Hiring and Sponsoring Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors (SOC Code 1222)

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Restaurants and catering businesses across the UK regularly need skilled managers to keep operations running smoothly, maintain food quality, and lead front-of-house and back-of-house teams. When no suitable settled worker is available, sponsoring an overseas national under SOC Code 1222 - Restaurant and Catering Establishment Managers and Proprietors - is a recognised route. This guide explains the role, the sponsorship requirements, and what UK employers need to do to hire compliantly.

For related support, explore Annaizu’s sponsorship compliance software, mock audit inspection readiness and mock audit preparation.

For 2026 checks, cross-check the latest GOV.UK 2026 immigration fees before making sponsorship or visa decisions.

Key Takeaways

Essential Points for Employers

• SOC Code 1222 covers restaurant managers, catering managers, and catering establishment proprietors.
• Employers must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship.
• The role must meet the minimum salary threshold and skill level set by the Home Office.
• A Resident Labour Market Test is no longer required, but the role must be genuine and appropriate to the SOC code.
• Sponsored workers must be paid at least the going rate for SOC 1222 or the general salary threshold, whichever is higher.

What Is SOC Code 1222?

SOC Code 1222 - Restaurant and Catering Establishment Managers and Proprietors - covers individuals who plan, organise, and coordinate the resources and operations of restaurants, cafes, canteens, and other catering establishments. This includes managing staff, overseeing food and beverage quality, controlling budgets, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and health and safety regulations.

Typical Job Titles Under SOC 1222

• Restaurant Manager
• Catering Manager
• Food and Beverage Manager
• Café Manager
• Canteen Manager
• Banqueting Manager
• Catering Establishment Proprietor

What These Roles Involve

Workers in this category typically take responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day running of a catering establishment. Their duties usually include recruiting and managing staff, planning menus in liaison with kitchen teams, setting and monitoring budgets, maintaining food hygiene standards, and ensuring a high standard of customer service throughout the establishment.

Sponsoring a Worker Under SOC 1222

Step 1: Obtain a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence

Before you can hire an overseas worker for this role, your business must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. If you do not yet have a licence, you will need to apply through the UK Visas and Immigration portal and demonstrate that your business is genuine, operates lawfully in the UK, and has appropriate HR systems in place to meet sponsor duties.

Step 2: Confirm the Role Is Eligible

The position must genuinely correspond to the duties and responsibilities set out under SOC Code 1222. The Home Office may scrutinise roles in hospitality and catering closely, so it is important that the job description accurately reflects managerial responsibilities rather than supervisory or operative tasks that fall under a different SOC code.

Step 3: Meet the Salary Requirements

Sponsored workers must be paid the higher of the general Skilled Worker salary threshold or the going rate for SOC 1222. Employers should check the latest salary tables published by the Home Office, as these are updated periodically. As of the most recent guidance, the general threshold for Skilled Worker visas is £41,700 per year, though transitional arrangements may apply in some cases.

Step 4: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship

Once you have confirmed eligibility and salary compliance, you must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the worker through the Sponsor Management System. The CoS includes details of the role, the salary, and the start date. The worker then uses the CoS reference number as part of their visa application.

Step 5: Carry Out Right to Work Checks

Even after a visa is granted, employers must conduct and record a right to work check before the worker begins employment. For sponsored workers, this typically involves checking the visa vignette or using the Home Office online checking service to confirm the worker has the right to work in the role you have sponsored them for.

Sponsor Duties and Ongoing Compliance

Holding a sponsor licence comes with ongoing responsibilities. Failure to meet these duties can result in licence suspension, downgrading, or revocation, which would affect your ability to employ sponsored workers and could trigger a review of existing sponsored staff.

Key Ongoing Sponsor Duties

• Record and report changes to the sponsored worker's role, salary, or working hours using the Sponsor Management System.
• Notify the Home Office if a sponsored worker does not show up for their first day of work.
• Keep copies of relevant documents including passports, visas, and contact details.
• Conduct regular right to work checks for all sponsored employees.
• Report any concerns about a sponsored worker's immigration status or compliance.
• Cooperate fully with any Home Office audit or inspection.

Immigration Routes Available for SOC 1222 Workers

Skilled Worker Visa

The primary route for sponsoring a restaurant or catering manager from overseas is the Skilled Worker visa. This route requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a CoS, and the worker meeting English language and salary requirements. The visa can be granted for up to five years and leads to eligibility for settlement after five years of continuous residence.

Global Business Mobility Routes

If the worker is being transferred from an overseas branch of the same business, the Senior or Specialist Worker route under Global Business Mobility may be relevant. However, this route has its own requirements and is typically used for senior-level transfers rather than frontline management roles.

Graduate Visa

Some candidates may already be in the UK on a Graduate visa following completion of a UK degree. Employers can hire Graduate visa holders without sponsoring them, provided the role and salary are appropriate. However, Graduate visa holders cannot extend their stay in this capacity indefinitely and will eventually need to switch to a Skilled Worker visa if they wish to remain in the UK long-term.

Common Challenges When Sponsoring Under SOC 1222

Role Genuineness Concerns

The Home Office pays close attention to whether roles in hospitality genuinely require a skilled manager as opposed to a more junior worker. It is important that the job description clearly sets out management responsibilities such as budget oversight, staff management, and operational decision-making, rather than day-to-day service tasks.

Salary Threshold Compliance

Some smaller restaurants and catering businesses may find it difficult to meet the minimum salary requirements for the Skilled Worker route. It is essential to check current thresholds before proceeding, as assigning a CoS at below the required salary can result in a visa refusal and potential compliance action against the sponsor.

Licence Readiness

Many hospitality businesses apply for a sponsor licence for the first time when they have an urgent need to fill a role. Licence applications typically take eight weeks to process, though priority processing is available for an additional fee. Planning ahead is advisable to avoid gaps in your management team.

Advertising the Role Before Sponsoring

Although the formal Resident Labour Market Test was abolished under the current Skilled Worker rules, employers are still expected to be able to demonstrate that the role is genuine and that a sponsored worker is being hired on merit. Advertising the role through appropriate channels and keeping records of the recruitment process is good practice and can support your position in the event of a Home Office compliance visit.

Recommended Advertising Channels

• Find a Job (the government's official job-matching service)
• Industry-specific job boards such as Caterer.com or Hospitality Jobs UK
• LinkedIn and professional networking platforms
• Your own company website

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SOC Code 1222?

SOC Code 1222 is the Standard Occupational Classification code for Restaurant and Catering Establishment Managers and Proprietors. It covers individuals who manage and coordinate the operations of restaurants, cafes, canteens, and similar catering businesses in the UK.

Can I sponsor a restaurant manager from overseas?

Yes. Provided your business holds a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence and the role meets the eligibility and salary requirements, you can sponsor an overseas worker as a restaurant or catering manager under SOC Code 1222.

What salary do I need to pay a sponsored worker under SOC 1222?

You must pay the higher of the general Skilled Worker salary threshold or the going rate for SOC 1222 as published by the Home Office. Always check the most up-to-date salary tables before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship, as thresholds are reviewed regularly.

How long does it take to get a sponsor licence?

Standard sponsor licence applications typically take around eight weeks to process. A priority service is available for an additional fee, which can reduce processing time significantly. You cannot assign a Certificate of Sponsorship until your licence has been granted.

Do I still need to advertise the role before sponsoring someone?

The formal Resident Labour Market Test no longer applies under the current Skilled Worker rules. However, advertising the role and keeping recruitment records remains good practice and can support your compliance position during a Home Office audit.

What happens if my sponsored worker leaves or changes role?

You must report any significant changes to a sponsored worker's employment - including a change of role, salary reduction, or cessation of employment - through the Sponsor Management System. Failure to report such changes is a breach of your sponsor duties and can result in compliance action.

Can a restaurant manager on a Graduate visa switch