Top Countries to Work for Abroad: OFW Guide

Why do people work overseas? The answer is simple: there are better opportunities and salary packages overseas. There are good jobs found in the Philippines; however, some Filipinos are willing to sacrifice being with their families for a better future. Every year, the number of Filipinos flying to work overseas has been increasing. This only shows that Filipinos are very competitive in the world market and are in demand to these countries.

If you are planning to work overseas, it is important to know which country you want to work for. You can look for some jobs overseas online. To be sure, you can check if these companies are legitimate by contacting government offices to ensure not only your safety but also your hard-earned money. Also, you can ask around family and friends if there are any job opportunities they know about. Asking those experienced ones will help you narrow down your choices and choose a country that will match your qualifications and options. Below is a list of countries that most Filipinos work for overseas. 

1. Dubai  
   Dubai has been receiving a lot of Filipino migrant workers. Some work as domestic helpers, web developers, web designers, accountants, teachers, and nurses. A lot of professionals can easily find employers in Dubai. Also, some even expand their choices and work for nearby locations such as Abu Dhabi and Quatar. If you are someone who can speak English and understand the language, working for this county will not be a problem. Employers can speak English, so there is not much problem with communication.
   


2. Australia
   Known for kangaroos and koalas, Australia is one of the destinations of Filipinos. Some Filipinos apply for jobs in Australia as butchers. Working as a butcher is really a good paying job in Australia. Men and women who are interested in working as a butcher should have the necessary training and certification here in our country. Also, they have to present their IELTS certification. This means that they need to take an English proficiency examination – the International English Language Testing System – and get an overall band score of at least 6.0 in the General Training module. Other professions such as nurses are also required to take the IELTS. Their requirement is different from the butchers. For nurses, an overall band score of 7.0 with a score on each sub-test no lower than 7.0 in the Academic module is needed. 
   


3. The United Kingdom
   A place of rich culture and history – the United Kingdom has opened a great number of opportunities to every Filipino. Nurses and engineers are some professions that are in demand in the said country. Like Australia, the United Kingdom requires an IELTS score, but this time, it should be the IELTS UKVI exam. The IELTS UKVI exam is taken by individuals whose target is the UK. An overall band score of 7.0 with no score lower than 7.0 in each sub-test is a strict requirement. The only difference with the IELTS UKVI and the regular IELTS test is the amount of the registration fee candidates have to pay. 
   

These three countries have been employing a lot of Filipinos for the past year. If you are planning to apply overseas, it is important for you to know whether this country requires an English proficiency test so that you can get ready for it as early as possible.