Effective January 1, 2008, United Kingdom (UK) will start implementing its new immigration policies for all foreign workers. Edgardo Espiritu, Philippine Ambassador to London, announced this information. One of the proposed changes presented to the UK Parliament last March is that all visa applicants in UK will now be required to have a sponsor.

Under the new system, applicants for a UK visa will be classified into five levels and will be subject to a points-based system. This new rule will cover all foreign workers except the highly skilled. –OFWGuide

Illegal staying Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates have only 90 days beginning June 4 to regularize their papers or leave the country. Those caught after the 90 day ammensty  faces the possibility jail and heavy penalties.

In the past years, thousands of Filipinos have flocked to the UAE, specifically to Dubai using tourist visas. Report reaching OFW Guide indicates many Filipinos are being exploited by the situation.

OFW Abroad advices you to only go to the UAE if you have a valid working visa and job offer.

The negotiations of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and President Giorgio Napolitano bring good news for all OFWs in Italy.

PGMA said, “I have ordered the DFA to lower passport renewal rates from the present 65 Euros to only 50 Euros, and the reduction of fees for affidavits and notarization from 32 Euros to only 25 Euros.”

PGMA also announced that Filipinos with a driver’s license would automatically obtain an Italian diver’s license. The Philippine government would continue to seek better pay and other benefits for Filipinos working abroad.

The fourth quarter copy of the Filipino Image Magazine is now out in PDF format. You can read the whole 112 pages magazine by following this link.

The fire that destroyed the MARINA’s office last May 27 will affect all seamen from getting their Seaman’s Book.

Around 10,000 Seaman’s Book were burned in the fire. These represents two to three months supply of the Seaman’s Book.

MARINA has already requested the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas for additional 6,000 blank copies of the Seaman’s Book.