UK seeks migrants with new special visa

Paging “exceptionally talented” Filipinos in the fields of science, the arts, engineering, the humanities and social sciences.

The United Kingdom has launched an “Exceptional Talent” migration program to encourage “the brightest and the best” in those areas of knowledge from around the world to come live and work in the UK.

The UK, also known as Britain, groups England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In a statement, the British Embassy in Taguig City said Saturday “this new (migration) route for up to 1,000 exceptionally talented migrants will facilitate not only those who have already been recognized, but also those with the potential to be recognized as leaders in their respective fields.”

The program “will be overseen by world-renowned competent bodies that will advise the UK Border Agency on these exceptionally talented migrants to ensure that they are the brightest and the best in their fields.”

These bodies are:

The Royal Society, a fellowship of the world’s most eminent scientists, which may nominate up to 300 applicants;

Arts Council England, the UK’s development agency for the arts, which could also nominate up to 300 migrants;

Royal  Academy of Engineering, Britain’s national academy for engineering, which may fill up to 200 slots; and

The British Academy, the famed UK institution for the humanities and social sciences, which may nominate up to 200 migrants.

In the first year, at least 500 slots would be available between August 9 and November 30, and another 500 slots from December 1 to March 31, 2011, Lyn Ayers-Plata, UK embassy press and events officer, told the Inquirer.

Ayers-Plata said “the number of places will be evaluated at the end of the first year to determine whether or not the number of places will be revised the following year.”

“There are no immigration quotas per country,” she added.

“The decision for endorsement is up to the competent bodies who will vouch to the UK Border Agency that in its opinion the migrant is exceptionally talented,” she said.

Some 250,000 Filipinos are currently based in the UK, according to the British Embassy.

The mission, however, did not say how many of them held immigrant or work visas.

For more information about the special visa program, parties can check out the website https://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/.