A chef's visa almost always starts with an employer. That makes the job search the real application: once a restaurant or hotel group with a sponsor licence wants you, the visa follows its own process.
Employer Routes for Chefs, Ranked by Path to PR
These work routes record no degree requirement. They are ranked by how quickly they lead to permanent residence, which varies more than people expect.
| # | Programme | Permanent residence | Salary floor | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic Immigration ProgramCanada | Permanent on grant | None set | 6–12 months |
| 2 | Non-Immigrant Visa "B" (Business and Work)Thailand | About 3 years | None set | 0–1 months |
| 3 | Accredited Employer Work VisaNew Zealand | About 3 years | None set | 2–4 months |
| 4 | General Employment PermitIreland | About 5 years | EUR 36,605/yr (≈ $41,949/yr) | 2–5 months |
| 5 | Subordinate Work Visa (Decreto Flussi)Italy | About 5 years | None set | 2–6 months |
| 6 | B Permit (Resident Foreign Nationals) for Third-State NationalsSwitzerland | About 10 years | None set | 2–6 months |
| 7 | Standard Work Visa (Employer-Sponsored)United Arab Emirates | No direct path | None set | 1–2 months |
Which country is best for chefs?
The UK: Chefs Are Listed, With a Catch
The UK's eligible occupations list includes chefs (code 5434), but classes them as Medium Skilled, and cooks (5435) as ineligible. That classification decides whether, and on what terms, a chef can use the Skilled Worker Visa, so check what it allows for a new application before you plan around the UK.
Australia
Australia's Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) is recorded in our data with a bachelor's-level education floor, so we have left it out of the ranking above. Check the programme page and the occupation list for your role before you rule it in or out.
Hospitality Demand
Transita holds verified labour-market snapshots for a small set of countries. This is what they say about hospitality.
| Country | Demand | Trend | Median pay | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | high | growing | USD 35,000 | BLS · OEWS + JOLTS (2026-Q1) |
| Australia | moderate | growing | AUD 60,000 | ABS · Jobs and Skills Australia (2026-Q1) |
Opening Your Own Restaurant
If you would rather run a kitchen than work in one, self-employment and founder routes replace the job offer with a business plan and funds.
| # | Programme | Permanent residence | Processing | Gov. fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Innovator Founder VisaUnited Kingdom | About 3 years | 3–6 months | $1,580 |
| 2 | D2 Entrepreneur VisaPortugal | About 5 years | 3–6 months | $200 |
| 3 | Self-Employed Worker Visa (Cuenta Propia)Spain | About 5 years | 3–6 months | $220 |
| 4 | Self-Employment / Business VisaGermany | About 5 years | 4–10 months | $110 |
| 5 | E-2 Treaty InvestorUnited States | No direct path | 2–6 months | $460 |
For the other routes that skip the degree, see our guide to emigrating without a degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is best for chefs to immigrate to?
For a path to permanent residence without a degree, employer routes such as Canada's Atlantic Immigration Program and New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa lead. Both need a job offer from an approved employer.
Can chefs get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Chefs (occupation code 5434) appear on the UK's eligible occupations list, but classed as Medium Skilled rather than Higher Skilled, and cooks (5435) are listed as ineligible. Medium Skilled is not the same as Higher Skilled, so check what that classification allows for a new application before you rely on this route.
Do chefs need a degree to work abroad?
Not on most routes chefs use. The employer routes in this guide record no degree requirement; what they test is the job offer, and often the wage or skill level of the role.
Can I move abroad to open my own restaurant?
Yes, on a self-employment or founder route, such as Spain's Self-Employed Worker Visa (Cuenta Propia). These ask for a business plan and funds instead of a job offer.
Related guides
Find the kitchens that can sponsor you
Transita matches your experience against every employer route here and shows which countries let a chef settle for good. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceofficial sources: AIP · canada.ca·Non-B · mfa.go.th·AEWV · immigration.govt.nz·GEP · enterprise.gov.ie·Decreto Flussi · interno.gov.it·B Permit (Third-State) · sem.admin.ch·Work Residence Visa · u.ae·Innovator Founder · gov.uk·D2 · vistos.mne.gov.pt·Trabajo por Cuenta Propia · inclusion.gob.es·§21 AufenthG · make-it-in-germany.com·E-2 · uscis.gov