Restrictions on immigrant chefs tightened

Friday 10 January 2014

Rules on work permits for skilled chefs coming to Jersey from outside of Europe have been tightened up.

Jersey has followed the UK Home Office in raising the qualification criteria for skilled chefs who aren't from the European Economic Area. Under the new rules, hotels and restaurants making work permit applications to employ these chefs will now have to prove that they will earn at least £29,570 and that the role requires at least five years’ experience; and applications will only be granted on the proviso that the job is not in a restaurant with a takeaway.

The change, which took effect from 1 January, covers skilled chefs who come from outside of the EEA (which comprises the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).

People coming to work in Jersey from within the EU will not have to meet the new criteria.

The UK made the change as part of moves to control immigration into the country, and because they were concerned about abuse of work permit rules through bogus applications.

Even where work permit applications are granted by the Home Affairs department, prospective employers will have to prove that they have made efforts to fill the posts locally or within the EEA and failed – and the usual stipulations of the new housing law will still apply.