Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

Hi lads,

I need your help, I decided to achieve my dream to move into the kingdom. In my country a rehabilitation counselor with 3 years experience (ages 11-30), isn't worth too much in the UK unfortunately so I've started to look on the shortage list. I've found only 1 job that is close to my profession and that is care work. Now, I understand it's a general term and inside that there's few types of work. I wanted to get your help to understand what the options are, I understand at least in one of the jobs you need to wash and clean the elders after using the toilets, that's something I couldn't do but other than that I have no problem with any kind of work. I'm aiming for London only.
I'll be happy to get some info and tips, the visa process should be very short from what ove read due to the big shortage.

I prefer to work with the same ages I've worked before if possible, kids or young adults.

Thanks !

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

Care workers provide direct care to people who have difficulty caring for themselves. In most cases a component of that care will involve personal care, such as assistance with showering, washing and toileting. You can't pick and choose which care needs you will and won't meet.

If you find aspects of direct care work distasteful, then don't become a care worker - and please don't regard people who need a care worker simply as a handy visa opportunity.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

That is not my intention whatsoever. Like I’ve wrote, I work in the mental health sector for 3 years and I wish to find something similar In the UK. I have 2 citizenships,Can live and work in many countries, I don’t do it for a visa, I love the UK and I want to donate and be a part of it, and also love my job. Actually applying for a visa is the most hard way I can choose, not the easiest.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

What professional qualification do you hold to work in mental health ?
What education level do you have.
If you are now looking to obtain a work visa, the above are important.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

The problem you may experience, even if you find a route to achieve your outline plan, is that work in the "medical assistant" field is not highly paid, whereas London is an extremely expensive city to live in.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

yes I understand that, I don’t have any qualifications or education. Only 3 years of experience. That is why I can’t do the exact job I did in my country there, but hopefully in the same field.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

Yes, I know that. I come from one of the most expensive cities and countries in the world, with a low salary, so it’s shouldn’t be any big difference. I’ll save money from advanced.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

I presume you have been looking at the following visa:

https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa

You need to fulfill the necessary criteria:

Your job

You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa:

• you’re a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
• your job is eligible for this visa
• you’ll be working for a UK health and care sector employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
• you’ll be paid the minimum salary or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing - whichever is higher

If you have no qualifications or education, only in the field experience, I think you would struggle to get an employer sponsor.
You need a sponsor before applying for the visa. That is your first task.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

So far you have only shared that you are Portuguese and have two passports, and I'm fairly certain that neither Lisbon nor Portugal rank highly on the respective world's most expensive cities and countries lists.

If you want the widest range of brainstormed help and advice here on BE, full disclosure of your background, history, qualifications, and experience would help you give us what you are looking for. :nod:

That said, as already advised above, without qualifications, you may find that your plans are doomed to fail.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

Tom has shared some of his background and aspirations here
https://britishexpats.com/forum/immi...t-visa-947245/
and here
https://britishexpats.com/forum/us-i...lities-947292/

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

I did take a look back at these posts. Without formal qualifications (the OP says his is practical experience) and/or a certain level of education (OP says his is high school level) getting a work visa to the UK is tough; and it needs a sponsoring employer.

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

Thank you for alerting me to this information. :)

ETA. I remember the US visa thread now, so I'll consider my questions above, about background and citizenships to have been answered. :o

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

Re: Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
 

As you need a sponsoring employer have you seen jobs you can apply for?

YOU can't apply for the visa without a job from a prospective sponsoring employer.