Requirements for Spousal Visa in the UK

There are a lot of Filipinos nowadays who are living in the United Kingdom. Some are there for work, while others are staying in the UK for their studies. Apart from these reasons, some of them are in the UK living permanently with their spouses. There is a good number of Filipino citizens who are currently residing together with their partners in the UK holding a spousal visa. If you are one of the many Filipinos wondering how to get a spousal visa, here are a few things that you should remember. 

For starters, you must show that:

• You and your partner are of legal age (18 years old) on the date of your application.

• Your partner does not have the same bloodlines to you – not your relative. 

• Both of you have met in person. 

• The relationship that you both have is genuine.

• If you are married or in a civil relationship, it has to be valid in the UK law. 

• You have to meet the suitability requirements.

• Both of you have intentions in living permanently in the UK.

• You meet the financial requirements. (The way you meet this requirement will be different, depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.)

• You meet the English language requirement.  You will meet this requirement if you (1) are a national of an English-speaking country, (2) have passed an English language test appropriate to your level, ad (3) hold a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or above.  For Filipinos, taking an English language test is most appropriate. Filipinos take the IELTS o r the International English Language Testing System examination. Applicants need to get an overall band score of 4 in the General Training module. 

In your application, you must need the following documents:

• Two recent photographs and a valid passport

• An evidence of you and your partner’s age

• Your marriage or civil partnership certificate

• Evidence that you are both free to marry or enter in a civil relationship

• Evidence that you have personally met

• Evidence of your English language ability – an IELTS certification which is still valid

• Evidence that you have met the financial requirements

It is best for those applicants to meet the requirements earlier for processing can take time. For more information on the documents and financial requirements stated by the UK Border agency, you can visit their website at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration. 

Professions that Require IELTS in Australia

The promise of a better salary and career growth has been more appealing for many Filipinos. Working abroad has been the easiest way to get a higher salary to financially support their families here in the Philippines. There are actually a lot of opportunities for Filipinos to take advantage of. There are quite number of countries that have opened doors of opportunities to Filipino professionals like Australia.

In Australia, there are a lot of jobs that are offered to skilled workers and even professionals working in the medical field. These individuals have to take note that there are strict requirements that they need to acquire when processing their applications and one of these is getting a certification from the International English Language Testing System examination or the IELTS test. The IELTS test has been a very important requirement that one must have; hence, getting the target score in the IELTS is important. Here are some professions that are in demand in Australia together with their IELTS score requirements.

•    Butchery

Filipino butchery should definitely start honing their skills in butchering as this demand is constantly rising in Australia. Interested butchers continue honing their skills by attending seminars here in the country. For their IELTS score requirements, they need to have an overall band score of 5 in the General Training module of the IELTS examination. Please refer to our previous post on how to boost your chances of working as a butcher in Australia at http://pinoyworkandstudyabroad.blogspot.com/2013/08/butchery-in-australia-tips-on-how.html.

•    Nursing professionals

Having a lot of experience is needed in the field of nursing. Also, the need to speak English is a must in hospitals and healthcare institutions. Hence, hospitals and health institutions require an overall band score of 7.0 in the Academic module of the IELTS.

•    Accountants

Accountants are also rising in Australia. With this demand, companies and organizations require an overall band score of 6 in the Academic module of the IELTS.

•    Engineers

Like the accountants, engineers are demanded to have an overall band score of 6.0 in the Academic module of the IELTS examination.

•    Carpenters

Another skilled work that is needed in Australia is carpentry. An IELTS score of 5.0 in all components in the General Training module is required.

It is very important to achieve the IELTS set scores of companies and institutions for them to continue processing their applications. As a very big help to these candidates, being a student in IELTS review center is a very good decision. These training hubs will hone these professionals in developing their skills to be successful in the IELTS examination. Remember, if you are trying to apply for a skilled work in Australia, you should opt to the General Training module. You can refer to the types of IELTS exam modules at http://goo.gl/qgVIOU.

How to Become a Legal Immigrant in Australia – Checklist

Any individual wants to live a better life and work in a good company. In a recent survey, it has been found out that Filipinos have plans in moving to another country and apply a permanent residency. As a Filipino, we are fond of experiencing new culture and being exposed to new and exciting avenues for learning. Speaking of rich culture and new experiences, one country is sure to offer what these Filipinos look for – Australia.

There are a lot of paperwork to be done to acquire a visa to be a legal immigrant in Australia. In addition, the process can be both time consuming and financially challenging. Hence, once granted with a visa, the possibilities of getting a lot of opportunities professionally and personally are endless. To help fellow Filipinos get ready and have the right requirements, here is a checklist that you can have.

•    Age

Any applicant for immigration to Australia must be 50 years old or under when the application is processed.

•    Language

Applicants must have sufficient ability in using the English language. It is a requirement to any applicant to take the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System Examination. There is a point system in granting visas in Australia. Points can be earned for English language proficiency above Competent English, which is a minimum score of 6 on each of the four components of the IELTS General Training. You can find out more about the IELTS exam in these links: JRooz IELTS Blog and IELTS Exams Tips.

Points earned for higher levels of English language proficiency are as follows:

Superior English (a score of at least 8 in each of the four components of the IELTS): 20 Points

Proficient English (a score of at least 7 in each of the four components of the IELTS): 10 Points

•    Job Offer

For those skilled workers, they should be nominated a skilled occupation which fits their skills and qualifications. Their nominated occupation must be found on the Skilled Occupation List.

•    Identifying Documents

All applicants must provide proof of their identity and the following documents: documents that show the applicant’s photo, signature, current address, birth name, date of birth, and gender. If permanent residency is an eligibility requirement, the applicant must provide evidence of his or her arrival in Australia. Permanent residence visa start on the date the visa was issued when you are onshore. For offshore, the date starts on the applicant’s arrival in Australia.

For more information regarding visa application and grants, visit http://www.citizenship.gov.au. Furthermore, it is best to seek advice from Australian immigration consultants regulated by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).

IELTS and Foreign Doctors in the UK

Medical professionals are one profession that has a high number of demands overseas. Filipino medical professionals are seriously taking into consideration the opportunity of practicing their professions outside the country. It is not a secret to anyone that working abroad has a better pay and much clearer career advancement. Hence, more and more medical professionals, specifically doctors, have been planning to find an opportunity abroad – in the United Kingdom.

 

 

Though the idea of working abroad for these doctors is very promising, the competition and the requirements are very strict that doctors should meet. If you are a doctor wishing to practice your profession in the UK, the first thing that they should undergo is training under GMC or the General Medical Council. It applies to all levels of registration, whether provisional, full or on the specialist or general practitioner (GP) register. The conditions that allow the GMC to grant full registration are governed by law under The Medical Art 1983. Doctors should have primary medical qualification and is expected to have completed (overseas) appropriate experience or internship of at least 12 months equivalent to Foundation Year 1.

The first thing doctors need to do is to check with the GMC whether their primary medical qualification make them eligible to apply for registration. Then, doctors will have to provide objective evidence that they have the knowledge and skills needed for working as a doctor in the UK.

Aside from the work experience and educational background requirements in UK, an English language proficiency examination is also required. Doctors need to show their expertise in the English language by taking the IELTS test or the International English Language Testing System exam.

The IELTS examination can be taken here in the Philippines. It is a paper-based test consisting of four sections – speaking, listening, reading, and writing – that help gauge the doctor’s fluency in using the language.

Doctors need to take the Academic module of the IELTS. Candidates must obtain an overall score of 7.0 with minimum scores of 7.0 in the speaking, listening and writing. The IELTS certification is valid for two years. If the candidate fails to reach the score requirement, he or she can take the IELTS exam again until he or she is able to get the score requirement in one sitting.

Doctors should not be complacent in taking the IELTS examination. The best thing to do here is to acquire training and coaching from IELTS review centers in the Philippines. It is the most important part in preparing for the real IELTS examination.