How to Work in United Kingdom: Different Types of Visas
The
prospect of earning euros 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 UKcan 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."
These are the information about UK visas from
Tier 1 to Tier 5:
Types of Visa
Tier 1
Highly Skilled Migrant
Tier 2
Skilled Workers With An Offer of
Employment
Tier 3
Temporary, Low Skilled Workers
(currently suspended)
Tier 4
Students
Tier 5
Youth Mobility Schemes/ Temporary
Workers
Allowed Professions/Occupations
Highly
skilled jobs (engineers, information
technology
specialists, and marketing professionals)
Professions
such as nurses, teachers. engineers
Low-skilled
workers or seasonal types of work
Overseas
students who wish to gain entry clearance to study in the UK
Only
available to applicants from participating countries ( Philippines not included)
Requirement
Before Filing Application To
Enter UK
Job
offer is not required
Job
offer/ Certificate of Sponsorship
Job
offer/ Certificate of Sponsorship
Sponsorship
from the educational institution to accept the student
Sponsorship
from national government
Present Income Requirement
18,000
to 40,000 British pounds
Not
applicable
Not
Applicable
Proof
that a student can pay for the tuition fees and living expenses
Funds to
support yourself of not less than GPB1600
Points Required
75
50
40
40
40
Other Requirements
Proficient
in the English language,
Can
support himself and dependents without using public funds
A score
of 7.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
No
standard English language requirement
A score
of 7.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
No
standard English language requirement
Benefits/
Privilege If Application is
Successful
Right to
immigrate to UK, full and
free access to the UK employment market
They can
become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and a path to British
citizenship after five years
Maximum
of 12 months of stay/Applicants will be obliged to return home at the end of
this period.
Temporary
stay in the UK but it would provide qualified
applicants the possibility of transferring to a work permit under Tier 2
Be
allowed to enter UK for a maximum period of 24 months
.
The Tier 1 visa is consists of the four sub-categories:
The Tier 1 General visa is for highly skilled migrants seeking employment in
the UK,
self employed immigrants or immigrants setting up a business. There is also a
Tier 1 Investor visa designed for those investing large sums of money in the UK while Tier 1
Entrepreneur visa is ideal for those setting up or taking over the running of
businesses. Lastly the Tier 1 Post-study visa is for those currently studying
or has studied in the past in the UK.
According
to Geslani, the fastest route for Filipino workers to enter UK nowadays is
through the Tier 4 or the student visa category
He said, "The
fastest route available for Filipino health care workers, dentists,
pharmacists, HRM graduates who want to reach the UK is through the Tier 4
student visa category, which requires the educational institution to accept the
student."
The Tier
3 visa is temporarily suspended for an indefinite period by the UK Border
Agency while the Tie 5 visa is not available to the Filipinos.
