London kitchen Jobs with visa sponsorship in 2025

London Kitchen Jobs with Visa Sponsorship in 2025

London, a city known for its vibrant culture and diverse culinary scene, is home to thousands of restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and food chains that constantly seek skilled kitchen staff. With the hospitality sector steadily recovering and growing in 2025, many employers are once again opening their doors to international workers—offering visa sponsorship for kitchen jobs in both casual and fine-dining establishments.

If you’re an aspiring chef, kitchen assistant, or someone passionate about food and cooking, this article will guide you step-by-step on how to land a kitchen job in London with visa sponsorship.

Step 1: Understand the Types of Kitchen Jobs Available

Before applying, it’s essential to know the different roles available in a commercial kitchen. Depending on your experience and interest, here are the most common positions:

Kitchen Porter – Entry-level role responsible for cleaning dishes, tools, and workspaces.
Commis Chef – Junior chef who supports other chefs with basic food preparation.
Chef de Partie (Line Cook) – Manages a specific section of the kitchen (grill, fry, pastry, etc.).
Sous Chef – Second-in-command, overseeing kitchen operations and assisting the Head Chef.
Head Chef (Executive Chef) – Manages the entire kitchen team, menu planning, and food quality.
Pastry Chef / Baker – Specializes in desserts, bread, and baking.

Kitchen jobs range from entry-level roles that require little experience to professional chef positions needing formal training and years of expertise.

Step 2: Check Your Eligibility for UK Work Visa

To work in the UK in 2025, you’ll need to secure a job offer from a licensed sponsor who can provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for a Skilled Worker visa.

Eligibility checklist:

A confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a sponsorship license.
Job must meet the required skill and salary threshold (starting at £20,960 or £10.75/hour for entry-level roles).
Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS).
Enough funds to support yourself until your first paycheck (or employer can certify support).
Clean criminal record and health checks.

Many kitchen roles, especially for chefs, fall under the UK’s eligible occupations list for sponsorship.

Step 3: Search for Kitchen Jobs with Sponsorship in London

To find a job that comes with visa sponsorship, focus your search on trusted platforms and companies that are registered with the UK government to sponsor skilled workers.

Where to search:

UK Government Website: Use the list of licensed sponsors at gov.uk.
Job Boards: Sites like Indeed, Caterer.com, Reed.co.uk, and HospitalityJobsUK often include listings that mention “visa sponsorship available.”
Company Career Pages: Large hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, IHG), restaurants (Gordon Ramsay Group, D&D London), and recruitment agencies list sponsored roles directly.
Recruitment Agencies: Look for those specializing in hospitality and international hiring.

Use search terms like “kitchen jobs with visa sponsorship London” or “Skilled Worker visa chef jobs.”

Step 4: Prepare a UK-Standard Job Application

To improve your chances of getting hired, your job application should be professional, focused, and tailored to UK standards.

Key documents:

CV (Resume): Clearly list your experience, skills, and certifications. Highlight cooking techniques, cuisines, hygiene training, or kitchen software experience.
Cover Letter: Explain your interest in the role and why you want to work in London. Show passion for food and adaptability to the UK hospitality culture.
References: Include contact details from previous employers.
Certificates: Provide proof of culinary education or food safety certifications, if applicable.

Step 5: Interview and Visa Application Process

Once selected, the employer will provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), allowing you to apply for a Skilled Worker visa.

Steps:

Submit your visa application online at the official UK immigration site.
Upload required documents (passport, CoS, English test, financial proof).
Pay visa fees and health surcharge.
Attend a biometric appointment and interview (if required).
Wait for visa approval (usually takes a few weeks).

Step 6: Arrive in London and Start Working

Once your visa is approved, make travel arrangements and prepare for your new life in London.

Upon arrival:

Get a National Insurance Number for tax and benefits.
Open a UK bank account for salary payments.
Attend onboarding with your employer, including health and safety training.
Learn UK-specific food safety laws and workplace culture.