Where Can I Take IELTS in the Philippines

Living in the city or the countryside in the Philippines has both advantages and disadvantages. In the city, great opportunities and a more convenient life are offered. However, you are faced with a number of problems like traffic and pollution every day. In the province, everything is peaceful and far from the city’s pollution but opportunities are very limited. People from the province had to go to the city on different purposes and one of these was to take English proficiency exams. Fortunately, the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination is already offered in key cities here in the Philippines.

There is less hassle now for Filipinos who are in need of an IELTS score. Through British Council and IDP, the IELTS test has been made available in different cities nationwide. Here is a list of cities in the Philippines where the IELTS is held:

It is evident that a lot of Filipinos are in need of the IELTS score. The best thing about IELTS being available in these cities is that IELTS review is also present in these cities. There is no need to go to Manila to get quality training as different academies have opened their branches in other cities.

What is in these IELTS review centers? IELTS review centers are the best way to prepare for the IELTS. With its delicately created IELTS review programs, review centers aim to give to their clients their target scores within the review period. They have coaches and mentors that are highly qualified and trained to instruct and have classroom lectures in building skills for the IELTS. Moreover, IELTS review centers conduct a weekly assessment to gauge their students’ performance and progress. Through this, they will be able to determine the weaknesses that need to be addressed. Studying with IELTS review centers are much better than studying alone. Coaches will be able to elaborate and explain ideas and they can be speaking partners as well.

The availability of the IELTS examination in different cities here in the Philippines has made it possible for any Filipino individual to get the certification they need for their applications. Now, Filipinos can take the test and IELTS review programs in their very own convenience in their own cities.

The 457 Visa; IELTS and Other Requirements

Going to Australia for work? Then, you have to apply for 457 visa!

The 457 visa permits any granted individual to work temporarily in Australia for four year; however, this does not guarantee a permanent residence status. Filipinos who are granted with 457 via can also bring their family with them – they can even work and study too. This visa is applied by a prospective employer or sponsor. This employer shows intention in hiring overseas workers, nominate the positions to be filled and act as the primary sponsors for these employees applying for the said visa.

Applicants should be able to have an offer of employment from the employer before they can apply the visa. Furthermore, they should meet all the requirements needed in this visa.

To be considered for this visa type, applicants should:

• be sponsored by an employer to fill a vacant and nominated position
• work in a skilled position approved by the Australian Government in the Consolidated sponsored occupations list
• have skills, qualifications, experience and an employment background needed for the position to be filled
• have taken the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System with an overall band score of 5 in all components – speaking, listening, reading, and writing – in the General Training module
• have relevant licenses for the vacant position
• demonstrate that the individual is to be paid at least the minimum salary level applied at the time the visa is granted
• meet all health and character requirements
• be of 18 years and above and willing to respect Australian values and follow the Australian law
• have health insurance
• pay all non-refundable application fees

The occupation you should be applying for should be approved by the Australian Government. This list of eligible occupations is on the Skilled Occupation List. With the occupation you are applying for, you need to show that you have the right skills and experience for this. There is a Document checklist for visa applicants that will help candidates check whether they have the right expertise for the job.

Like any other requirements listed above, the IELTS should be taken before preparing the other documents. Candidates who fail to reach the score of 5 need to take the IELTS again until they obtain the set score. Due to this, it is highly recommended for any candidate to undergo IELTS training in IELTS review centers to ensure their success in the IELTS examination.

Types of US Visas - A Comprehensive Guide for Filipinos

The United States of America – to any Filipino, there is a great opportunity waiting for them whether for business or for pleasure. Who would not want to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, New York Time Square and the famous Statue of Liberty? For many Filipinos, visiting the USA is included in their bucket lists. However, the sad truth is it is not easy for Filipinos to travel to the USA. It is not an open country unlike other countries; thus, a visit to the USA requires a USA visa.

Having known this, Filipinos should be reminded that there are different kinds of USA visas to choose from. It is better to be decided the reason or purpose for travelling in the USA. Here is some US visa information.

1. US Visitor Visa

The US B-2 Tourist Visa is a Non-Immigrant Visa is the most used type of visa and is what you should apply for if you are visiting the country for travel and medical treatment. Since there are lots of cases where a US Visitor Visa intends to immigrate, any applicant for US B-2 Tourist Visa should present the following:

a. The sole purpose of the trip is for travelling and medical treatment

b. The duration of your stay

c. Evidence that you are capable to cover all the expenses while in the country

If you are travelling for a medical treatment, you must provide a medical diagnosis from your doctor indicating the need for medical treatment abroad, a letter from a physician from the US showing and detailing the treatment costs, and financial statement that the patient can cover all other expenses.

2. US Business Visa

This type of visa, US B-1 Business Visa, is also a Non-Immigrant Visa for those individuals who are planning to enter the country for business activities such as business conferences, company trainings, and even negotiations on clients. The same policies follow as for the B-2 US visa.


3. US Student Visa

 

The F-1 Student Visa is for those individuals who are going to be studying in academic institutions in the US. The first thing a student should do is to get accepted in an academic institution and present an approval documentation (FORM I-20) which is needed for the student visa application. There are two types of student visas: M-1 for vocational courses and J-1 for those under foreign exchange programs.

4. US Working Visa 

Like the US Student Visa, there are two different kinds of US Work Visa. First is the H2B Work Visa which is awarded for applicants who will be working on a temporary basis like summer jobs in hotels and resorts. The second is H1B Work Visa. This is what most work working professionals are after for having this visa means the possibility to apply for a US Green Card. This visa is for US employers to hire international professionals to work for them.

For more information on the requirements and the limitations of these visas mentioned above, you can visit http://www.visapo.com/US-united-states-visitor-business-student-work-visas-for-filipinos-filipinas-philippines-H1B-H2B-B1-B2-F1.php. The information will help you understand the differences of the visas together with their advantages.

New Zealand Visa Requirements for Foreign Students

Studying abroad is every student’s dream. There is a great feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment to students when they are able to experience studying in prestigious universities and colleges overseas. Many Filipino students have this excitement when it comes to studying overseas. Studying overseas not only provide them good education but also great experience as they are exposed to new cultures in other countries.

New Zealand is one destination most Filipinos are aiming for. New Zealand is a great place to study as they have reputable academic institutions and the environment is very conducive for learning. For Filipinos, studying in New Zealand requires certain documents. Here is what Filipinos need in applying for a student visa in New Zealand.

1. Offer of a place

This offer of place is from a New Zealand education provider. This offer should include the education provider’s name and contact details. This contact details include address, phone or fax number and its email address. In addition, it should also include the name of the program and the time required to finish it. Moreover, it should include a proof that this programme and the education provider has met New Zealand’s requirement for international students. The offer should also include the amount of the programme, and confirmation of all the requirements under the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.

2. Confirmation of Enrollment

This is needed for those students who are returning to the academic institution in New Zealand.

3. Primary and Secondary Schools

These can offer paces to international students. The difference that they have is that they are funded, which affects their ability to offer programme of study to international students. Tertiary education providers can offer programme to international students as long as they meet certain conditions.

4. Guardians

For those students who are under 13 years old, they should be accompanied by a guardian.

5. Health and Character

Health and character requirements will prove that your intent in studying in New Zealand is genuine.

6. Evidence of Funds

Any individual should provide proof that they can support their education and living costs while in New Zealand. This should cover accommodation, living costs and other expenses while studying overseas.

Some may be wondering about any English language proficiency examinations as a requirement for the student visa. The language requirement actually depends on the academic institution that an individual is applying for. Individuals need to contact the school, university, or college for their English test score requirement.

IELTS Passing Rate for Canada

Thousands of Filipino working professionals and students have been targeting to work and study overseas. Some even are planning to stay there for good. Amongst many countries abroad, Canada is one of the countries that seem promising for professional and personal growth of Filipinos.

Known as the second largest country in terms of land area, Canada has been a favoured destination of many Filipinos in the past few years. Career opportunities have been growing and so is the chance of being enrolled in a prestigious college or university in the country. This is the very reason why the number of Filipinos flying to Canada has increased. Though working and studying seem easy, completing certain requirements before entry to their country is a must.

There are quite a number of requirements both business firms and academic institutions require. In addition, a certification of one’s expertise in the English language is needed. Canada accepts the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination certificate.

The Citizenship and Immigration Canada is proud to say that they accept IELTS General Training certification from any individuals as a requirement of their English language proficiency. The General Training is applicable for working visa, permanent residence application and even Canadian citizenship application.

The national standards used in Canada for describing, measuring, and recognizing the language proficiency of an applicant is based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Applicants are advised to check with the institution they are applying for on what their score requirements are. A table below shows the equivalent IELTS score according to the CLB standards. 

CLB	IELTS Listening	IELTS Reading	IELTS Writing	IELTS Speaking
1	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
2	2.0	1.5	2.0	2.0
3	3.5	2.5	3.0	3.0
4	4.5	3.5	4.0	4.0
5	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0
6	5.5	5.0	5.5	5.5
7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
8	7.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
9	8.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
10	8.5	8.0	7.5	7.5
11	9.0	8.5	8.0	8.0
12	9.0	9.0	9.0	9.0

Candidates have to remember that there are two different modules in the IELTS – Academic and General Training. As a candidate, you have to be sure which of these is the required test of the institution you are applying for. The difference between these two is their reading and writing assessments. Passages are much easier and shorter in the reading and writing tasks are less complicated in the General Training than in the Academic module. Given the fact the General Training is much easier, candidates should still undergo training and intensive classroom lectures in the best IELTS review centers. Always consider that the success of your IELTS test relies on your preparedness in taking the test.