements; be sure to read the forms and instructions carefully. One note of caution, you can't pay to speed this up unlike in the States where you can spend a few bucks to grease the wheel. To visit for less than a year, a US citizen can travel on their passport. If visiting, working, etc., for more than a year, you need a entry clearance or visa. Because I will be working in the UK, even though my funding is from the US, I am required to get a work permit. To obtain a work permit, your employer, or in my case my host scientist, must submit the paperwork on your behalf. There are different work permit applications for different types of positions. For example, my job falls into the category of sponsored research. Each type of permit has different requirements in the way of supporting documents. The time for processing a work permit is about 18 days. The British Border Agency sends the work permit to the employer and they send it to you. You need it for the visa application. The next step is the online visa application or VAF. This system requires the input of information verifying your identity etc. You can save the online form and return to it for 7 days. You enter your work permit number this detail requires you to wait to have the work permit in hand, or the number sent to you before filling out the form. You must also make an appointment to submit biometric data. The issue about scheduling an appointment to submit biometric data is a bit tricky. Don't bother trying to call any of the immigration offices that are listed as optional places to make the appointment. Their numbers are unlisted and they don't know anything about it anyway since they handle US Immigration. I also tried the $12 flat rate phone call to world bridge and info service for UK Immigration and they weren't much help either. Although it isn't mentioned until you complete the online application and pay, the available dates to schedule an appointment pop up at the end of the application process. I filled out my application on Thursday and my appointment is Monday, so at least in my case, there is no long delay in getting an appointment. The problem for me is that living in Northwest Arkansas, my closest centers are KC, OK City and Memphis, all of which are relatively long drive. I really wanted to find out how long until I could get an appointment and choose the fastest one, but it is not possible. I don't yet know what submitting biometric data entails, but will post about it and the rest of the process after my appointment. I chose Memphis because I can stay overnight in Little Rock with friends and family and I like their BBQ the best.