The UK Home Office has recently taken steps to invite Skilled Worker Visa applicants from the hospitality sector to interviews before making a final decision. This approach indicates a heightened sensitivity towards applications from the hospitality industry, acknowledging its crucial role in maintaining high service standards.

The Skilled Worker Visa is designed for individuals who have been offered a skilled job in the UK. The application process typically involves obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK employer, proving English language proficiency, and meeting the required salary threshold.
Eligible occupations within the hospitality sector for the Skilled Worker Visa include, but are not limited to, Chef, Restaurant Manager, Floor Manager, Catering Manager, and Bar Manager. These roles are essential in delivering the exceptional service standards that the UK hospitality industry is known for.
We recently encountered a case where our client, a talented Chef from Istanbul, Turkey, was invited for an interview at the Istanbul Visa Application Centre after submitting his entry clearance application. The interview included questions related to hygiene, cross-contamination, and risk management, such as:
How will you ensure that you cook dishes to a high standard while preparing the food to your sponsor’s expected timescales?
How do you know whether food is safe to eat, or whether it cannot be used in a dish?
What are the risks involved in handling raw meat, and how do you ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations?
In the UK, what colour chopping board would you use for handling cooked chicken?
How do you plan menus in line with dietary requirements (e.g., Halal food, vegetarian, vegan, allergies)?
Despite our client’s preparation and the positive outcome of his Entry Clearance application, many candidates outside the UK receive negative responses following their interview assessments.
This practice by the UK Home Office not only ensures the genuineness of the vacancy but also maintains high standards in the hospitality sector. It underscores the importance of applicants being well-versed in UK-specific standards, such as cross-contamination colour codes, to succeed in their visa applications.
If you are facing challenges with your Skilled Worker Visa application, we are here to help. Contact us at info@sortielegal.com, and feel free to share your thoughts under this post.
Thank you for reading. Ahmet HUSREV