Government exploring short-term visa scheme to fill hospitality vacancies
The UK is considering a short-term visa initiative to address hospitality job vacancies, potentially allowing individuals under 30 from specific countries to temporarily fill these roles.
Under this proposal, individuals aged 18 to 30 would have the opportunity to work and travel in the UK for two years without the usual requirements of sponsors or salary thresholds.
Despite a decrease of 37,000 job vacancies in the hospitality industry over the past year as of May, there remains a significant staff shortage.
The UK's focus on countries beyond Europe,
including Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Chile, Norway, and Switzerland, has been revealed.
However, the path to permanent hospitality positions may become more challenging as the Home Office considers raising the immigration health surcharge and skilled worker visa application fees.
This is particularly relevant for roles like chefs, bar managers, and restaurant managers, which typically require a skilled worker visa demanding a minimum annual salary of £26,200 or £10.75 per hour.
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