Shortages of staff in the hospitality industry following Brexit have prompted the launch of a petition calling on the Government to supply temporary visas to workers in the sector.
A petition has been launched to allow EU nationals to come to the UK to work in hospitality for up to two years.
The petition will run until February 2023. If it gains 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Check out the eligibility
With the United Kingdom leaving the European Union the free movement of people between the two ended. UK citizens have lost their right to live and work anywhere in the European Union, and vice versa.
However, the Skilled Worker visa allows certain types of worker to have jobs in the UK. In hospitality, a chef qualifies as a Skilled Worker, but a cook or waiter does not.
The requirement for the visa is that your job is eligible for the visa; that the company you work for is a Home Office approved UK employer and you get the minimum salary for the type of job.
That minimum salary must be either:
- £25,600 per year
- £10.10 per hour
- the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing
Minimum salary requirements
The Government says you will usually need to be paid at least £25,600 per year or £10.10 per hour, whichever is higher. If the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than both of these, you’ll usually need to be paid at least the going rate.
Jobs in healthcare or education
There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs, where the going rate is based on national pay scales.
When you can be paid less
If you do not meet the usual salary requirements, and you do not work in healthcare or education, you might still be eligible if your salary will be at least £20,480 per year and at least £10.10 per hour.
Check when you can be paid less.
Approved UK employers
Approved employers are also known as sponsors because they are sponsoring you to come to or stay in the UK. You must have a job offer before you apply for a Skilled Worker visa.
What if I have a job offer?
The employer will check eligibility requirements and provide an electronic ‘certificate of sponsorship’ to prove this, which will have a reference number needed for the visa application.
You must apply for your visa within three months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.
For help and advice on Brexit related matters, call our team today.