El visado británico para trabajadores cualificados: lo que debes saber como empresario del sector de la hostelería

Many hospitality jobs that require a significant level of expertise—such as jobs in the culinary arts, hotel management, or event planning—are in high demand across the UK today. In fact, demand for hospitality workers in the United Kingdom has gone up by 46% compared to pre-pandemic levels, with many employers struggling to fill roles. This has led to a growing interest in welcoming international workers through the Skilled Worker Visa.

The landscape of skilled migration remains complex in the UK, with many business leaders facing significant challenges navigating the bureaucracy and burden of relocating new employees. To help simplify this somewhat intricate process, here’s a guide to the Skilled Worker Visa and how applying for it works for employers in the hospitality industry.

El visado para trabajadores cualificados: Qué es y a quién va dirigido

The Skilled Worker Visa, which has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa, allows foreign nationals with specific skills and experience to work in the United Kingdom for up to five years. The term “skilled worker” is extremely broad and ambiguous, so it’s understandable if you’re unsure which roles qualify under this category.

¿Qué puestos de hostelería pueden optar al visado británico para trabajadores cualificados?

Algunos de los puestos de trabajo relacionados con la hostelería que pueden optar al visado de trabajador cualificado del Reino Unido son:

• Directores y propietarios de hoteles y alojamientos (incluidos títulos como propietario de parque de caravanas, director de hotel, casera);
• Directores y propietarios de restaurantes y establecimientos de restauración (propietario de cafetería, comerciante de fish & chips, director de operaciones de catering, director de restaurante, director de tienda de comida para llevar);
• Publicans and managers of licensed premises (landlady, licensee, wine bar manager, publican);
• Gestores de ocio y deportes (propietario de máquinas recreativas, gestor de centros de ocio, gestor de clubes sociales, gestor de teatros);
• Directores y propietarios de agencias de viajes (gestor de información turística, propietario de agencia de viajes, gestor de viajes);
• Gestores y organizadores de conferencias y exposiciones (coordinador de conferencias, organizador de eventos, gestor de eventos, organizador de exposiciones, gestor de hostelería).

If you’re looking to fill any of these roles, there’s a strong likelihood you can do so through the Skilled Worker Visa route.

Su licencia de patrocinador: Qué es y cómo obtenerla

As the sponsoring employer, you’ll need a valid Sponsor License to be able to hire workers on the basis of the Skilled Worker Visa. To get your Sponsor License, you have to prove you are a legitimate business, nominate an individual to be your key contact with the Home Office, and provide some details of your HR systems and processes. The application process is conducted online and typically takes less than half an hour.

• Check if your business is eligible for a Sponsor Licence: To qualify, you must not have criminal convictions for immigration offences or other crimes such as fraud or money laundering. Additionally, you cannot apply if you’ve had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months. You’ll need to show that you have systems in place to monitor sponsored employees and personnel to manage sponsorship within your business.
• Check if your job is suitable for sponsorship: Each role has a four-digit Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. To determine if the job you’re offering is eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa, identify the correct SOC code for the role using the ONS occupation coding tool. Ensure the job description matches the position being filled. Cross-reference the SOC code with the list of eligible jobs for the Skilled Worker route. The Home Office can refuse visa applications filed with incorrect SOC codes, so accuracy is crucial to avoid delays.
• Elija el tipo de permiso que desea solicitar.
• Decida quién gestionará el patrocinio dentro de su empresa.
• Solicítelo en línea y pague la tasa.

Después de solicitar su licencia de patrocinador

Once you’ve applied, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may conduct a visit to ensure everything is in order. If your application is successful, you will receive a licence rating and be able to issue certificates of sponsorship. The licence is valid for four years, but it may be revoked if you do not meet your responsibilities as a sponsor.

With a Sponsor Licence, you’ll gain access to a wider talent pool, enhancing your opportunities for growth. You can then sponsor a skilled worker, provided they already have a job offer from you and meet the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker Visa. The job offer must be at or above the minimum skill level of RQF Level 3 (equivalent to A-Level). Additionally, you must ensure that the skilled worker is paid the minimum salary for the job role, which is currently set at £26,200 per year, although some exemptions apply for certain roles and sectors.

Una vez que el trabajador solicite el visado, tendrá que aportar documentación que respalde su solicitud, incluidas pruebas de sus cualificaciones, experiencia laboral y situación económica. Como patrocinador, es tu responsabilidad llevar un registro de su empleo e informar de cualquier cambio al Ministerio del Interior. 

Ahora más que nunca, puede diferenciar su experiencia de incorporación de talento y optimizar el tiempo que su equipo de RRHH dedica al papeleo de inmigración con la plataforma de movilidad y los expertos en inmigración de Jobbatical. Jobbatical puede ayudar a reducir el tiempo de reubicación en un 50% y recortar sistemáticamente el coste por reubicación en un 70% en comparación con los bufetes de abogados tradicionales y los proveedores de reubicación del mercado.