UK Chef Jobs with Visa Sponsorship In 2025
Are you a talented chef from abroad dreaming of a culinary career in the UK? You’ve likely searched for UK chef jobs with visa sponsorship and found a complex, often confusing, landscape. We’re here to give you the most current, data-backed information for 2025 to help you understand your options and avoid common pitfalls. The rules have changed, and staying informed is your best recipe for success.
The Major Shift in UK Immigration Rules
The UK government has made a drastic change to the Skilled Worker visa by July 22, 2025. New sponsored jobs also have an increased skill level requirement of RQF Level 6 instead of RQF Level 3 and equivalent to a bachelor degree. This has presented a tangible and alarming occurrence to the hotel trade.
Some of the following occupations are chefs (SOC code 5434) and catering managers (SOC code 5436) which are now off the list of the qualified skilled occupations on which a new visa can be granted. As of a new overseas applicant, it could no longer obtain Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) in a standard chef postion.
Are There Any Exceptions for Chefs?
While the door for new applications is largely closed, there are very limited, temporary exceptions and alternative avenues to be aware of.
Transitional Provisions for Existing Visa Holders
In case you are already in UK on Skilled Worker visa as chef then you can still:
- Your existing job will allow you an extension of the visa.
- Change employers to a different sponsoring company so long as the job is under the same SOC code.
- These transitional arrangements are to avoid abrupt massive exodus by the skilled labour already serving the UK economy. Nonetheless, these are not unquantifiable forever and are liable to reviews in future.
Temporary Shortage List
A new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) has been created by the government on a small number of RQF Level 3-5 occupations still able to be sponsored. At mid-year 2025, jobs in the food and beverage industry are absent in this list. Next, the TSL will expire toward the end of 2026, which means that it is a temporary solution. An important consideration is that related to the sponsored visa holders, visa holders under the TSL may not invite dependants (family) to accompany him/her to UK.
High-Skill Job Positions having Visa Route
Even some of the high specialty/ senior positions in the culinary world, especially those that need high management skills or requires high level training may still be classified, as long as they can fall under a higher skill-level occupation code. This may be a head chef UK visa sponsorship to a large chain or a pastry chef jobs London visa sponsorship to a classy, upmarket kitchen with the position budgeted to reach RQF Level 6.
FAQs
Will I be eligible to obtain a visa as a chef in case I got a job offer prior to July 22, 2025?
Yes. In the event that your company had issued you with Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) prior to the deadline, then your application will be processed under the old rules, irrespective of the fact that you did after the changes were implemented.
What other visa programs exist to bring chefs in besides the Skilled Worker visa?
The bulk of chef positions cannot be carried out through most other work visa avenues. Some may have options to apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme or Global Talent visa but these have extremely limited and restrictive eligibility criteria.
Is the change only the minimum salary?
No, that is the level of skills which has the highest possible influence on chefs. Minimum salary rates have also been raised as new applicants should be paid at least PS41,700 a year or the going rate at which the job is being done, whichever is higher.
Will the UK government include chefs to the list of eligible one next time?
Granted, not impossible, but current policy change is one of the so-called big picture moves to reduce net migration and workforce orientation on high-skilled positions. Future alterations would mostly occur as a reaction to another report released by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)
What happens when I come across job posting that can take me on under visa sponsorship as a cook?
be careful. Find out that the employer will be able to issue a new CoS to the position in accordance with the new rules. The advertisement may be done long, or only applicable to the candidate on an already relevant visa.
Final Thoughts
The situation of the immigration of career chefs changed drastically in the UK. It is a lot narrower now but not necessarily closed to everyone. To the ones who are already in the country, the system provides an opportunity to renew them. In the case of new international applicants, the need to prioritize on very high positions or different visa categories is necessary. As a result, the future of sponsored chef positions in the UK is dependent upon the ultimate design of the government economic policy and upon the decisions realized by its advisory bodies.