Are you dreaming of working in a busy restaurant in London, a small hotel in Scotland, or a cool café in Manchester? Do you want to start a better life in the UK while working in the hospitality field? If you are good at customer service and love helping people, this guide is for you!
The Best News: Some restaurants and hotels in the United Kingdom are still giving best visa sponsorships to people from out of countries.
But from July 22, 2025, the United Kingdom made new visa rules. These all rules have made it harder to get a duty visa for many duties like “waiter” because of higher education and salary requirements.
This simple guide will help you understand what is happening, what jobs you can apply for, and how to increase your chances of getting a job in the UK with a visa.
The UK Hospitality Sector: What You Need to Know
The UK has many jobs in hotels, cafés, and restaurants. These all include waiter duties, restaurant manager duties, and fine dining duties.
But the United Kingdom government now wants only skilled helpers to come through the Skilled Worker visa route.
Important Changes (From July 22, 2025):
- Higher Skills Needed: Now you need a degree-level job (RQF Level 6) to get the Skilled Worker visa. Many waiter jobs do not meet this rule anymore.
- More Salary Required: You must earn at least £41,700 per year. Some jobs also have a “going rate” which may be higher.
- What Jobs Still Qualify?:
- Manager jobs (restaurant manager, hotel manager, catering manager)
- Specialist jobs (like wine experts or head waiters in top restaurants)
Why You Should Still Think About the UK
Even with the changes, the UK is a great place to live and work. If you get a visa through an approved job, you can live in the UK long-term and maybe apply for permanent residency later.
How to Apply for a Waiter-Related Job With Sponsorship (Step-by-Step)
Find UK Employers With a Sponsor Licence
To get a work visa, you must be hired by an employer who has a Sponsor Licence.
- Go to the UK government website: GOV.UK Register of Sponsors
- Search for companies in hospitality (hotels, restaurants, cafés)
- Some recruitment agencies in the UK also help international workers find sponsor jobs.
Apply for Jobs That Qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa
Now, it’s not easy to get a visa as a basic “waiter.” So focus on:
- Manager Jobs: Restaurant manager, hotel manager, catering manager, bar manager.
- Specialist Jobs: High-end waiter jobs in fine dining or Michelin star restaurants.
- Related Jobs: Bartender or bar staff roles with extra duties may also work.
Write a Good CV and Cover Letter
Your CV (resume) should show:
- Your waiter experience
- Your customer service skills
- Experience in food and drink service
- Any training or leadership you’ve done
Your cover letter should explain:
- Why you want to work in the UK
- That you understand the visa rules
- That you are ready to grow into higher roles
Check the Visa Rules for the UK Skilled Worker Visa
To get this visa, you need:
- A job offer from a licensed sponsor
- A job that matches a Skilled Worker occupation code (with RQF Level 6)
- A salary of at least £41,700 per year (or more, depending on the job)
- English language skills at B1 level
- Enough money in your bank (around £1,270), unless your employer supports you
- Police record certificate and TB test (if required from your country)
Apply Online for the Visa
- After getting a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), apply online on the UKVI website.
- You will give your fingerprints and photo.
- You will also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to use NHS services in the UK.
How to Increase Your Chances
Even if waiter jobs are harder now, there are ways to improve your chances:
- Learn special skills (e.g., wine service, barista, sommelier, mixology)
- Take manager training
- Show leadership skills at your current job
- Aim to grow from a waiter to a team leader or assistant manager
Note: Some areas of hospitality still have a staff shortage. The UK still needs skilled managers and staff with special training.
Final Tips – What You Can Do Today
- Start looking for jobs with visa sponsorship on GOV.UK
- Write a strong CV and cover letter
- Get extra training to move into higher roles
- Stay updated with UK immigration news
- Share this guide with friends or family also looking to work in the UK!