Visa Sponsorship Hospitality & Catering Jobs in UK 2025

Looking for a fresh start in the UK? Hospitality and catering roles here offer full-time opportunities where your experience truly matters. Whether you’ve spent a few years mastering your craft in a bustling kitchen or managing guests with a smile, your skills are valued.
Salaries are competitive chefs can earn between £18,000 and £40,000 depending on experience, while hotel and service staff typically earn £18,000–£25,000, and waitstaff can make £8–£12 per hour plus tips. These roles are all in-person, giving you the chance to meet new people, share your passion, and create memorable experiences for guests every day.
Job Details:
- Country: UK
- Job Title: Hospitality and catering job
- Job Type: Full Time
- Experience: Few Years
- Visa Sponsorship: Yes
Requirements:
To secure a hospitality or catering job in the UK with visa sponsorship, candidates typically need:
- In the majority of the positions, prior work experience in hospitality, catering, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Additional certifications concerning hygiene, cuisine, or hospitality may prove advantageous. Other certifications include culinary certificates, food hygiene certificates, hospitality diplomas, and vegetarian certifications.
- Particularly for positions that involve client interaction, proficiency in English is essential.
- It is not uncommon for sponsoring employers to require candidates to satisfy predetermined immigration requirements in order to obtain visas.
Benefits:
Working in the UK’s hospitality and catering sector offers numerous benefits:
- The legal right to reside and work in the United Kingdom:
A Skilled Worker visa provides legal employment status, enabling you to reside and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum of five years, with the potential for extension or settlement (ILR). Avoids the hazards of undocumented employment and grants you complete access to employee rights. - Route to Permanent Residence:
You may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of uninterrupted sponsored employment, which is a preliminary step toward British citizenship. This residency period includes the time spent on a Skilled Worker visa. - Job Security and Competitive Salaries:
Sponsorship positions typically satisfy minimum salary requirements, providing more consistent, full-time employment with contractual obligations and safeguards. For instance, competent chefs, hotel managers, and catering supervisors typically earn £25,000–£40,000 annually. - Shortage Occupation Advantage (for certain positions):
Certain hospitality positions, particularly chefs, continue to be listed on the Shortage Occupation List, which indicates: Lowers salary thresholds Provides reduced visa expenses Boosts the likelihood of visa approval and job offer acceptance - Experience in a Global Hospitality Market:
The hospitality industry in the United Kingdom is internationally recognized, providing: Exposure to international standards Training in luxurious hotels, restaurants, and kitchens Opportunities to establish professional relationships and advance in one’s career.
Duties:
The duties vary widely based on the specific job but can include:
- Overseeing kitchen activities, food preparation, cooking, and cleaning the kitchen.
- Greeting and accommodating guests, taking orders, serving food and/or beverages, and ensuring their gratification.
- Including the provision of services to the client, the arrangement of meetings, the cleaning of the premises, and the reception.
- Coordinating with the attendees, assigning individuals to the event location, and ensuring the event proceeds smoothly.
- Course in hospitality and catering: Comprehensive information regarding employment opportunities in this sector.
Check Also: Visa Sponsorship Kitchen Assistant Jobs in UK
Types of jobs:
- Chef de Partie: Is expected to be overseen in the supervision of junior employees, the operation of specific culinary areas, and the quality of the food.
- Sous chef: Responsible for the coordination of the kitchen’s operations and the supervision of other kitchen personnel, reporting to the chief chef.
- establishment Manager: Responsible for the daily operations of the establishment, including employee discipline and service delivery.
- Hotel Receptionist: Answering inquiries regarding hotel services, taking and delivering calls, and introducing visitors.
- Housekeeping Supervisor: To supervise housekeepers and guarantee the hygiene of rooms, or to allocate specific rooms to specific housekeepers.
- Event Coordinator: The responsibility of scheduling, controlling, and organizing meetings, conferences, and other events for the benefit of customers and event management.
- Waiter or waitress: They are responsible for greeting visitors, taking orders, serving food and beverages, and ensuring their satisfaction.
Catering Recruitment Agencies UK:
Catering recruitment agencies in the UK specialize in connecting job seekers with hospitality employers. They help with placements for chefs, kitchen staff, front-of-house roles, and management positions, often including visa sponsorship for qualified international applicants.
Hospitality Job Market UK for Foreigners:
The UK hospitality job market for foreigners is thriving, especially in urban centers, tourist hotspots, and large-scale catering operations. There’s consistent demand for skilled chefs, restaurant managers, and support staff across the country.
UK Tier 2 and Skilled Worker Visa for Catering Roles:
- The UK Tier 2 visa (now replaced by the Skilled Worker visa) allows non-UK residents to work in hospitality and catering if they meet skill and salary requirements.
- Employers must be licensed sponsors to provide visa support for positions such as chefs, catering managers, and specialized kitchen staff.
Key Roles in UK Catering and Hospitality:
Chef de Partie:
Responsible for managing a specific section of the kitchen, including preparation and cooking.
Sous Chef:
Second-in-command in the kitchen, assisting the head chef with operations, staff management, and menu planning.
Head Chef:
Leads the kitchen, oversees all culinary operations, and ensures food quality and compliance with standards.
Catering Manager:
Manages catering operations, staff, and budgets for events, hotels, or corporate dining services.
Restaurant Manager:
Oversees front-of-house operations, staff scheduling, and customer service excellence.
Kitchen Assistant:
Supports chefs in food preparation, cleaning, and stock management.
Front of House Staff:
Includes waiters, host/hostesses, and bar staff, ensuring excellent customer service.
Back of House Staff:
Covers kitchen support roles, cleaning, dishwashing, and food prep teams.
Catering Supervisor:
Oversees daily catering operations, ensuring smooth workflow and quality standards.
Catering Assistant:
Assists in food preparation, serving, and maintaining hygiene standards in kitchens and catering events.
Salary Expectations:
Salaries in the hospitality and catering industry vary based on experience, location, and specific job roles:
- Chefs: The annual salary of a trainee chef typically ranges from £18,000 to £22,000, while experienced chefs may earn up to £40,000 or more.
- Waitstaff: It is typically compensated on an hourly basis and typically falls within the range of £8 to £12, with the possibility of additional gratuities.
- Hotel Staff: Administrative staff, including receptionists, cleaning and first-line housekeepers, and first-line caretakers, may earn between £18,000 and £25,000 annually, contingent upon their level of experience and the region.
Application Process of Visa Sponsorship Hospitality & Catering Jobs in UK 2025:
Applying for hospitality and catering jobs with visa sponsorship typically involves:
- Employers who offer visa sponsorship and job listings ought to be acknowledged.
- Ensure that your curriculum vitae is composed in a format that is tailored to the requirements of a specific position.
- Submit your applications to employers directly or to internet-based employment sites.
- Anticipate inquiries regarding competencies and aptitude assessments for the position that are probable to be posed during an interview.
- Do not permit your employer to recruit you without assisting them in navigating the immigration process to obtain a working visa if you are hired.
Conclusion:
The UK’s hospitality and catering sector offers rewarding, full-time roles with competitive salaries and visa sponsorship for skilled international talent. With experience, certifications, and English proficiency, candidates can enjoy legal employment, career growth, and a path to permanent residency. From kitchens to hotels and events, these opportunities combine professional development with the chance to build a vibrant life abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which visa is used for hospitality & catering roles?
Most roles fall under the Skilled Worker visa (replacing Tier 2). Employers need a Sponsor Licence to hire for eligible positions like chefs, restaurant/hotel managers, catering staff, etc.
Roles must meet minimum skill and salary thresholds, plus applicants must score 70 points under the UK’s points-based systemWhat job positions qualify?
Common sponsorship-eligible roles include:
Chefs (head chef, sous chef, CDP, pastry chef)
Restaurant/catering managers
Hotel and accommodation managers
Event planners/coordinators
Bar/kitchen staff, housekeeping, and reception roles (depending on SOC code and skill levels)What do employers need to sponsor?
Sponsor Licence from UKVI (A-rated)
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) with correct SOC code
Pay minimum salary threshold per visa rules
Robust HR systems to manage sponsored workers
No unspent criminal records or prior licence misuse