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."

These are the information about UK visas from Tier 1 to Tier 5:  

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.