Visas For Restaurant Staff?

[Rickys]

This is a peculiar questions and I hope I don’t flamed for asking it.

In the UK, as well as most other countries I presume, there have been a lot of Thai Restaurants that have opened recently. The appetite for Thai food in the UK seems to have exploded over the past year.

Of the Restaurants I have been in, they are all seem to be owned and run by Thai nationals.

What type of visa are they likely to be on? I appreciate there must be a UK owner somewhere along the line who is married to a Thai, but I don’t see how the staff can be all from the same family.

Is there anything special about the hospitality industry and visas?

[the scouser]

It used to be possible to obtain short-term work permits in the hospitality industry under the Sectro Based Scheme. However, this was wound up last December and no new permits are being issued under this scheme. Failing that, the staff in Thai restaurants are either married to Brits, students, those who were issued with a work permit in less stringent times, or working illegally. It's still possible to get a work permit for a chef, but he is going to have to be a proper chef with relevant training and experience, not just someone you know who cooks a mean gaeng kiaw wahn.

Scouse.

[mrbojangles]

In the UK, as well as most other countries I presume, there have been a lot of Thai Restaurants that have opened recently. The appetite for Thai food in the UK seems to have exploded over the past year.

The Scouser has answered your question but what amazes me is that you are right, restaurants are opening all over but the Thai's I know, don't like eating in them. They either complain that their own cooking is better or it's too expensive.

[the scouser]

Well, I can confirm that Mrs. BoJangles' cooking is far better than most Thai restaurants.

Scouse.

(Does that get me a free pint of Stella?)

[mrbojangles]

Well, I can confirm that Mrs. BoJangles' cooking is far better than most Thai restaurants.

Scouse.

(Does that get me a free pint of Stella?)

Of course my friend

[expatwannabe]

I can confirm the same situation in the U.S., that Thai restaurants were all staffed with Thais, and in some cases with members of the extended family.

The explanation I was given (and I don't know if it was true) was that Thai language was required for being acquainted with the foods and being able to communicate with the rest of the staff and the chef. And since Thais don't make up a sizeable portion of the population (except in Hollywood), they could argue a Thai needed to be sponsored - and that was invariably a family member.

[markr]

Still dont understand how you can call that evil stuff a nice pint scouse!

[mrbojangles]

Still dont understand how you can call that evil stuff a nice pint scouse!

Yeah, especially when he drinks it by the gallon

[the scouser]

[mijan24]

In the UK, as well as most other countries I presume, there have been a lot of Thai Restaurants that have opened recently. The appetite for Thai food in the UK seems to have exploded over the past year.

The Scouser has answered your question but what amazes me is that you are right, restaurants are opening all over but the Thai's I know, don't like eating in them. They either complain that their own cooking is better or it's too expensive.

Forgetting the cost for a moment - Thais or those used to Thai (thai) food find the Thai restaurant food outside of Thailand leaves a lot to be desired and there is a reason for this.

Westerners in the main are not used to the normal strength of Thai (thai) food my other half came to Australia on contract in 1995 as a Chef (she had been working in a Bangkok restaurant for the 13 years immediately prior to this.

The Thai owner & his wife (Thai too) spent the first month or so getting her to change her receipes to accomodate the local (western) palate, the only time we enjoyed Thai (thai food was after closing when the staff (Thai) ate or at home/Thai functions.

Edited July 12, 2007 by mijan24

[Krub]

real belgian beer !

[iainiain101]

Westerners in the main are not used to the normal strength of Thai (thai) food my other half came to Australia on contract in 1995 as a Chef (she had been working in a Bangkok restaurant for the 13 years immediately prior to this.

I have to say this is one of the most annoying things on my trips to Thailand. The Thais not believing that British people eat spicy food, or having to send it back to be spiced up in restaurants! I and most of my friends eat more spicy than my Thai gf!

I would say the majority of Brits like spicy washed down with cold lager!

Iain

[Lazy Sod]

How about brothers and sisters of the (Thai) wife, is it any easier for them to legally work in the restaurant?

[the scouser]

That'd depend what the brothers' or sisters' immigration status is. If they were to be visitors, they could not work, but if they were to be students, they could, up to 20 hours per week during term time.

Scouse.