Tory attempts to curry favour with Indian restauranteurs with promises of work permits in exchange for Brexit votes have seemingly backfired. Now that the Brexit dust is beginning to settle, it has been made apparent that the government has no intention of honouring their promise of work permits for South Asian chefs working in the United Kingdom, who will instead still need to meet the minimum income requirements for employees.
South Asian Chefs Work Permits: What is the Brexit Problem?
Curry has been a favourite staple of the British public since the 1950s, and the industry has blossomed from humble beginnings to the £4 billion behemoth it is today. Despite curry’s enduring popularity, however, the industry is facing something of a crisis, as a drastic shortage of South Asian chefs saw the closure of 600 restaurants in 2016, with fears that over a third of the industry could suffer a similar fate. Those fears led many in the South Asian community to support and even campaign for Brexit, under the proviso that withdrawing from the EU would lead to increased support for South Asian migrants hoping to come to the United Kingdom in order to work – especially in the case of South Asian chefs.
Support for Brexit within the South Asian community was rallied primarily by Priti Patel, MP for Witham, who said that it was “manifestly unfair and unjust” that South Asian chefs should have to deal with a “second-class immigration system” compared with chefs from the EU. An Australian-style points system was proposed that would allow migrants from Commonwealth countries to apply for work permits, and to ultimately take the place of Eastern European migrants who would face tougher immigration requirements once Brexit negotiations were concluded. This, it was suggested, would allow for the survival of the curry house industry, and this apparent surety was what motivated the South Asian community to support Brexit.
South Asian Chefs Work Permit: What Does the Future Hold?
Soon after the Brexit vote, however, Theresa May ruled out the possibility of an Australian-style points system for migrants, leading many to ask if they had been misled into offering their support to Brexit. There was an assumption that immigration from India and South Asia would increase post-Brexit, with the conditions for South Asian chefs in particular being more favourable. However, it seems that this is not the case: the anti-immigration rhetoric that presaged the Brexit vote has been increasing ever since, and the government has made mention of reducing net migration to 100,000, none of which has allayed the concerns of the South Asian community.
Resultantly, the pressure on the curry house industry is unlikely to subside. Changes to the Immigration Rules for Tier 2 Employees in April of this year, as well as the introduction of an Immigration Skills Charge have seen the income requirements increase further, pricing out all but the most specialised and elite chefs. It seems likely that the number of South Asian chefs able to come to the United Kingdom in order to work will continue to fall, and that promises that were made in light of the Brexit vote are likely to go unfulfilled. The Immigration Rules continue to be tightened, and having a clear understanding of the requirements as both an employer and employee is vital for the success of a business.
Using Legal Representation to Apply for a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence and Tier 2 Work Permit in the United Kingdom
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to apply for a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence and Tier 2 Work Permit in the United Kingdom.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, all necessary documents must be provided.
This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successfully Apply for a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence and Tier 2 Work Permit in the United Kingdom
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your immigration status and the merit of your visa and immigration application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your immigration and visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
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Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.