Will the UK introduce the “Vindaloo Visa” for chefs?

Priti Patel, UK Home Secretary, plans to introduce the new “Vindaloo Visa” in a bid to save the curry houses in the UK. Indian restaurants are closing at an alarming rate in the UK. Most of these “Indian restaurants” are run by immigrants from Bangladesh.

The new visa plans to ease the visa restrictions on skilled chefs. The occupation of “Chef” is available on the Tier 2 occupation list. Even then it is a difficult proposition to bring in chefs on Tier 2 or Tier 2 Sponsor Licence scheme.

Ms Patel issued a statement saying that the UK plans to introduce a points-based immigration system soon. However, before that the Govt. plans to introduce measures which will provide restaurants greater access to skilled overseas chefs. The UK has one of the best culinary scenes in the world. The proposed changes should make it even better, Patel added.

As per research, almost 2 curry houses are closing in the UK per week due to a dearth of skilled chefs. The restaurant industry has been pleading with the Govt. for years warning that the lack of skilled chefs will result in more curry houses closing shop.

Even though chefs are on the Tier 2 occupation list, the visa restrictions prevent restaurants from hiring skilled chefs. The Tier 2 visa requirement has a salary threshold of £30,000 which is very difficult for restaurants to meet. Also, most restaurants have a takeaway service which does not find a place in the Tier 2 occupation list.

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of UK, recently pledged to open UK’s door to “the brightest and the best” in the world.

Removing visa restrictions could help restaurants bring in skilled chefs from India and other countries. A statement issued by the UK Home Office says that removing visa restrictions will benefit all takeaways and not just curry houses in the UK.

It has been reported that the salary threshold will not apply to skilled chefs, hence, making it easier for them to move to the UK.

Will the Vindaloo Visa be introduced?

Vince Cable, former Liberal Democrat Leader, urged the Theresa May Govt. to introduce the 12-month Vindaloo Visa in 2017. His plea followed a campaign launched by Priti Patel in 2016 called “Save our Curry Houses”. Mr Cable had said that Britain’s curry houses were in a crisis but his request for the Vindaloo Visa was not met, as quoted by The Guardian.

Priti Patel now plans to introduce the Vindaloo Visa that was rejected by the Theresa May Govt. She has always been very vocal about how visa restrictions are leading to curry house closures. Whether the Vindaloo Visa will be introduced or not, only the future will tell.

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