Occupation guide
Migrate as a Hospitality Worker
Chances are you have served guests from all over the world and wondered what working in their countries is like. Hospitality workers, including chefs, cooks, waiting and bar staff, hotel receptionists and housekeepers, are in constant demand as tourism and dining rebound worldwide.
Demand for hospitality workers
Many countries offer employer-sponsored routes and seasonal schemes, and skilled roles such as chefs frequently sit on official shortage lists that unlock faster processing and lower thresholds.
Post-pandemic staffing gaps have left hotels, restaurants and resorts across Europe, the Gulf and Australasia short of both skilled and entry-level workers. Chefs in particular appear on shortage occupation lists in the UK, Australia and Germany, while the UAE and Gulf states recruit heavily for luxury hotels ahead of major tourism and events targets. Employers increasingly sponsor overseas staff and fund relocation to fill roles they cannot recruit for locally.
Best countries for hospitality workers
Real visa routes, real demand, local pay.
Australia
- Visa route
- Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) / Working Holiday (417/462)
- Salary range
- AUD $60,000 to $85,000
- Why go
- Chefs and cooks sit on the Core Skills Occupation List, so employers can sponsor them on the subclass 482. Backpackers can also enter hospitality work through the Working Holiday visa, and regional work can count toward permanent residence.
United Kingdom
- Visa route
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Salary range
- £31,000 to £45,000
- Why go
- Skilled chefs can be sponsored on the Skilled Worker route by hotels and restaurant groups. Demand is strong in London and tourist regions, and the visa is a recognised path to settlement after five years.
United Arab Emirates
- Visa route
- Employment (Work) Permit, MoHRE
- Salary range
- AED 36,000 to AED 90,000 (plus accommodation)
- Why go
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi's luxury hotels recruit hospitality staff globally, usually with employer-provided housing, flights and tax-free pay. Contracts and visas are typically arranged before arrival, making it one of the most accessible destinations.
Germany
- Visa route
- Skilled Worker Visa (Skilled Immigration Act)
- Salary range
- €28,000 to €42,000
- Why go
- A recognised cooking or hospitality qualification opens the Skilled Worker route, and cities and Alpine resort regions face persistent staff shortages. The Opportunity Card also lets qualified workers arrive to seek a job.
What you need
- Relevant hospitality experience (typically 1 to 3 years for skilled roles such as chef, cook or supervisor)
- A job offer from a licensed sponsor or employer for most work-visa routes
- English or local-language proficiency (IELTS/PTE for the UK and Australia; German A2 to B1 for Germany)
- A recognised vocational or trade qualification for skilled roles (e.g. chef diploma or culinary certificate)
- Clean criminal record check and valid passport
- Meeting the relevant salary threshold and, where applicable, a skills assessment
Exams and assessments
- IELTS or PTE Academic (UK, Australia) / Goethe or telc German A2 to B1 (Germany)
- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) skills assessment for chefs and cooks
- Food Safety / Food Hygiene certification (e.g. Level 2 Food Hygiene, HACCP)
- Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) for bar and waiting roles in Australia
- Recognised culinary qualification (City & Guilds, NVQ, or IHK Ausbildung recognition in Germany)
FAQs
Do I need formal qualifications to migrate as a hospitality worker?
For skilled roles such as chef or restaurant supervisor, most countries want a relevant qualification plus experience, and Australia requires a TRA skills assessment. Entry-level roles like waiting or housekeeping are more often filled through working-holiday visas, seasonal schemes or Gulf employer sponsorship, where hands-on experience matters more than certificates.
Which country is easiest for hospitality workers to move to?
The UAE is often the most accessible, as Dubai and Abu Dhabi hotels recruit overseas staff directly and arrange the work permit, housing and flights before you arrive. Australia and the UK offer stronger long-term settlement prospects but require a sponsoring employer or a working-holiday visa first.
Can I get permanent residence as a hospitality worker?
Yes in several countries. UK Skilled Worker time counts toward settlement after five years, Australian sponsorship and regional work can lead to permanent residence, and Germany's Skilled Worker route leads to settlement. Gulf states such as the UAE generally offer renewable contracts rather than permanent residence.
How much can I earn as a hospitality worker abroad?
Pay varies widely by role and country. Skilled chefs earn around £31,000 to £45,000 in the UK and AUD $60,000 to $85,000 in Australia, while the UAE offers tax-free packages of roughly AED 36,000 to AED 90,000 a year, usually with free accommodation and flights on top.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and rules change often. Always confirm the current requirements on the official government website for your destination. How we research & source our guides.
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