UK Tourist Visa Application

Are you planning on visiting Big Ben? The famous Trafalgar Square or you just want to sing London Bridge Is Falling Down at the London bridge? Whatever your reason is, first, you need to secure your visa.

I am just a student, living alone in the Philippines whilst my family lives abroad. The processing itself is easy, however, they are very strict with the requirements.

VFS Global is the official application centre of the UK. It means that anywhere in the world, the company that handles our applications is VFS. In the Philippines, they are located at VFS Manila Visa Application Centre, Mezzanine Floor, Unit M01 Ecoplaza Building 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extension Makati City 1231 Manila.

If you do not know how to get there, take the taxi, however, you can also take the MRT and go down at Magallanes. From there, there will be jeepneys going in the extension of Pasong Tamo, ride it and alight at the Ecoplaza Building. The fare is 7.50Php (as of 12/02/2015).

Your first step would be completing the application form found in their website. It will cost you US$135 that’s why you need someone who has credit card to prepare it for you. Please do make reading a habit. Before I applied, I read lots of blog posts regarding their application.

You have to be honest with your answers because it might be one of the reason that you’ll get refused. If you have realized, after you printed your form, that there was a mistake, make a letter stating the mistake, the true answer and the reason why did you come up with the wrong answer. The policy is to be honest. I got rejected during my first application because I lack documents for support.

After paying online, you’ll receive your receipt and the next instructions on what to do on your e-mail. The letter contains your application confirmation and the appointment date and location.

There is also a choice of applying for their VIP lounge which costs 2,500Php. There will only be queue for those who applied for the VIP lounge (of course, expect lesser and most likely businessmen are there), there are spacious leather couches, free snack, free photocopying (in case you have only brought the original documents), free passport-sized photo, and you get to have the SMS and e-mail alerts for free!

I suggest that you get your visa during off-peak hours because the queue is really quick.

You need to be at the application centre 15 minutes before your appointment. TAKE NOTE: Do not go earlier than 15 minutes because you’ll have to wait outside and there’s not much to see or place to stay within the Ecoplaza building while waiting.

The guards will ask for your appointment time and they’ll check your bag. It is advisable that you only go with your folder containing your documents otherwise, if you have bags, you’ll have to leave them at the counter for a fee of 100Php.

You are also not allowed to use your phone or any other gadget inside. After securing your bag, go to the counter and a staff will check your application form. Print it in two copies just in case. She’ll give you a number and a checklist of your documents. Then proceed to the door where there is a scanner. Here, after the guards have checked you, you’ll need to go inside another room where the processing of application is. (You go right if you applied for the VIP lounge, otherwise, wait in that room ’till your number is called.

Together with your application form, bring other documents like a sponsor’s letter in case you will be sponsored by someone else (I did not have this during my first attempt, that’s why I got rejected). Also, if you are a student like me, print your certificate of registration, schedule, photocopied school ID, school calendars, and anything that would support your claim that you are a student. Check the guidelines for the passport photos as well because it’s very strict.

Before anything else, fill-up the form that the staff outside have given you. Then wait for your number to be called. It is best when you have arranged your documents according to the checklist so the staff waiting to collect it will just get your documents. He’ll then issue you the receipt and will tell you to wait for your name to be called for the biometrics. This will only take less than five minutes afterwhich, cross your fingers and pray for the approval!

It is not possible to attach more documents once they sealed your package. So, bring everything at once.

Good luck on your trip to the United Kingdom!

Ciao,

Capricious Fate

My PwC Internship Application

I am currently taking up Internal Auditing at Far Eastern University. One of our second semester requirement as seniors is the 450-hour student apprenticeship program where we will be exposed to our fields.

The advice was to look for a company during the first semester, however, I panicked and it came to a point that I have not yet tried finding one. In a span of less than 2 weeks, I don’t know where to go. I don’t know where to apply.

One of my colleague, who is now a Certified Public Accountant, encourages me to apply at Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Since I look up at him so much, I took his advice.

They only accept resumes that are sent to them online. So I did send them mine (hrd@ph.pwc.com).

It was Friday when I sent my e-mail to them. This was the only chance I got. Monday, I was so worried because I have not received any e-mail or message or call from PwC. Tuesday, I am already losing hope because usually, it will only take 2-3 business days.

I became so paranoid that I stopped doing something productive and I just took a lot of sleep to cover my nervousness.

Next thing I knew, I received a message from Ms. Cheska saying I was qualified for the written and oral interview on Thursday at 10 AM.

Usually, since I am a member of an organization, I don’t settle for just being qualified for the exam and interview because many still fail and does not make it inside even though they passed the exam.

I don’t know what to expect in the exam. If that would be accounting-related then I’m doomed because I was not prepared (ironic because I’m studying it.)

Came Thursday, I woke up really early and offered a little prayer at the Church then took my breakfast at Mcdonalds at 7 AM. Afterwhich, I found myself strolling along Ayala Triangle at 9 AM. I still have to wait for an hour. As I can recall, my hands were perspiring. This is the real deal. This is my future.

Time came and I went inside the Philamlife tower. This was my first time seeing the office of PwC.

The lady in the reception area asked us to log and wait. So, there’s still a waiting game. There were, I think, more than ten of us who will take the exam but only two of us were interns and I only knew she’s also from FEU after the exam.

We were called inside the testing area, it was beside the learning room which is kind of a hallway, so if there are employees who’ll walk pass you, don’t worry, they also went through that situation.

The exam consisted of multiple choices and essays. I cannot elaborate any further. Take it yourself. I can’t also say that it was easy because I was even unsure of my answers.

After the exam, we waited again for our names to be called for the interview. It took about 30 minutes or so. We were seated infront of the elevator and I got so dizzy with so many people going in and out.

Then, a pretty lady came out calling my name. Alright, panic mode, I was going in first. She took me to the 25^th floor because that’s where the Human Capital office is. The interview went smooth even though I was shaking.

I think it took us 15-20 minutes to finish the guide questions she have.

Then she said the result will take up to 2-3 working days. Ms. Cheska, my coordinator, will just message or call me if I passed.

According to some blog I have read, the moment they were finish on the interview, they were already told that they got accepted. Same goes with my colleague. I was so disappointed with myself afterwards. Maybe that’s how they reject. They’ll tell you they will call you.

Then, I cannot sleep properly.

Friday morning, I still did not receive any message so I decided to pass my resume to another company because I somehow gave up.

I came back home at 4 PM and rewarded myself with a good nap. At exactly 7 PM, my ringing phone woke me up. At this state, I was the most sabaw human being ever.

The first greetings were very vague until I heard PwC! My blood came rushing through. My heart was pumping really hard.

That was Ms. Cheska who called me asking if I could already start on November 4, 2015. Well, my enrolment was so complicated back then that I told her were not supposed to start before the 23^rd. However, she asked me if I want to even though my hours won’t be credited.

I don’t want the opportunity to slip away so I excitedly told her, yes!

I jumped and jumped and silently shout to my extent because I feel so privileged to be part of the firm.

That’s my PwC application journey. Most of the times, something’s worth the wait, time, and effort. 🙂

Ciao,

Capricious Fate