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What Type of Module is Applicable for 189 Visa in Australia?

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One dream of every Filipino is to be able to work and live overseas. There are so any benefits in living abroad that includes better salary packages, better benefits from the government and above all, the chance to explore and travel another country. Among the many countries in the world, Filipinos target English speaking countries like Australia.

There are a lot of visa types in Australia. One of these is Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189. Let us take a look on the scope and requirement of this visa type.

Australian visa works on a point system. Individuals who are applying for a particular visa should get the required number of points before they can lodge their applications. One of these visas is the Australian Visa 189, a skilled work visa. This visa is intended for those skilled workers who are not sponsored by any employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. Once awarded to the applicant, he or she is allowed to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.

To apply for this visa, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and must be invited through SkillSelect to apply. Once the immigration has sent a letter, the applicant must have the following:
  • Nomination in an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
  • A suitable skills assessment for that occupation
  • An age not more than 50 years old
  • The necessary score specified in the letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test
  • Competent English
  • Health and Character requirements
Points are awarded on the following criteria:
  • Age
  • English language ability
  • Skilled employment
  • Qualifications
  • Australian study requirement
  • Other factors (like credentialed community language qualifications)
One of the requirements is an English language proficiency certification. The Australian immigration requires the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination. Applicants need to take the General Training module of the IELTS test. Ten (10) points is awarded to those individuals who gets a score of 7.0 in all four components of the test: speaking, reading, listening and writing. For those who score an 8.0 in the four sections, 20 points will be given to them. The Academic module is required unless the assessing authority requires it.

What applicants for this visa need to do is to get an invitation letter first before processing their requirements. For more information on Australia visa 189, refer to http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/pages/189.aspx.

What is H1B Visa? What are the Typical Interview Questions?

Thinking of finding a greener pasture in the United States of America? Then, you have to understand first that this country requires a visa to any non-residents visiting their country.

Filipinos have this American dream – to work and live in the US. This dream has greatly influenced with what Filipinos have been watching in TV and in the movies. America is a place where dreams turn reality, where they can find better opportunities for their career and families. Hence, Filipinos apply for work in the US. However, it is best to understand that a visa is needed and one of the visas applied for by many Filipinos is the H1B visa. 

image source: Wikipedia.org
 
The US H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that gives US companies the opportunity to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields like in engineering and science. Once hired, foreign workers can work for up to six years in the US.

This type of visa is subjected to annual numerical limits. Meaning to say, there are only a specific number of applicants that are allowed to apply yearly. The US H1B visa is for specialty positions. Hence, applicants must meet one of the following criteria to qualify.

· Completed a US bachelor’s degree or higher degree required by the specific specialty occupation from an accredited college or university

· Hold a foreign degree that is equivalent to a US bachelor’s or higher degree in the specialty occupation

· Hold a license that allows the bearer to fully practice the specialty occupation

· Have the education, training or experience the specialty needs

An interview is done in the process of the application. Here are some questions usually asked in the interview:

· What is the purpose of your trip to the US?

· Why do you want to work in the United States?

· Do you plan to travel while you are living in the US?

· What company will you work for in the US?

· How did you find out about your H-1B sponsor employer?

· What do you expect to do in your new job?

· Who will be your supervisor at your sponsoring employer?

· What kind of projects does your employer works on?

· Do you have any employer documents?

· Do you have plans to come back to your home country?

English proficiency scores such as the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination is usually not required in applying for the visa. IELTS is required by the employers. Applicants must know information on what specific scores they need to have from their employers.

If you wish to apply for this visa, prepare all the necessary documents beforehand. The application may take a lot of time, money, and patience. All the applicants need is to be patient in processing their visa.

Let's Talk UK - Nurses for UK Seminar

To all our nurses friend out there who are planning to work in the UK but do not know what to do, might take part of the Let's Talk UK, a free immigration seminar on September 19, 2015. It will be held in Makati, Manila, Cebu, and Baguio (particularly in JROOZ Review Center branches). Expert tips on application and employment requirements will be discussed. Moreover, a free orientation on IELTS UKVI by the British Council and Jrooz will also be given.  For more information, please see the flyer below or visit http://www.jroozreview.com/jrooz-ielts-ukvi-free-opportunity-orientation-september-19-2015/.






Steps of the ECFVG Certification Program



Health care professionals are totally in demand overseas. Other than physical therapists and nurses, veterinarians are also needed in the United States. Like any other Filipino medical professionals wishing to practice their profession in the US, Filipino veterinarians have to acquire a certification before they can practice their profession. Thus, the ECFVG or the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates certification program has been initiated. 


For Filipino vets, here are the steps in the ECFVG certification program:

STEP 1
Applicants have to complete an application form online and submit a payment of $ 1000. Payments can be made by credit card. Applicants must also submit the following requirements within a week to the ECFVG office:
·         A complete and notarized ECFVG confirmation page
·         2 passport-sized photos of the applicant
·         English translated diploma and transcripts of the applicant (certified, notarized, photocopied or official documents are accepted)
·         A $25 processing fee will be charged if applicants request to return their original or official diplomas and transcripts.
All documents must be sent to ECFVG, American Veterinary Medical Association, 1931 N Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360, USA.

STEP 2
Applicants have to provide their proof of English fluency. They should be able to understand and communicate in English to be accredited.  Filipino applicants can choose on the following examinations:

Applicants should get a score of at least 23 in the reading, 25 in the listening, 22 in speaking, and 22 in the writing. No minimum overall score requirement required. Original score reports should be addressed to ECFVG.

An overall band score of 6.5 in the Academic module is needed with a minimum score of 6.5 in the listening, 6.0 in the writing, 7.0 in the speaking and no score requirement for the reading.




STEP 3
Applicants must now get a passing score on the computer-based examination. This examination is a multiple-choice type of test covering basic and clinical veterinary sciences knowledge.

STEP 4
Finally, candidates must attain a passing score on all sections of the Clinical Proficiency Examination. This exam will be administered by a faculty of a college of veterinary medicine or other authorized testing institution. Candidates are awarded their certificate when all four steps are completed.

Filipino vets should prioritize to get a good score in their English fluency examination. There are a lot of review centers for both TOEFL and IELTS. Choose which test would be easier for a more convenient review. For more information regarding the ECFVG program, visit https://ecfvg.avma.org.

List of Requirements for Filipino Nurses Who Are Planning to Work in the UK

Finding a job here in the Philippines is both difficult and time consuming. With a lot of people looking for jobs and the rate of unemployment continuously increasing, Filipinos find ways in seeking better opportunities in different countries overseas. Professionals from the Internet Technology and Medical Care are just two examples of in demand jobs overseas.

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It has been on the news recently that the United Kingdom and Ireland healthcare facilities and hospitals are in need of nurses. The demand is estimated to about 700 nurses according to the news. This is a great opportunity for Filipino nurses to get a job where they can work to earn money and explore the beautiful country of the UK.

However, taking this job opportunity is not that easy. There are a number of requirements that must be completed upon application. Here are the requirements:

· Registration with the United Kingdom’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

· Completion of the IELTS UKVI or the International English Language Testing System exam for the United Kingdom Immigration and Visas. The candidate should get an overall band score of 7.0 in the Academic Module.

· Passing a two-part competency examination composed of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) to be taken in the Philippines and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to be done in the UK.

· Applicants for Ireland need an IELTS UKVI score of 6.5.

Applicants who pass CBT are qualified for the OSCE. The applicants will be granted a visit visa that is to expire within six months. If in any case the applicant fails OSCE, he or she can retake it twice. If the candidate still fails to do so, he or she would have to go back to the Philippines before the six-month visa expires. Passers of OSCE are automatically registered nurses with the NMC.

The applicant, however, has to go back to the Philippines and apply for a Tier 2 visa sponsored by a UK employer. Before leaving the Philippines for the UK, the applicant should have an exit clearance with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

For Filipino nurses, it is best to start preparing for the application by understanding the English language requirement – the IELTS UKVI test.

The IELTS UKVI test measures the individual’s the ability to understand and use English in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Some Filipinos overlook the exam to be a simple English comprehension test. However, it is recommended for Filipino nurses to take the exam seriously and take necessary steps in preparing for the test. Here is how one can prepare for the IELTS UKVI test:

· Read English resource materials to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary.

· Watch English movies and listen to English songs. It is best to surround oneself with English to get used to with the language.

· Review on grammar. Most candidates have difficulty expressing themselves in English in the speaking and writing tests. Take grammar lessons and speaking classes to improve skills.

· Find an IELTS UKVI review center to help you prepare for the test. IELTS coaches give feedback and make sure the candidate is test-ready before the exam.

· Practice makes perfect. Always use the English language. Be confident in using it every day.

The opportunity for Filipino nurses to work in UK is a chance they should not miss. Start working on those requirements and take the IELTS.

What Kind of Visa Should I Get If I Want to Study in United Kingdom?

There are quite a number of students from different countries who are interested in studying in the United Kingdom. The chance of getting education of prestigious universities overseas excited these individuals, not to mention the opportunity to live and experience the rich culture in the UK. For many Filipinos, being able to find a good university in the UK is a dream come true. Hence, the number of people applying for a student visa in the UK has seen to increase in the past years. What kind of visa must Filipinos or any non-British nationals have to get in studying in the UK?


 
The United Kingdom has different visas for students who want to study in their country. Here are the following:

TIER 4 (General) Student Visa

Applicants for this visa must have the following qualifications:

· Ages 16 and up

· Have an offer of a slot in any course program

· Have the ability to understand and use the English language

· Have good financial records to ensure that he or she has enough money to support himself or herself and pay tuition

Applying for the visa should be at least 3 months before the start of the academic year. Waiting for the visa approval may take about three weeks. Applying for the said visa costs about £322 if the application has been made outside the UK, that is about PHP23,000. The visa allows the bearer to study, work as a student union sabbatical officer, and even work depending on the level of your course. What the bearer cannot do is to get public funds and work as a professional sportsperson.

TIER 4 (Child) Student Visa

Applicants for this visa must have the following qualifications:

· Between the ages of 4 and 16

· Have an offer for a course or any academic program

· Have a consent from parents or guardians

· Have good financial expenses to cover school fees and living costs

The length of the course and age of the applicant determine how long the applicant can stay. Applicants under 16 years old can have a course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterwards while children ages 16 and 17 can have a course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterwards. For children 16 years and above, they can work part-time during the term or full-time on vacation. However, they are not allowed to study in a publicly-funded school, be self-employed or even settle in the UK with this visa.

For Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, it is important for applicants that they take an English proficiency examination. The IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination for UKVI is needed as a major application. An applicant applying for an institution that is studying at a higher education institution a level of CEFR (Common European Framework for languages) level B2 is required. A CEFR level B1 is for applications for any institutions.

Preparing the necessary documents for the student visa application is equally important to having prepared for the IELTS for UKVI. For more information on these visas, you may check them at www.gov.uk. It is important for any person applying for a student visa to the UK to know the facts and necessary requirements prior to their application.

Filipino Nurses in Need in UK and Ireland - Good Reasons to Prepare for the IELTS UKVI

According to the Manila Bulletin, 700 Filipino nurses are needed for UK and Ireland. Interested applicants are required to pass the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System as well as qualifying exams for nurses to work in the UK and Ireland. Here are few of the requirements:

  1. Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration
  2. IELTS Score of 7
  3. Two-part competency examination composed of:
  • Computer-Based Test (CBT) - can be taken in the Philippines
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - must be taken in UK
For more information about IELTS UKVI (IELTS test that is needed by the UK immigration government), please visit http://www.jroozreview.com/ielts-ukvi-review-center/.


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Australian 457 Visa Now Accepts TOEFL-iBT as English Proficiency Requirement Aside From IELTS

According to news posted at Australian Forum, application for the 457 visa in Australia now accepts TOEFL-iBT as an English proficiency test for foreign applicants. 

ETS Australasia Associate Director Helen Cook said that adding TOEFL as one the English proficiency tests for 457 visa will allow businesses in Australia to remain globally competitive. Cook added that it can also improve productivity and economic growth.


What is a 187 Visa?

Australia is a very promising country not only for tourists but also for people looking for a better job. There are a lot of great opportunities that await foreign nationals in Australia, and this is something Filipinos will surely not miss. Life in the Philippines is good; however, with the number of competition to quite limited job vacancies, people are further encouraged to take their chances in applying for work overseas. Australia has been a good country to look for work as there are a good number of jobs to be filled and it is quite nearer compared finding work in the United States. The best of all is that Australia is an English speaking country; thus, Filipinos will not have a hard time adjusting when it comes to communicating with other people.


 
One visa type that is commonly applied for by non-Australia citizens is the 187 visa, also known as Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa. What does this particular visa cover?

Subclass 187 visa allows any employers in regional or areas in Australia which as low population to sponsor employees who are foreign nationals, like Filipinos, for a permanent visa to work in regional Australia. Employees can either be a highly skilled worker or a skilled temporary resident who is currently in Australia.

There are three steps in processing this visa type. First, the applicant should get an approval to the Regional Certification Board (RCB). Next, the applicant should get a nomination from a legitimate and approved Australian employer. Finally, the applicant should lodge a subclass 187 visa application.

This visa type has three streams:

a. Temporary Residence Transition stream – for 457 visa holder who have worked for two years working in the same occupation. The nominating employer is the one offering them a permanent position in the same occupation.

b. Direct Entry Stream
– for applicants who have not worked under a 457 visa with their nominating employer for two years but are formally qualified with their occupation and have enough experience to meet the requirements of the said visa. A positive skills assessment may be needed.

c. Agreement stream – for applicants sponsored by an employer through a labor agreement.

For those applicants who do not have an employer who will nominate them, they can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. There are a good number of employers and state and territory governments who can browse and choose whether to nominate a particular applicant for skilled migration.

Who can apply for a subclass 187 visa?
  • A nomination by an approved Australian employer operating a business in regional Australia.
  • The nomination was approved less than six months before applying a visa.
  • Any applicant not more than 50 years old
  • Applicants who already have the required skilled and qualifications before lodging the application.
  • Applicants with the appropriate English language skills for Temporary Residence Transition stream or Direct Entry stream
  • Applicants who have met the health and character requirements
These are the necessary documents needed for this visa:
  • Passport
  • 2 passport size photos
  • Marriage certificate or divorce certificate, if possible
  • Birth certificate
  • Evidence of financial dependency for applicants below 18 years old.

Direct Entry stream:
  • Detailed curriculum vitae/resume
  • Transcript of records
  • Work reference letters
  • Skill assessment result
  • IELTS or the International English Language Testing System exam with a score no lower than 6.0 in each band
Temporary Residence Transition stream:
  • A subclass 457 visa holder
  • IELTS result of no lower than 5.0 in each band
  • Certificate of employment of the last two years

Processing of applications takes more than six months; hence, it is best to complete all the necessary requirements most especially the IELTS test. For more information, visit http://www.immi.gov.au/.

Requirements in Taking NCLEX in the US

Being successful in one's profession takes a lot of time and effort. Working professionals always seek for a high-paying job in prestigious companies that can compensate them very well. In the Philippines, one profession that is in high demand in different countries overseas is the nursing profession. Hundreds of hospitals and healthcare industries abroad are looking for nurses that can work for them. This demand is a great opportunity for nurses especially those who want to work in the United States of America and Canada. However, Filipino nurses have to be reminded that they need to take a licensure exam that will let them practice their profession in the said countries.
Aspiring nurses who want to work in the US and Canada have to take the NCLEX or the National Council Licensure Examination. This examination aims to determine the eligibility of an individual to begin practice as an entry-level nurse. There are four major categories and eight subcategories in the examination where all questions are of nursing content. Registering for the NCLEX can be done online and via telephone.

How to Register for the NCLEX:

1. Applicants have to submit an application for licensure/registration to the board of nursing (BON) or regulatory body (RB) to the state where they want to be licensed. They have to complete all the requirements of BONs or RBs before the application deadline.

2. Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE. www.pearsonvue.com/nclex. The said registration costs $200 and there are additional fees for those applicants taking the NCLEX outside the US.

Internet registration is possible as applicants have to pay using a credit, debit or prepaid card. A VISA, MasterCard or American Express is only accepted. When an NCLEX registration is created, it stays available for a year or 365 days. In any case that the candidate is not made eligible or denied by the board of nursing or regulatory board, the registration and exam fee are forfeited. Hence, the applicant has to re-register and pay for another exam fee.

Most of the time, credentialing is needed for nurses to be qualified to take the NCLEX. They need CGFNS or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools. Credential evaluation is required when a company or a healthcare institution has to check at the applicant’s nursing school records and education history, most especially those who graduated from countries outside the US or Canada. Requirements include:
  • English proficiency requirement (taking the TOEFL or the Test of English as a Foreign Language)
  • High School or Secondary School Documents
  • Licensure Documents here in the Philippines
  • Nursing Education Documents in the Philippines
  • and a fee of $350

The "unofficial" result of the exam is already available after 48 hours provided that the board of nursing participates in the Quick Results Service which costs $7.95. For those who want to get their official results, it is only available through the board of nursing or regulatory board and will be sent through the applicant’s address after six weeks from the date of the exam. For those who are not lucky enough to pass the exam, an NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR) will be sent showing the examinee’s performance in the areas of the exam.

For more information on the NCLEX-RN, visit this website https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm.