As of July 22, 2025, the salary threshold for new applicants for a Skilled Worker visa as a chef is £41,700, with some specific exceptions for certain jobs or for those who were issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before April 4, 2024, or July 22, 2025, under transitional rules. Individuals with a CoS assigned before April 4, 2024, can apply at a lower threshold of £31,300, provided they have maintained continuous leave in the route. However, be aware that eligibility for chefs under the Skilled Worker visa is ending, with roles at RQF Level 3 to 5 being removed from the eligible list unless they are on the new Temporary Shortage List.
At CIS we often have up to £30,000 of unpaid debt.
The vast majority of establishments pay promptly and for new establishments, we take debit card details and charge after 5 weeks of a relief job or when the job is completed if before and then again after 10 weeks, which is the final bill for relief.
Another fee may be due if the chef takes a permanent job within 9 months of starting from the first CIS introduction.
The working conditions vary hugely in the establishments and almost by dint of them wanting Relief chefs, it will not be totally straightforward for the chef.
Relief works seems to suit a certain type of chef who can go in, get their head down, work away without trying to change the world, complete their time and represent themselves, their fellow chefs and CIS well.
CIS invoices on a meter system, i.e. from day one to the date completed or 10 weeks, whichever comes first, all our terms are on our website, on the front page.
In this day of dynamic pricing, think Oasis, Bruce Springsteen and some hotels which charge as much as they can extract from the market, we have chosen to keep our fees restricted for relief chefs to £70 plus VAT per week per chef placement.
The rates for the relief chefs have also remained unchanged this year.
We will see what 2026 brings after the coming Autumn and winter.
It looks like it may be a quiet winter for some.
for the best relief chefs well known to CIS there should still be work available.
michael@chefsinscotland.co.uk with any queries
Out and About 5th September
We have 43 relief chefs out from The Moffat Office that we are still charging for working in Scotland and England
We are now happy to take on new relief chefs please email CV’s to jojo@chefsinscotland.co.uk
Ian has some excellent permanent positions available if you would like to find out more please email ian@chefsinscotland.co.uk
We would love to hear where your best placement(s) have been and if you would like to share any photos
Here are some of the chefs we currently have out
Keren Tweedie has been extended at Moness Resort
Jarek Jandura finished is stint at The Dunavon taking a well deserved few days off before heading back to finish the year out at Bunchrew House Hotel
Stuart Maccoll is at The Isles Inn, Portree
Scott Bolton is back at The Bridge Hotel, Buttermere
Colin Carberry and Matt Lee are both working away in North Devon at The Rock Inn
Mark Shaw is finishing up at The Greenwood Loch Holiday Park this weekend
Barry Owrn has been extended yet again to the beginning of October at The Grant Arms where Andrew Westwwod is still also working (he has been there since 1st March)
Also still working are Ross Birrell and Michele Lorusso at The Duisdale Hotel Ross started there back at the end January
Dougie Gillies still working away at Kintail Lodge
Thanks once again for all your hard work and continued support :)
Out and About 22nd August
We have 57 relief chefs out that we are still charging for working in Scotland and England
We are now happy to take on new relief chefs please email CV’s to jojo@chefsinscotland.co.uk
Ian has some excellent permanent positions available if you would like to find out more please email ian@chefsinscotland.co.uk
We would love to hear where your best placement(s) have been and if you would like to share any photos
Here are some of the chefs we currently have out
Keren Tweedie and Stuart Jackson are both at Moness Resort
Philippe Alamichel is back at Pitbauchlie Hotel
Ionel Rizea and Monique Paul are both at Monachyle Mhor
Derrick Bartley is back at Markie Dans
Callum Phillip is at Bunchrew House Hotel
Thomas Barney is at Tontine Hotel, Peebles
Patrick Johnstone is at The Kastille
Ali Wilson is at An talla Mor, Portree
George Alexandru has been extended at Balmoral Hotel
Calom Malcolm is at the Royal Hotel, Ullapool
Ollie Rankin is at Lochshiel Hotel
Thanks once again for all your hard work and continued support :)
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