<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Agency "Face 2 Face"]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pages]]></description><link>http://www.agencyf2f.com/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright The Agency "Face 2 Face"]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Registering in the UK]]></title><description><![CDATA[  1. Do I have the right to live in the United Kingdom (UK)?  
  
European Community law gives you the right to live in the UK if you are working in the UK or you have enough money to support yourself without help from public funds.
    
  2. Do I need to register on the Worker Registration Scheme?  
  
Since 1 May 2004, most nationals of the new Member States (except Cyprus and Malta) working in the UK, are required to register under the Worker Registration Scheme within the one month period beginning on the date on which they began working.
  
Once you have been working in the UK as a registered worker for 12 months without a break the requirement to register under the scheme ceases. You may subsequently apply for an EEA registration certificate confirming your status, although this is a voluntary and is not necessary to work and reside in the United Kingdom lawfully.
  
Nationals of Malta and Cyprus working in the UK do not need to register under the terms of the Worker Registration scheme and do not need documentation from the Home Office in order to work and reside in the United Kingdom.
  
You will need to register with the Home Office if:  
• you are a national of one of the new Member States (apart from Malta and Cyprus) subject to the Worker Registration Scheme;
  
• you started a new job on or after 1 May 2004; or you have been working in the UK before 1 May 2004 without permission    
  3. Why do I need to register?  
  
It is a requirement of UK law that you register within one month of starting work. If you continue to work beyond that date without registering your employment, you would not be recognised as "a qualified person" for the purposes of the EEA Regulations 2006". It is in your interest to register as soon as you start a job but certainly within one month of the start date. Once you have registered and have worked uninterruptedly for 12 months then you are able to apply for an EU registration certificate. This is sometimes called the "Qualifying Period". If you do not register you could affect or delay your application for European Union residency. 
    
The United Kingdom has opened up its labour market completely, registration allows us to monitor where new member state nationals are entering the labour market initially, the type of work they are undertaking and the impact of this on the wider economy.
    
  4. When should I register?  
  
You should apply to register with the Worker Registration Scheme as soon as you start a new job. If you do not apply within one month of starting a job, your employment will be illegal after that date and will not count towards your qualifying period for a registration certificate.
    
  5. If I hold a Latvian Non-Citizen (Alien) passport, do I need to register on the Worker Registration Scheme?  
  
No, you do not qualify to register on the Worker Registration Scheme. Holders of a Latvian "Alien" passport are not Latvian citizens. They are stateless ex-Russian nationals who do not hold full Latvian citizenship status and are not therefore citizens of the EEA. You are not therefore eligible to apply for registration on the WRS but must seek entry to work in the UK under the Immigration rules.
    
  6. Are there any circumstances where I would not need to register?  
  
You will not be subject to the worker registration and therefore do not need to register if one or more of the following applies:  
•	you are self-employed (and not undertaking any paid employment); 
  
•	you have been working legally in the UK for 12 months or more in the job you held on 1 May 2004; 
  
•	you have been working legally in the UK and you stay in the same job after 1 May 2004; 
  
•	you are providing services in the UK on behalf of an employer who is not established in the UK; 
  
•	you are a citizen of the UK, another EEA State (other than one of the 8 new Member States) or Switzerland; 
  
•	you are the family member (spouse, civil partner or child under the age of 21 or dependant) of a Swiss or EEA national (other than one of the 8 new Member States) who is working in the UK; 
  
•	you are the family member (spouse, civil partner or dependant child) of a Swiss or EEA national who is living in the UK as a student, or a retired or self-sufficient person.
    
If you are no longer subject to the requirement to register you are able to obtain a document confirming your status as an EEA national exercising a treaty right, This document is called a registration certificate. If you are the family member of an EEA national you can obtain a residence card confirming this.
    
]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:28:05 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/registering-in-the-uk/</link><guid>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/registering-in-the-uk/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Information on Working in the UK]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Before you leave  
     
At The Agency “Face2Face” we will attempt to find you a position in the UK before you even leave home, along with our support and commitment this is just one of the things you can rely on with The Agency “Face2Face”.
     
Regardless of your qualifications and experience you may very well find the transition to the UK working system very confusing. At The Agency “Face2Face”, together with our clients, we will endeavour to make this as straightforward and hassle free as possible. 
     
Once your application forms have been received we will contact you and a time will be scheduled for your interview. During the registration and interview process we will confirm short-term, long-term or supply positions and if you require we can book temporary accommodation in the UK for your arrival - and this is even before you`ve left home. Where it is possible we will always try to work around your travel plans.
    
Registering with The Agency “Face2Face” is free - we know that making the big move overseas can be expensive with travel costs, passports, visas, insurance, flights etc. that`s why this service is free to you.
    
  Living in the UK (General Overview)  
     
  Accommodation   
     
One of the major considerations you will have when you are thinking of a career move is accommodation. he Agency "Face2Face"  clients in the UK are more than happy to be able to assist you with what can be a daunting task. To ensure you are making a well informed decision, we will provide you with advice and information from a wide variety of sources.
     
  Commuting   
     
Travelling to work on public transport can be stressful until you become familiar with train and bus routes. With each assignment, your consultant will inform you of the best possible travel routes. You will find that the most cost effective way to utilise the public transport system is to buy a weekly or monthly "travelcard" for your most used travel zones. We also recommend you purchase an A-Z directory for your local area.
     
   
  Bank Accounts  
     
It is important that you open a bank account as soon as possible after arriving in the UK so that you can receive your pay quickly and with no hassle. The Agency "Face2Face’s" local clients can make this an easy process for you, they will provide you with a letter of introduction to a major UK bank who have agreed to open accounts for our registered locums should they require the service.
     
Our Clients company policy is to pay you directly into your bank account. To do this they will need the following information:
     
1.	Bank account number   
2.	Bank sort code   
3.	Your bank reference number (if applicable)   
4.	Your account name   
5.	Your bank name and branch   
     
If for any reason there is a delay in opening a bank account then we can arrange for you to receive a cheque for the first weeks you work for The Agency "Face2Face" Clients.
       
 
  Travel to the UK  
     
  Facts for the traveller  
     
  Booking your flight  
     
Tips: It will be cheaper to fly to the UK in off-peak times such as November through February - check any special offers with your Travel Agent. You may like to also explore the option of Charter Flights and Travel Packages.
     
Travel Insurance is an absolute necessity and it`s a good idea to shop around to make sure you get the best possible deal for your individual needs. Check with your Travel Agent for some recommendations. If you are paying for your flight via your credit card you may automatically receive a minimal level of insurance, confirm your eligibility with your credit card carrier.
     
Now that you`ve booked your flight, its time to work out what to pack. Click here for the The Agency "Face2Face" Travel Checklist that you may like to use as a guide.
       
 
  Weather  
     
When spending an extended period of time in the UK you will more than likely become obsessed with the weather. In relative terms generally the climate is quite mild and the rainfall isn`t spectacular. When visiting remember that the worst months are from November to February - it tends to be very cold and the days are short. March through October have more daylight however its still quite cold. The best months to visit and travel are April to September. July and August are the busiest months and if possible should be avoided if you don`t like crowds.
       
 
  Budget advice  
     
The UK can eat quite a big whole in your pocket and you may blow your budget sooner than you expected if you don`t watch your pennies. Set yourself a daily budget for bare survival items ie; accommodation, travelcards, food and entertainment. Be warned that even the most moderate of sightseeing or nightlife can easily blow your budget even for the biggest penny pinchers. Once you get out of the city into the more remote areas the costs will drop especially if you have travel passes and cook for yourself where possible.
     
When eating in an English restaurant if you intend on tipping you should tip at least 10% of the bill. Hospitality staff are often paid derisory wages on the assumption that the money will be supplemented by tips. You will find that some restaurants will include a service charge on the bill, in which case a tip is not required.
     
Be advised that taxi drivers EXPECT to be tipped about 10%, especially in London. Most locals will tip if the taxi driver is pleasant and has a chat with you - if they don`t then don`t bother to tip. An easy way to get out of it is to round the fare up to the next 50p.
     
Traveller`s cheques are widely accepted in UK banks and it may be easier for you to purchase them in pounds to avoid changing currencies more than once. Change bureaus in London often charge outrageous commissions and fees so remember to budget for deductions in advance. However, the bureaus at the international airports tend to be exceptions to this rule and will often charge less than most banks and may even cash travellers cheques made out in pounds for free. ATM`s or Cashpoints are very common in the UK and most are linked to major credit cards and cash networks such as Cirrus, Maestro and Plus. Be warned that if a machine swallows your card the majority of banks will insist on cutting it up and returning it to your home bank - which isn`t very helpful when its on the other side of the world.
       
 
  Airports      
 
When you arrive in the UK you will more than likely arrive at one of the 2 largest international airports in London: Heathrow and Gatwick.
     
Heathrow is about 15 miles west of the city. One of the quickest ways of getting into Central London is on the tube, it takes about 40-50 minutes on the Piccadilly line. For those not watching their budgets as much Heathrow offer the Heathrow Express train straight into Paddington station, it takes about 15 minutes. If you have a lot of luggage you`d be better off taking an Airbus into the city. The Airbus` run approximately every 15-20 minutes and takes between 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. A taxi ride into Central London will cost the most. Choose your transportation method and follow the signs from the airport to either the Underground, Bus stop or taxi point.
     
Be warned that Terminal 4 is a fair distance from Terminals 1-3 - make sure you know the terminal for your flight whether you`re arriving into or leaving from Heathrow.
     
Don`t forget that if you`ve arranged your work and accommodation arrangements through The Agency "Face2Face" Clients that they can also meet you at the airport and escort you to your initial accommodation - all free of charge. 
       
 
Gatwick is almost 30 miles south of the city. The Gatwick Express runs a train service between the airport and Victoria station, central London, 24 hours a day. This service operates every 15 minutes from 5.30am to 8pm and then every 30-60 minutes during other times. The journey takes about 30 minutes. 
     
London also has three other major airports:
     
•	Luton Airport, 35 miles northwest of London   
•	Stanstead Airport, 38 miles northeast of London   
•	London City Airport, 6 miles from "the City" in the London financial district   
 
The Thameslink service operates between central London and Luton Airport Parkway station and the quickest journey takes about 27 minutes, a free shuttle bus runs between the airport and the station.
     
The Stansted express train service runs frequently between London, Liverpool Street station and the airport. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes.
       
 
  Major Regional International Airports:  
     
•	Birmingham International Airport, 9 miles from city centre   
•	Glasgow Airport, 8 miles from city centre   
•	Edinburgh Airport, 8 miles from city centre   
•	Manchester International Airport, 10 miles from city centre   
       
 
There are also many domestic airports throughout the UK and the following airlines providing domestic air services:    
 
•	British Airways   
•	British Midland   
•	Airway   
•	Air UK   
•	Aer Lingus   ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:35:25 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/information-on-working-in-the-uk/</link><guid>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/information-on-working-in-the-uk/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Clients Trust]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our Clients trust The Agency “Face2Face” to find the best professionals not just in the UK but from all over the world.
    
Each year an increasing number of professionals take the plunge and make the decision to travel and work overseas for the chance of a lifetime.
    
The Agency “Face2Face” recruit qualified professionals who are ready to further their career while at the same time travelling the world. At the moment there is a significant shortage of health and social service professionals in the UK especially in the popular inner-city areas of London. What this means is that professionals from overseas are required to make up this shortage to ensure better staffed facilities with qualified professionals.
    
We find that some professionals choose to supplement their income, in order to do more travelling, by taking on supply/temporary positions. While others may like the security of long-term assignments confirmed prior to their arrival in the UK. 
    

Many of the world`s most popular holiday destinations throughout Europe and Africa are just a few short hours` flight from the UK, which means that this could be your chance to do some exciting travel whilst furthering your career development all while living in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe.
]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:06:11 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/clients-trust/</link><guid>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/clients-trust/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[UK Employment]]></title><description><![CDATA[          
  *             Clients` Trust  
  
  *             Information on Working in the UK  
  
  *             Registering in the UK  ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:53:19 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/uk-employment/</link><guid>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/uk-employment/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Services]]></title><description><![CDATA[        
List of our services:    
·   Qualified Position Placement    
·   Resume    
·   Application preparation    
·   Applying from inside UK    
·   English Skills    
·   Interview package    
·   Visa and relocation assistance    ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:58:09 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/services/</link><guid>http://www.agencyf2f.com/en/services/</guid></item></channel></rss>