Thinking about working in the UK? Love the idea of restaurants, buzzing cafes, or even hotel dining? Then you’re going to love this: waiter and waitress jobs in the UK are one of the most accessible ways to start your career abroad — and many of them now come with visa sponsorship.
Let’s unpack how you, as a foreigner, can land a sponsored hospitality job in the UK in 2025.
Contents
- 1 🌍 Why the UK Needs Foreign Workers in Hospitality
- 2 👩🍳 What’s a Waiter/Waitress Job Like in the UK?
- 3 💼 Can You Get a Visa for This Job?
- 4 🏨 Types of Places That Hire Waiters/Waitresses
- 5 🧾 Salary & Benefits (What You’ll Earn in 2025)
- 6 📋 UK Skilled Worker Visa – What You Need
- 7 🌍 Who Can Apply?
- 8 🛠️ How to Apply for Waiter/Waitress Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
- 9 🙋♀️ Real-Life Story: Asha from Kenya 🇰🇪
- 10 ⚠️ Important Tips & Warnings
- 11 🚀 Final Thoughts – Start Small, Grow Big
🌍 Why the UK Needs Foreign Workers in Hospitality
Here’s the truth. The UK is short on workers in hospitality. Since Brexit and COVID-19, many restaurants, hotels, and cafés are facing serious staffing gaps. And it’s not just in London — we’re talking about towns, countryside pubs, city hotels, airport lounges… everywhere.
That’s where you come in.
To keep their businesses running, UK employers are now offering visa sponsorships to international candidates who are willing to work as waiters, waitresses, kitchen assistants, and food service staff.
👩🍳 What’s a Waiter/Waitress Job Like in the UK?
If you’ve worked in hospitality before — great. If not? Don’t worry. The job is very learnable and rewarding once you get the hang of it.
Duties Usually Include:
- Greeting and serving customers politely
- Taking food and drink orders
- Delivering meals from the kitchen to the table
- Handling bills and card payments
- Keeping tables and service areas clean
- Communicating with kitchen and bar staff
- Making sure customers have a good time
And yes — tips are still a thing in the UK (although not as big as in the US).
💼 Can You Get a Visa for This Job?
Yes, but let’s be real — not every restaurant can offer a visa. Only licensed UK sponsors can legally hire international workers on the Skilled Worker Visa. But here’s the good news: more and more hospitality employers are becoming licensed sponsors in 2025 due to staff shortages.
That means you CAN get a waiter/waitress job in the UK with visa sponsorship — especially if you’re willing to work outside the big cities or in high-demand roles.
🏨 Types of Places That Hire Waiters/Waitresses
You’ve got options. Loads of them.
- 🍴 Fine dining restaurants
- ☕ Cafés and coffee shops (like Pret, Costa, and Nero)
- 🏨 Hotels and resorts
- 🍻 Pubs and gastropubs
- 🛫 Airport restaurants
- 🎓 University and college dining halls
- 🎉 Catering companies and event venues
Each offers a slightly different vibe — some formal, some chill, but all need people who are polite, fast, and reliable.
🧾 Salary & Benefits (What You’ll Earn in 2025)
Here’s a ballpark idea of what you can earn as a waiter/waitress in the UK with visa sponsorship:
| Position | Hourly Wage | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| Waiter/Waitress | £11 – £13/hour | £1,800 – £2,200 |
| Senior Waitstaff | £13 – £15/hour | £2,200 – £2,600 |
| Supervisor/Head Waiter | £15 – £17/hour | £2,500 – £2,800 |
💡 Many roles also include:
- Free or discounted meals
- Tips and service charges (shared among staff)
- Paid holidays
- Free uniforms
- Staff discounts at chains or hotels
- Training and growth into supervisor or manager roles
📋 UK Skilled Worker Visa – What You Need
To qualify for a visa-sponsored job as a waiter/waitress, you’ll need:
- A job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
- Proof of English language proficiency (sometimes waived)
- A valid passport
- A clean criminal background check
- Proof you can support yourself when you first arrive (unless employer covers it)
Some roles may also ask for hospitality experience, but it’s not always required.
🌍 Who Can Apply?
Literally anyone outside the UK — including:
- 🇮🇳 India
- 🇵🇭 Philippines
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria
- 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
- 🇳🇵 Nepal
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan
- 🇿🇦 South Africa
- 🇰🇪 Kenya
- 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
- 🇬🇭 Ghana
If you’ve got a positive attitude, good communication skills, and basic English — you’re already halfway there.
🛠️ How to Apply for Waiter/Waitress Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
Let’s keep it simple.
1. Check the UK Sponsor List
Go to the UK government’s official sponsor list:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers
Filter by: “hospitality”, “catering”, or “restaurant”
2. Use Trusted Job Portals
Look for keywords like “visa sponsorship”, “Skilled Worker”, “international candidates welcome” on:
3. Apply Through UK-Based Hospitality Agencies
Many UK staffing agencies specialize in hiring foreign talent for hospitality. Examples:
- Blue Arrow
- RE Recruitment
- Berkeley Scott
- Staffline Hospitality
Some of these agencies help with documents and onboarding too.
4. Tailor Your CV (UK Style)
✅ Keep it short (1–2 pages)
✅ Mention previous hospitality/customer-facing experience
✅ Highlight English ability and visa eligibility
✅ Say clearly: “Looking for visa sponsorship – eligible for Skilled Worker visa”
🙋♀️ Real-Life Story: Asha from Kenya 🇰🇪
Asha worked as a waitress in Nairobi for 3 years before applying to a small hotel in Devon through an agency in the UK. She got a sponsored role, moved in early 2024, and now works as a restaurant supervisor earning £2,600/month.
“I didn’t know this job could take me to another country. But here I am, and it’s just the beginning.”
⚠️ Important Tips & Warnings
🚫 Don’t pay shady agents who promise jobs in exchange for money.
✅ Only apply to companies listed on the UK sponsor register.
🔐 Check contracts before signing anything.
📢 Interviews are usually online — prepare well, speak clearly, and smile!
🚀 Final Thoughts – Start Small, Grow Big
Waiter and waitress jobs may not sound glamorous, but they’re a real, stable way to move to the UK with a visa.
You’ll:
- Earn decent money
- Get UK work experience
- Build up toward permanent residence (ILR)
- And maybe, just maybe, open your own restaurant one day 💫
If you’re dreaming of working abroad, don’t wait. Start applying today. The 2025 window is open — and jobs are waiting for you.