Yes, new doors are opening up for OFWs Overseas Filipino Workers
As one door closes, another one opens! So the saying goes.
But it seems the UK Government are slamming the door in the faces of loyal and hardworking Pinoys, as well as other migrants workers for instance from India and Africa, who have given their all to make a new life here.
Following the onslaught on Senior Carers last year, a number of schemes have just been “deleted” prior to the introduction of Tier 2 of the points based system, for skilled workers, in September.
In April the UK Border Agency (formerly BIA) removed several immigration categories such as writers, composers and artists, self-employed lawyers, innovators and those people here on the International Graduates Scheme, Fresh Talent and Working in Scotland Scheme. In short, precisely the sort of talented and creative people we should be encouraging to stay in the UK.
Meanwhile, thousands of Filipinos are holding their breath awaiting a decision on the fate of Domestic Workers and Work Permit holding Senior Carers, who could find themselves being dumped into Tier 3, for low skilled workers, and thus ineligible for visa renewal and possibly even indefinite leave in the future.
The Domestic Workers Concession, created by a Labour Government in 1998, allows domestic workers brought into the UK by their employers to change jobs and renew their visas. The Home Office has not yet announced exactly how the estimated 17000 workers renewing domestic visas will be treated after September 2008, but the concession could be abolished.
Senior Carers, currently allowed to switch employers under a transitional arrangement set to run until the introduction of Tier 2, are also bracing themselves for bad news. Work Permits for Senior Carers are unlikely to be renewed under PBS, leaving thousands of essential care workers facing the threat of removal.
No wonder so many Filipinos and other overseas workers are fleeing Britain for more welcoming countries such as Canada, Australia and the United States.
Unlike the UK, these countries are opening doors to nurses, skilled workers and even low skilled staff for fast food restaurants. And also unlike the UK, they encourage hardworking migrants to stay by offering permanent residency after two years or even less in some cases.
If you have any specific questions or comments, or need advice, you may email me: cbarker@immigrationmatters.co.uk
For free regular immigration updates on other stories including a change to the HC321 overstayers rule see www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
For jobs to America and Canada, see www.nursejobsamerica.com/latest_jobs.html
Cynthia Barker is a Recruitment Manager & Immigration Adviser for Bison UK and Co Author of “How 2 Come to the UK to Live Work Study or Visit”
Reader Comments
Dear Madam;
good pleasant day! I am Janice Suarez, from Philippines;im going to ask you am I possible to have a job in US, Canada, UK? even I am not nurse Iam BS Psychology 4th year undergraduate…
thanks please help me i want to work outside my country.
janice
gud pm.im presently on a visit visa.just arrived in uk last april 8 2009.my visitor visa will expire on 24/02/10.i want to have a student visa to work legally.just retired from work last dec.2008.in the philippines in meralco as technician.after 20 yrs of work.if also there is available in canada.tnx.edwin
Hello. I’m already in United Kingdom for almost 9 months with a student visa. I’m studying at Hertfordshire University with the course of BSC International nursing. I want to know if there are possibilities to get a working visa since my current visa will expire next year. Im a license nurse with hospital experience in the Philippines and currently employed as a care assistant. If not, is it possible to have a working visa at canada or australia? Thanks. Hope to hear from you very soon.
Hi! I’m a Filipina, 25 years old. I’m a Marketing graduate from University of the Philippines. I graduated four years ago but I started working when I was 19 years old. So, i’ve been working for six years already. I’ve work for McDonald’s when I was 19 until I graduated from college. After that, I was employed as a manager in a local pizza company for two years. Now, I’m employed as a manager in an international pizza company. I plan to apply for jobs in Canada but I don’t have enough resources yet to process visa applications and others. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks so much.
hello!!! im a filipina seeking job in canada,uk or new zealand..im now employed as a branch manager in one of the biggest jewelry store here in the philippines..ive been in the company for 16 yrs now..but im also a teacher by profession since im a graduate of bachelor of arts in economics & a certificate in teaching (education units) so i have an experience in teaching pre-school & elementary students for 5 yrs, before my career in jewelry industry..i hope that you will consider me as an applicant to any job related to my experience..thank you & may GOD bless u more..
Dera Mam,
Hi! I am a filipina ,39 years old.Im work here in Jewelry Store at Mall of Asia as a Sales Consultant.Im seeking ay position and any country you can hire.Hope to hear from you soon.Thank you very much
I was speaking at the MOVE EXPO at SMX Convention Center (Mall of Asia) last month. ‘Thousands attend MOVE Migration Expo which opened in Manila today’ See: http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/thousands-attend-move-migration-expo-which-opened-in-manila-today.html
You will have difficulty qualifying under tier 2 of the points based system for this kind of work. You could look at more open places like Canada, Australia, NZ or the Middle East – all of these countries were represented at the MOVE EXPO.
The UK also offers student courses to ugrade your skills to an international level.
Gud pm. I’m presently on a Tourist visa and just arrived in UK last August 7, 2009. My visa will expire on 29/01/10. I want to have a student visa to work legally. If also there is available in canada/australia that would be ok.
Looking forward for your earliest reply
Thanks & Best regards
HELLO IM RAZEL,IM UNDERGRAD IN THE PHIL AND IWANT TO ASK IF THERES A POSSIBILITY TO WRK HERE IN UK ANY JOB VACANSIES.THANK YOU HOPE YOU COULD REPLY MY LETTER
No point to come to U.K for study, its hell now
Good Day!
I’m a Filipina I’ve been teaching in the public school for 21 years handling mathematics subjects i am also a computer literate presently i am teaching mathematics and computer subjects i am very much willing to work abroad for my 6 children and 5 of them are still studying please advice me what are the steps to be done so that i can work there, waiting for your reply, thank you very much and God bless!!!
Check the UK Border Agency website in the first instance.
Good day madam/sir,Im a Filipina working here in singapore as a nanny and housekeeper for 5 years.I want to work there in UK,Please help me to find a job there as nanny and housekeeper.Thank you so much for the reply.GOD BLESS YOu.
Have a nice day and Happy New Year!
At the outset, I humbly appeal to your end by asking if you have job vacancies available in Canada, USA or UK.
I’m a Filipino a Marketing graduate from a reputable univesity in Mindanao in 1998. My work experiences are as follows:
1999-2002 – Front Desk Clerk in a Hotel., Philippines
2003-2005 – Waiter., Catering Services.,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2005-up to now – Project Secretary ., Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Nowadays, I’m still working in Saudi Arabia. If there’s an opportunity to work there, I would like to apply.
Thanking you in the meanwhile and rest assured that your support in this regard will be much treasured.
I’m waiting and hoping for your response.
Thank you very much and more power.
Sir,Madam,
I am Indian citizien.my Qualification is 3 years diplamo ,I have seven years experiance in instrumentation commissioning and maindenance field i have any opperdunity to work canada are us.now i am working in Qatar
Good afternoon , I am a Filipino citizen, male, 36 yrs. old, married, college level, currently working in religious school here in Davao City as an Audio Visual Technician 12 years in service ,a regular employee. I have also experience in meat cutter 5 years and Furniture Painting, house Painting. I am willing to work and live in Canada, Australia, UK . Please help me to have a new job.
Overseas job recruitment of Filipino’s in the Philippines is regulated by the POEA. Check their website for a list of approved agencies.
Good Day…I am Filipino working at Jollibee Foods Corp here in the Philippines.I much willing to work in food chain in canada for my family to give them a better future.Please advice me what are the steps to be done so i can work there.Thank you very much…
question…if my husbnd is a ofw in canda…?is there posible to sponsor me and our baby…let say he`s work is in mcdonald