The Asian Catering Federation (ACF) is urgently pressing for the Home Secretary to rethink the government’s proposed changes to the ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) rules, due to come into effect from April next year. Stating that a new ‘Earned Settlement’ model will leave thousands of top award-winning Asian chefs, skilled professionals, and business owners, in limbo, distressed, and facing financial ruin.

Since the new ‘Earned Settlement’ model was proposed in July, the distress caused by shifting the goalposts on visa applications and extending the period required by business owners and skilled professionals from 5 to 10 years, (or 15 years for those working below RQF Level 6) has been devastating, and is already triggering a mental health crisis among staff.

Rajesh Suri, Founder of the Asian Restaurant Skills Board, said: “All across the Asian food industry, I am hearing that businesses are in crisis. Not only are they struggling with high prices and tax rises but now their staff could face a further 10 years of insecurity, preventing them from fully integrating or investing in the very communities they serve.”

Many of the industry’s most skilled chefs and restaurant managers find themselves falling below the RQF Level 6 academic threshold, and as a result, they are being penalised just for choosing to hone their culinary expertise through decades of experience, rather than university degrees.

Oli Khan MBE, National  President of the Bangladesh Caterers Association-UK said “The RQF Level 6 rule is leaving many industry top chefs demoralised and businesses unable to attract and retain the specialised chefs needed to preserve culinary standards in the UK. Without these artisan chefs, who are the cornerstones of every Asian food business, the industry will lose its vibrancy and the billions it contributes to the UK economy will be hit hard.”

According to latest figures there has already been a 36% decrease in the number of immigrants granted work-related visas in the UK this year, and with these new rules expected to take effect from April 2026, this is likely to decrease even further. Nepalese Michelin star chef Binod Barel commented: “All Asian restaurants employ migrants and will be hit hard by these Home Office rule changes. The UK Asian food industry needs to be able to attract skilled chefs from overseas who understand true, authentic, artisan cookery, otherwise their talent will go elsewhere.”

Yawar Khan, Chair of the Asian Catering Federation that represents over 30,000 businesses in the UK added:

“Taking away our skilled workforce or demoralizing them to the point of departure is akin to removing the ventilator from a patient in recovery.

The Asian Catering Federation and its members support a strong, fair and efficient immigration system however, without policies that protect commitment, skills and contribution, the heartbeat of our industry will stop beating.”

With the Home Office’s consultation due to close in February 2026 and the changes due to be implemented from April 2026, the Asian Catering Federation’s asks are clear:

• The ACF is asking the government for fairness, stability, and assurance that there will be no retrospective changes to current ILR applications from the new ‘Earned Settlement’ rules.
• That skilled chefs and managers are not penalized because their roles are classified below RQF Level 6 and end up with a 15 year-long route to remain.
• That the government honour the 5-year pathway that the hard-working Asian catering community who comply with all laws, pay their taxes and serve their communities, signed up for.
• That the government engage with the Asian Catering Federation and its network to ensure that policy reflects the reality of the British hospitality sector.

Lutfur Rahman, Immigration Adviser and CEO of Work Permit Cloud adds: “Having worked in immigration practice for over two decades, I have seen how sudden policy shifts can destabilise lawful, hard-working communities. The Asian catering sector has always complied with UK laws, paid its taxes, and contributed enormously to the economy. Removing the 5-year settlement pathway for skilled workers already in the UK and replacing it with a much longer route that disadvantages those without academic qualifications is deeply unfair and risks being unlawful.

This approach repeats the mistakes of past rule changes, where workers and businesses were left in uncertainty. The Home Office must engage meaningfully with the Asian Catering Federation to understand the real-world impact these Earned Settlement proposals will have on an industry already under immense pressure.”

The Asian food sector in the UK employs over 100,000 people and contributes more than £7.5 billion to the UK economy each year. Almost a third of the sector are members of the Asian Catering Federation, which strives to deliver real returns for its members and have their voices heard.