UK Visa Online Application & Payment in Full Swing - UKBA

The United Kingdom Border Agency's (UKBA) move to make visa application & payment via online by 2013 or 2014 is in full swing. Beginning December 19, 2011 all UK Visa applications must be completed using the UKBA online application system and be paid online in Euros.

The move is specifically for the following countries:

Austria (Vienna)
Bulgaria (Bucharest)
Poland (Warsaw)
Czech Republic (Prague)
Hungary (Budapest)
Sweden (Stockholm)
Finland (Helsinki)
Denmark (Copenhagen)
Serbia (Belgrade)
Macedonia (Skopje)
Iceland (Reykjavik)
Croatia (Zagreb)
Slovenia (Ljubljana)
Norway (Oslo)

UPDATE:

Kosovo (Pristina)
Moldova (Chisinau)

Location of the British Embassy on the country is indicated inside parentheses on the list.

Afterwhich, applicants will be given appointments as to when to submit printed copy of their application form and biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) to the visa application center at the British Embassy on that country. The appointments will be booked online.

So, for those interested in acquiring a UK Visa, it certainly helps to be online savvy and to know the website of the British Embassy in your area. Saving money now, preferably in Euros, will also be a big help to your application.

Source: UKBA Website

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1000 Slots for Young Japanese Nationals to Live, Work, Study in UK for up to 2 years

[UPDATE Dec. 21, 2011] UK 2012 Youth Mobility Scheme

"All applicants have an equal chance of selection", says the UKBA. Do not believe immigration agents who claim that they increase someone's chance of being selected.

*****

The United Kingdom will open up its 2012 Youth Mobility Scheme in January 2012 offering 1,000 slots to young Japanese Nationals, allowing them to live, work or study in UK for up to 2 years.

Source: 2012 Youth Mobility Scheme

Japanese youth interested should request an application appointment via e-mail. They must send an e-mail to YMS2012-APPOINTMENT@vfshelpline.com stating that they are applying for the 2012 Youth Mobility Scheme and from what country they intend to apply from.

IMPORTANT:

The header or subject line of the email must contain your name, date of birth and passport number. For example: YAMADA Taro - 31/01/1990 - TH123456789.

The email account will only be open from 12:00 pm January 4, 2012 to 12:00 pm January 6, 2012 (Japan Time).

Only 1000 applicants will be chosen at random and will be sent an email confirmation by January 12, 2012. The e-mail confirmation also includes further instruction on how to proceed with the application.

Source: 2012 Youth Mobility Scheme

As Christmas is approaching, informing your young Japanese friends about this opportunity may be the best gift you can give them.

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Filipino Caregivers Against New Immigration Law in UK

Just a month ago, Filipino domestic helper in Hong Kong was in the news after winning her legal battle for permanent residency in Hong Kong. And now, Filipino caregivers in UK is protesting against the new UK Immigration Law that would disallow thousands of lowly paid migrant caregivers from settling in the UK after five years of work.

Kanlungan project staff Jamima Fagta, in an email to the Inquirer from London, said two caregivers, Lourdes Dizon Somera and Gundelina Ramirez shared their difficulties in obtaining their Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) document, which would allow them to live in the UK after five years of work.

The two explained to lawmakers how immigration rules affect them and their families, their work and the community as a whole.

Somera, who went to the UK five years ago to work and support her family and her younger siblings back home, said she was "devastated" when her application for ILR was rejected.

Read full story here.

There is quite a number of Filipino workers in UK including those with UK Student Visa.

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Check Out the UKBA India Facebook Page

People in India who would like to visit the United Kingdom should check out the recently made UK Border Agency - India's Facebook Page.

Click the image to get to UKBA India Facebook Page

They can received updates and information about current processing times for applications, changes to UK Immigration policy and other relevant news.

They can even ask general questions there relating to visa issues, customs requirements among others.

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UK English Test Update

English language ability is an important requirement when going apply for a visa to the United Kingdom (UK). Those wanting to work or migrate there should know and be updated with information relating to the required English language test for UK.

English Tests must be hurdled to work or live in the UK.
ETS, TOEFL & TOIEC are their respective registered trademarks.

Ammended List of Approved English language test providers for applications made under Tiers 1, 2 and 4 of the points-based system and for spouse or partner applications.

• three tests awarded by Cambridge ESOL now offer certification at 3 levels of the Common European Framework rather than just 2 levels. The tests include the Cambridge English: Key, Cambridge English: Preliminary and Cambridge English: Business Preliminary
• the Educational Testing Service (ETS) have updated their web address for their test of English for international communication (TOEIC) and test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)
• Pearson have updated their contact details and clarified that they do not issue paper certificates
• separate certificate and notification of candidate results sheet are required for speaking part of the City and Guilds English language test

[Source]

The revised list may be downloaded at this page.

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Tier 1 Latest News - UK invites the Best & the Brightest in Science, Engineering, Arts & Humanities to be Immigrants

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) home office announced that the United Kingdom is opening its door to migrants who excels in the fields of Science, Engineering, Arts & Humanities.

Under the New Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category of UK immigration rules, scientist, engineers, artists and those into Humanities will be given the chance to migrate, find work and possibly settle permanently in UK.

Image from Dreamstime Free Photos

Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) will be overseen by world-renowned 'competent bodies', which will advise the UK Border Agency on these 'exceptionally talented' migrants to ensure that they are the brightest and best in their field:

• the Royal Society, a fellowship of the world's most eminent scientists, will be able to nominate up to 300 places
• Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts, will also be able to nominate up to 300 places
• the Royal Academy of Engineering, Britain’s national academy for engineering, will have up to 200 places to nominate
• the British Academy, the national academy for the humanities and social sciences will be able to nominate up to 200 places.

Source: UKBA

An endorsement from any of these competent bodies will be enough for exceptional migrants to enter the UK even without employer sponsorship.

This new category will open 1000 slots. The first 500 places will be offered between August 9 to November 30, 2011. 500 more places will be available from December 1, 2011 to March 31,2012. The number of slots assigned to each field may be changed depending which is more in demand.

The exceptional ones accepted under the Tier 1 Category will be granted stay for 3 years and 4 months. Afterwhich, they can apply for an extension of two years. 5 years of residence in UK make them eligible to apply for permanent residency.

This immigration policy will give exceptional minds & talents around the world not only a great chance to be in UK but more importantly to be with fellow exceptional migrants.

To exceptional Filipinos who would go to UK via Tier 1 (Exceptional Talents) category, I hope they would still remember to help their motherland.

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UK Immigration Policy Changes, Advisory from Philippine Embassy in London

The Philippine Embassy in London advises Filipino nationals in the United Kingdom (UK), especially those who plan to apply for entry to the UK under a work or study route, of the recently announced UK immigration policy changes.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced the following major changes in the Points Based System of Immigration (PBS) effective April 2011. The changes are designed to reduce net migration, to build confidence in the Immigration System, to select the best and brightest to work/study in the UK, and to bear down on the abuses of the system.

• The Tier 1 (Highly-Skilled Migrants) General Category will be closed to new applications while transitional arrangements will be introduced for existing Tier 1 visa holders looking to extend their stay.
  
• Exceptional Talent visas will be introduced for people in science and the arts.
  
• Prospective Entrepreneur Visas will likewise be introduced and settlement in the UK for investors will be accelerated.
  
• For Tier 2 (Skilled Migrants) Category, there will be a limit of 20,700 places for Out-of-Country (out of the UK) applications, as the route will become more selective and target the best workers.
  
• Tier 2 will be reserved for graduate occupations determined by the UKBA and the Migrant Advisory Committee (MAC) - the current list includes nurses, medical practitioners, IT operations technicians, finance/investment analysts and engineers.
  

The full list is posted on www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. Filipinos are advised to check detailed information on this website on the guidelines and requirements for applying to work or study in the UK.

For any UK job offers, verify it at the following:


Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)
www.poea.gov.ph


Philippine Overseas Labor Office-UK (POLO)
polo.london@yahoo.co.uk
embassy@philemb.co.uk

From the DFA Website.

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Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, Other Careers To Explore At Chevron

One of the prestigious companies to look for Metallurgical and Materials engineering careers is at Chevron Corporation.

Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, and active in more than 180 countries.

It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining, marketing and transport; chemicals manufacturing and sales; and power generation. Chevron is one of the world's six "supermajor" oil companies and continuously ranked as one of America's 5 largest corporations in the past five years. - Wikipedia

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Careers at Chevron will involve a wide range of activities, including metallurgy, welding, corrosion control and nonmetallic materials. Chevron is looking for candidates with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical or Petroleum Engineering.

Duties will include:

• Selecting materials
  
• Resolving corrosion problems
  
• Conducting failure analyses
  
• Researching and solving problems
  
• Providing nondestructive examination support
  

Explore a career at Chevron on this page or check out the following pages:

• Chevron in Canada
  
• Chevron in United Kingdom
  
• Chevron in United States
  
• Chevron in the Philippines
  

*NOTE: This entry is purely for informational purposes only for job seekers.

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Planning to Study in UK?

If you are planning to study in UK, make sure you are guided properly. Student visa program in UK is not designed to provide employment for those seeking employment abroad. Although most agencies here in the Philippines offer it as an employment opportunity, it is actually not right.

UK Student Visa is an online resource for those planning to study in UK. Get the latest information about UK Student Visa Application from www.uk-student-visa.com.

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UK Border Agency Crackdown, 7 Filipino Women Arrested

Let this serve as a lesson to those wanting to enter the United Kingdom thru illegal means.

The UK Border Agencyraided areas in London last September 16 and arrested 11 persons including seven Filipinas. These 7 Filipinas are currently detained pending deportation.

The immigration offenses were not stated but the UK Border agency conducts nationwide crackdown operations to counter illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organized immigration crimes.

Ed Mackie, UK Border Agency's Regional Manager in the Philippines, is urging Filipinos to comply with the conditions of their entry when going to the UK.

Filipinos wanting to study, work or immigrate to the United Kingdom are therefore advised to exert every effort to find out the legality and validity of any offer - whether its a job, immigration or study offer in UK - before proceeding to pay.

More information can be found by checking POEA website, the website of UK Embassy in the Philippines or the UK Border Agency Page.

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OFW Advisory: Beware of UK Student Visa

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.

Source:www.poea.gov.ph

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Filipino seafarers with transit visas not allowed to work in UK

Filipino seafarers with transit visas not allowed to work in UK.

The United Kingdom's Border Agency recently announced that Filipino seafarers who have been issued transit visas are not allowed to work in the UK fishing industry.

The UK transit visas are basically temporary visas 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.

Source:www.poea.gov.ph

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