Many people from around the world want to work in the United Kingdom (UK). They are excited about its culture, food industry, and beautiful cities. One famous duty dream is to be a waiter worker in the United Kingdom with visa sponsorship. But in 2025, United Kingdom immigration rules have changed a lot. These all changes now make it harder for some hospitality waiter workers to get duties with visas.
Let’s define what’s changed, what duties are still possible, and how you can try to duty in the United Kingdom hospitality sector in 2025.
Big Changes in UK Immigration Rules for Hospitality Jobs
The United Kingdom changed its visa rules on July 22, 2025. These all changes mostly effect person who want to work in duties like waiter, waitress, or cleaner workers. Before this date, it was easier to apply for a waiter worker duty through the best Skilled Worker visa. But now it is much harder.
Here’s what changed:
1. Salary Must Be Higher Now
Before, you needed to earn at least £38,700 per year to get the Skilled Worker visa. Now, it has gone up to £41,700 per year.
There is a lower amount (around £33,400) if you are:
- Under 26 years old (a “new entrant”)
- Switching from a student visa
But even this lower amount is still too high for most entry-level waiter jobs.
2. You Need a Higher Skill Level
The UK now asks for a RQF Level 6 job (same as a university degree). Waiter jobs are usually RQF Level 2 or 3, so they do not qualify anymore.
This means waiter and waitress jobs are no longer on the UK’s visa list. So, if you didn’t already have a sponsored visa before July 22, 2025, you probably cannot get one now for a waiter job.
What Can You Do Now?
Even if waiter worker duties are hard to get with a visa, some hospitality duties still allow sponsorship. You can try again for higher roles in hotels or restaurants.
Here are some examples define:
Restaurant Manager Jobs
Duties like restaurant managers or person who run a café or pub are still okay for best visa sponsorship. These all duties:
- Are at RQF Level 6
- Payment higher salaries
- Need more skills and work experience
These all duties are under SOC code 1222 or 1223.
2. Hotel Manager Jobs
If you have work experience in hotels, you can apply for hotel manager or accommodation manager duties (SOC code 1221). These all duties are also at the right skill top level for a best Skilled Worker visa.
3. Chef Jobs
Some chef roles are still sponsorable, especially:
- Head Chef
- Sous Chef
- Specialist or senior chefs
But you must have best cooking skills and enough work experience. Not all chef roles are accepted, so check carefully.
How to Get a Job That Can Be Sponsored?
If you want a duty with visa sponsorship in the United Kingdom, you must follow these all easy steps:
Step 1: Get a Job Offer
You need a duty offer from a industries in the United Kingdom. The industry must have a Sponsor Licence. This industry will give you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Step 2: Check the Requirements
You must meet these conditions:
- Speak English well (take a test like IELTS)
- Have the needed skill level for the job
- Earn the correct salary amount
Step 3: Apply for the Visa
After getting your CoS, you apply for the Skilled Worker visa. You must show documents like:
- Passport
- Proof of money or support
- English language test result
But again, waiter jobs do not meet the new skill rules, so this visa route won’t work for waiters.
Helpful Tips for 2025 UK Hospitality Jobs
Do Your Research
Always check new rules before applying. Some sites or ads may have old info that is no longer true.
Build Your Skills
If you want to duty in the United Kingdom, try to:
- Understand hotel or restaurant management
- Study hospitality at university level
- Get lots of duty experience
This can supports you apply for higher roles that still qualify for visas.
Try Other Routes (Limited)
Many other visa types might duty, like:
- Youth Mobility Scheme (for person from certain countries, age 18–30)
- Dependent visa (if your spouse already lives and duty in the United Kingdom)
But these all do not apply to most waiter worker duty seekers.
Watch Out for Scams
Because so some persons want to duty in the United Kingdom, some fake industries try to cheat waiter workers. Always check if the employer is on the United Kingdom Home Office list of approved sponsors.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I still get a waiter job in the UK with visa sponsorship?
A: No, it is very hard now. The new rules ask for higher skills (university level) and higher salaries. Waiter jobs don’t meet this, so they’re not allowed for new Skilled Worker visas.
Q2: What is the new salary rule?
A: You must earn at least £41,700 per year for most jobs. Some younger people or students may qualify at £33,400, but waiter jobs still do not fit.
Q3: Are any hospitality jobs still allowed for visas?
A: Yes. You can still apply for:
- Restaurant Manager
- Hotel Manager
- Head or Specialist Chef
These jobs must meet both skill and salary rules.
Q4: Where can I find real UK sponsor jobs?
A: Check websites like:
Also, check if the company name is on the Home Office sponsor list.
Final Thoughts: Be Smart, Be Ready
Getting a waiter job in the UK with a visa in 2025 is very difficult now. But the UK still needs good hospitality workers—just in more advanced roles.
To reach your dream:
- Learn more skills
- Gain experience
- Aim for manager or chef jobs
This may take time, but it can lead to a strong career in the UK.
What You Can Do Now
✔ Search for Current Jobs:
Search on duty sites mentioned above. Use filters like “best visa sponsorship” and “Skilled Worker visa.”
✔ Contact Hospitality Recruitment Agencies:
Find companies that help international waiter workers. Make sure they know about the latest visa rules in 2025.
✔ Stay Up to Date:
Follow new updates on the official United Kingdom govt immigration site. Rules may change again.