Help with obtaining visa for the UK - already have a job offer?

There are three different official matters:

Passport, which you get from the US Dept of State and can apply for at most post offices; you need this ASAP. You have to have a passport to get your visa and permits so do this immediately.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738_2.h...

Visa which allows you to travel to and enter the UK. If you were just going for a visit or business trip you wouldn't need one as a US Citizen. However, you will need one if you are coming to the UK to work.

Residence and/or work permit. Since you have been hired for a job in the UK your employer is your sponsor and should be able to help you navigate the issues in obtaining authorization to live and work in the UK.

I would need more details about your employment in order to give exact information (the length of the job agreement, the type of work to be done will affect the application and rules that control the situation) but in general you can find the process involved and download applications, etc. from these sites; it seems to me that you are probably a sponsored skilled worker.

You must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a valid certificate of sponsorship and pass the points-based assessment to be eligible to apply. You should read the eligibility requirements for your category in full before applying. This is a tier 2 application and you should select the right category at:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/t...

Now as I say it's quite complex depending on the type of job and length and sponsorship. Your employer should be helping you with this and don't try to travel to the UK until you have navigated the system and have the appropriate visa and work permissions.

Other helpful links:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

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

Remember that you are dealing with two different issues though, one is entering the UK and the other is working and living in the UK. That often involves multiple agencies.

You should contact the embassy first, but I've a feeling that unless you've some special skill, you may not qualify for a work permit!