How to Work in United Kingdom: Different Types of Visas

The prospect of earning pounds instead of dollars as well as experiencing life in a European country makes United Kingdom (UK) an attractive destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The good news is that UK has many job opportunities for foreign workers. In fact it is reported that 150,000 job opportunities are waiting for Filipino workers in UK.

Emmauel Geslani, a recruitment consultant said that the following jobs are still in demand in UK: healthcare workers, environmental specialists, information technology and scientist, telecoms specialists, marketing executives, teachers, and social care personnel

However, not all who want to wok in UK can fulfill their dream. The competition is stiff not only with fellow Filipino workers but also with workers of other nationalities. To be able to enter UK, qualified applicants need to go through the points based system that is being implemented by the Borders and Immigration System since 2008.

Under system, all foreigners who wish to enter UK are required to undergo a managed immigration program with a five-tier system.

Geslani said. “This means depending on the category of (the) visa, you will be permitted to live and work in the UK, seek and undertake employment, establish a business, invests or be self-employed."

How to Work in United Kingdom: Different Types of Visas

Transit Visa not allowed for working in UK

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration warned Filipino seafarers who were granted of transit visas in the United Kingdom are not allowed to work in the country as well as in the UK fishing industry.

The UK Border Agency reported that there are some Filipino seafarers who are working in Scotland and Northern Ireland as fisherman and they are receiving salaries below the UK minimum wage and poor accommodation; they are living in harbors and on board fishing vessels.

The POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili quoted from the UK Border Agency that transit visas in UK is basically temporary visas issued for non-European Union seafarers, including Filipinos joining vessels in the UK which are bound for foreign ports or traveling international waters for a longer period.

Manalili pointed out that these visas do not apply to UK-based work, instead it requires a working visa.

Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Manila is now implementing a new point-based system in assessing applications for permission to enter the Unsited Kingdom.

The new system replaces some 80 ways to work and study in the UK and consists of five tiers: Tier 1 for highly skilled workers; Tier 2 for skilled workers with job offer; Tier 3 for low skilled workers filling specific temporary labor shortages; tier 4 for students; and Tier 5 for youth mobility and temporary workers.

Source:
INQUIRER.net

Student visas for UK? Beware!

The public is advised to be wary of an illegal recruitment practice luring Filipino students to go to London on a student visa. The recruiters were Filipinos based in London who promise them work in nursing homes for twenty (20) hours with pay as part of the curriculum.

The Philippine Embassy in London has reported that 34 Filipino students have been victimized by these recruiters. Police authorities raided the school for failure to open the courses offered to the students.

The students are supposed to be attending the London School of Health & Management Studies (LSHMS) after payment of 2,500 - 3,500 British Pounds or some US$5,000 – US$7,000 for tuition and student visa fees. The victims also paid additional 150 British Pounds for transportation expenses upon arrival in the United Kingdom.