Chefs surpass IT professionals in applying for UK work visa

Recent analysis of UK immigration data has revealed an unexpected development: visa applications for chefs have surpassed those for computer programmers. This shift comes despite the British government’s ongoing efforts to prioritise attracting highly skilled, tech-savvy workers to bolster its ambitions of becoming a digital superpower.

According to a report by the Financial Times, 6,203 chefs were granted skilled worker visas in the year leading up to March 2024, marking a 54% increase from the previous year. In stark contrast, the number of work permits issued to programmers and software developers plummeted from 8,752 to 4,280 during the same period.

Both professions are notably popular among Indian migrants. The Indian restaurant industry, a significant presence in the UK, has long advocated for more lenient immigration policies to allow a greater influx of hospitality workers.

However, this spike in chef visas may be short-lived. Changes to the skilled worker visa rules have raised the minimum salary requirement to £38,700, or £30,960 for younger workers. With the average chef’s salary in the UK standing at £22,877 as of April 2023, many restaurants are unlikely to afford the new salary levels. This has led to a rush of applications before the new thresholds were enforced.

Official data has yet to reflect the latest changes to the UK immigration system, which has introduced more stringent restrictions and higher visa fees. Early indicators suggest a downward trend in migration, with a 10% drop in net migration in 2023 to 685,000 and a decrease in visa applications.

For Indians aspiring to work in the UK, the path forward is mixed. The increased salary threshold has closed doors for many middle-skilled roles in retail and hospitality. However, the health and care sectors remain largely unaffected by these changes, continuing to offer significant opportunities.

Also read: Portugal to tighten immigration rules, introduce pre-arrival work visa requirement

New restrictions, such as the prohibition of dependent visas for care workers, mean that married individuals cannot bring their families. Yet, for young Indians without family commitments, this visa route remains viable. Additionally, skilled professionals in fields such as IT, engineering, science, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary medicine still find ample opportunities in the UK.

The Young Professionals scheme also offers a route, with 3,000 visas available annually to Indians aged 18 to 30 with a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must demonstrate £2,530 (INR 264,230) in savings for 28 consecutive days and not have financial responsibilities for children under 18. The next round of applications opens in July.

Also read: People are Googling these 7 places the most for travelling

As the UK navigates its evolving immigration landscape, the balance between economic needs and policy changes continues to shape the opportunities available for international workers.