A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advisory reminds overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking employment in the United Kingdom that the British Embassy does not issue au pair visas to Filipinos.

The Philippines is no longer included in the UK’s list of countries from where it allows the hiring of au pairs, or live-in nannies, babysitters or caretakers.

“The au pair visa scheme was abolished effective on November 26, 2008 and has been replaced by the Youth Mobility Scheme under the new UK Points-Based System,” the DFA said.

The DFA said Filipino online jobseekers should be vigilant against fake job offers and must check with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) for the authenticity of the job offer. They may also send their email request for verification to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) POLO London at polo.london@yahoo.co.uk.

Original copies of employment documents should also be submitted to the POLO for verification and authentication.

“They should be wary of attractive jobs offered by the employers or their agents who would ask applicants to remit a certain amount of money purportedly to pay for the processing of their visas or work permits and other travel-related expenses,” the DFA said.

Among the jobs in UK being offered to Filipino applicants include nannies, au pair, hotel staff, store managers, salespersons and engineers.

“The new UK Points-Based Immigration System has done away with the work permit requirement, and is now replaced by the certificate of sponsorship. To be able to issue a certificate of sponsorship in favor of a candidate or applicant, the prospective UK employer should be duly licensed as a sponsor by the UK Border Agency (UKBA),” the DFA said.