Looking for Info about Tier 2 work visa sponsored by Restaurant for Kitchen helper

[sateeb]

Hi folks, I'm looking for info from anyone who has had recent experience in attempting to bring in Thai family member or other person as staff from LOS to the UK on a tier 2 work visa as a sponsor. The Gov UK website is a minefield in as much ad there are conflicting items of information and is so time consuming to sort out info regarding ones own situation> If anyone has attempted this please let me know the details of how to proceed and what potential problems may lie ahead.

[ian1208]

Hi Sateeb,

Sorry not a Thai but Vietnamese for a restaurant I'm involved in. We used an agent in London to do the paperwork for a fixed fee of £900.
To be honest, we knew who we wanted to bring over, a couple of fairly low qualified chef's and it was fairly painless
We guaranteed a salary of 32k each and advertised everywhere for the right people. We deduct their housing costs, utility costs etc etc. We also deduct the costs of their flights. All fairly easy.
I would imagine the fact that it is a Thai would be more problematic as their are plenty here that can do massage, chef work, translator etc.
You basically have to show that no one here can do the job or no one here wants the job. As for personal questions, I'm not sure what you mean. From what I remember, it is the same questions for an individual as it is for a company.
The agent we used said after that they can get 'family visas' very easy and they can work should we know any family members looking to come to the UK. (one of the directors is a Viet chef)
It appears you may be located in Dumfriesshire, maybe not so many Thais down there but I seriously don't think you would get a WV for a kitchen helper. I would describe it as a 'specialised Som Tam chef' able to speak fluent Thai.
Personally, like yourself I couldn't be bothered with worrying and handed it to an agent.
Good luck

[sateeb]

Thanks Ian, That's good information. Yes, I get what you mean about the specialising etc. and aim to do just that. May I ask where you advertised the job here in the UK? I read somewhere there has to be 2 ads, one local, one national, and for a duration of 28 days. Does that sound right? I'd also like to know the name of the agency you used if you can remember. BTW, I don't know if it's the same one you were or are involved with but I love the Vietnamese Fishcakes in that Vietnamese place on Sauchiehall St. Yes, I'm in Dalbeattie, Kirkudbrightshire.

[Vinny]

Compliance with the residential labour market test 37-52 (tips).

[ian1208]

Yes Sateeb, the one in Sauchiehall St. I only got involved because of the non existence of a decent Viet eating place. We have another in the west end and another planned for the centre of town.
If it wasn't Vietnamese, I wouldn't have bothered. To many Chinese, Thai, Korean etc etc.
Although, I wouldn't do hospitality again if I could turn the clock back. Its bloody hard work.
Advertising for vacancy; Job centre, obscure job agency, and the Herald newspaper for four consecutive weeks.
https://iasservices.org.uk

Above is the agency we used but I neither recommend or can say how successful they are but they appear to be all above board. One of my fellow directors appointed them as he used them in London previously for his Kings Cross restaurant.
If you have time, I would do it myself but then again the fee is tax deductible
As a footnote and it may be down to luck (bad), we have had two inspections in two years specifically regarding our two chefs from Vietnam One from immigration and one as an audit with our accountants. This may be because of the Vietnamese issues of trafficking and slave labour that is prevalent in the UK. Obviously we had no issues but they can and do check.
Give me a shout when your up again.
Ian