Claude Bosi, who runs the two Michelin-starred Bibendum in Chelsea, has had his application for permanent UK residency rejected by the Home Office despite having lived in England for 23 years.
The Lyon-born, London-based chef was told last week his application for a document certifying his permanent residency in the UK after Brexit has been refused.
According to the Evening Standard, Bosi’s application for EU settled status was rejected as he failed to provide enough P60 forms to prove he had lived in the UK continuously for at least five years.
Yet the same letter recognises that he has been self employed in the UK since 1997.
“It was very upsetting to receive that letter. I’ve got a wife and three kids, and have been here for 23 years, it’s not like I’ve just arrived. I can’t afford just to decide to leave,” Bosi told the Evening Standard.
“It’s like as long as you’ve been here and as hard as you’ve been working and as much as you love the country you’re just not welcome,” he added.
The chef has 14 days to reapply for permanent UK residency after Brexit, and in the meantime, his future in London lies in the balance.
Bosi took to Instagram last Friday to announce the news and post a photo of his letter from the Home Office. In the post he asked UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, whether he’d done something wrong.
The UK is due to leave the European Union on 31 January. Prior to Bibendum, Bosi held two Michelin stars at Hibiscus restaurant in Mayfair, which closed in 2016.
Bosi cut his culinary teeth working alongside Alain Ducasse at Restaurant Alain Ducasse and Alain Passard at L’Arpège. His original Hibiscus site opened in Ludlow in Shropshire in 2000.
