J-1 Visa Hospitality Jobs
Hospitality roles in hotels, resorts, food service, and event management qualify for J-1 sponsorship through the Intern or Trainee program categories, depending on whether you're currently enrolled in a degree program or have recently graduated. Designated sponsors issue your DS-2019 and oversee your structured training plan throughout the placement.
See All Hospitality JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 162+ Hospitality jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 162+ Hospitality jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Hospitality roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada.
Position Summary:
Hospitality Leadership Intern will serve as an essential part of the operations team by being an important point of contact with guests during cruises and various events and will provide exceptional service to the guests throughout the execution of the cruise and/or event. Interns are expected to work safely and to be dynamic in a fast-paced environment. In addition to operational responsibilities, all Interns in the company are expected to participate in learning opportunities, including company-led webinars and completing e-learning leadership development courses. Interns will support the company’s mission of creating amazing experiences for our guests.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide exceptional hospitality to guests and coworkers as prescribed in our company culture, RESPECT.
- In this rotational program, you will attain and maintain the ability to perform a variety of duties as they relate to various F&B job functions such as server assistant, host/hostess, server, bartender, event coordinator, dishwasher, guest service representative, and supervisor.
- Assist event managers, sales, and event coordinators as required. Assistance may include attending ship meetings, executing timelines, maintaining contact with vendors, writing floor plans, and maintaining communication between sales and operations.
- Maintain good relationships with various clients, vendors, and coworkers.
- Attend and run daily pre-shifts, operations meetings, and leadership meetings as directed.
- Resolve guest service issues by utilizing strong guest service skills and exercising diplomacy in keeping with company objective of guest retention.
- Ensure that staff and guests adhere to all safety standards and procedures.
- Assist with scheduling front-line staff according to the staffing matrix.
- Complete leadership development courses as assigned in Hornblower University.
- Participation in professional development sessions and workshops.
- Complete all tasks related to an internship project as determined by your departmental supervisor.
- Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas and service stations aboard the vessels.
- Be prepared to begin work at a scheduled time.
- Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
- Additional job duties assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- Must possess a service orientation – actively looking for ways to help others.
- Must earn an Associates or bachelor’s degree in Sales, Public Relations, Communications, Hospitality, Tourism Management or any Business-related field. Candidates earning their bachelor’s should preferably be in their sophomore, junior or senior year.
- Basic computer skills required, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Will work for extended periods without sitting.
- Required to lift furniture and other heavy items such as dishes up and downstairs.
- Will be required to be available for work on weekends and holidays.
- A self-starter, capable of working in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly efficient team player, with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
- Process and quality-oriented with sharp attention to detail.
The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.
EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.
INTRODUCTION
Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada.
Position Summary:
Hospitality Leadership Intern will serve as an essential part of the operations team by being an important point of contact with guests during cruises and various events and will provide exceptional service to the guests throughout the execution of the cruise and/or event. Interns are expected to work safely and to be dynamic in a fast-paced environment. In addition to operational responsibilities, all Interns in the company are expected to participate in learning opportunities, including company-led webinars and completing e-learning leadership development courses. Interns will support the company’s mission of creating amazing experiences for our guests.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide exceptional hospitality to guests and coworkers as prescribed in our company culture, RESPECT.
- In this rotational program, you will attain and maintain the ability to perform a variety of duties as they relate to various F&B job functions such as server assistant, host/hostess, server, bartender, event coordinator, dishwasher, guest service representative, and supervisor.
- Assist event managers, sales, and event coordinators as required. Assistance may include attending ship meetings, executing timelines, maintaining contact with vendors, writing floor plans, and maintaining communication between sales and operations.
- Maintain good relationships with various clients, vendors, and coworkers.
- Attend and run daily pre-shifts, operations meetings, and leadership meetings as directed.
- Resolve guest service issues by utilizing strong guest service skills and exercising diplomacy in keeping with company objective of guest retention.
- Ensure that staff and guests adhere to all safety standards and procedures.
- Assist with scheduling front-line staff according to the staffing matrix.
- Complete leadership development courses as assigned in Hornblower University.
- Participation in professional development sessions and workshops.
- Complete all tasks related to an internship project as determined by your departmental supervisor.
- Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas and service stations aboard the vessels.
- Be prepared to begin work at a scheduled time.
- Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
- Additional job duties assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- Must possess a service orientation – actively looking for ways to help others.
- Must earn an Associates or bachelor’s degree in Sales, Public Relations, Communications, Hospitality, Tourism Management or any Business-related field. Candidates earning their bachelor’s should preferably be in their sophomore, junior or senior year.
- Basic computer skills required, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Will work for extended periods without sitting.
- Required to lift furniture and other heavy items such as dishes up and downstairs.
- Will be required to be available for work on weekends and holidays.
- A self-starter, capable of working in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly efficient team player, with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
- Process and quality-oriented with sharp attention to detail.
The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.
EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.
See all 162+ Hospitality jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Hospitality roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Hospitality
Align your training plan with hospitality competencies
Before approaching any host employer, draft a structured training plan that maps your rotations across front office, food and beverage, and housekeeping. Designated sponsors require this document before issuing your DS-2019, so having it ready accelerates the process.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee eligibility early
If you're currently enrolled in a post-secondary hospitality program, you qualify as a J-1 Intern. If you graduated within the past 12 months, you fall under the Trainee category. Applying under the wrong category is a common reason designated sponsors reject DS-2019 requests.
Target hotel groups with dedicated J-1 host agreements
Large hotel brands routinely host J-1 participants under pre-existing agreements with designated sponsors, which shortens your placement timeline. Search Migrate Mate to find hospitality employers actively listing J-1-compatible roles so you can prioritize outreach to proven host organizations.
Verify wage compliance before accepting an offer
Your host employer must pay you no less than the prevailing wage for your role and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the minimum for your specific position before signing any offer letter, since underpayment can trigger program violations.
Check whether your country triggers the two-year rule
Participants from countries with exchange visitor skills list designations, or those funded by their home government, must return home for two years after J-1 status ends. USCIS publishes the skills list, and your designated sponsor must confirm whether this requirement applies before you accept a placement.
Time your DS-2019 request around seasonal hiring cycles
Hospitality employers ramp up hiring for summer and winter resort seasons months in advance. Submit your training plan and host employer confirmation to your designated sponsor at least 60 days before your intended start date to avoid processing delays that miss peak-season onboarding windows.
Hospitality jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Hospitality JobsHospitality J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers hospitality jobs?
The J-1 Intern category covers current students enrolled in post-secondary hospitality or culinary programs completing practical training. The J-1 Trainee category applies to recent graduates or hospitality professionals with at least one year of work experience seeking structured skills development in the United States. Your designated sponsor determines which category applies based on your academic status and professional background.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a hospitality placement?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or AIPT, not your hotel or restaurant employer. The host employer provides the training environment and pays your wages, while the designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 form, signs your training plan, and monitors program compliance throughout your exchange. These are two separate roles.
How can I find hospitality employers open to J-1 participants?
Not every hotel or food service company is set up to host J-1 participants, since host employers need a signed agreement with a designated sponsor and a structured training plan in place. Use Migrate Mate to search for hospitality roles specifically aligned with J-1 sponsorship, which saves you from approaching employers unfamiliar with the program's requirements.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to hospitality J-1 holders?
It depends on your country of citizenship and funding source. Nationals of countries on the DOS Exchange Visitor Skills List working in hospitality may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement after their J-1 program ends, meaning they cannot immediately change to H-1B or adjust status. USCIS and your designated sponsor can confirm whether this requirement applies to your specific situation before you begin a placement.
What documents does my host employer need to provide before the DS-2019 is issued?
Your host employer must supply a signed training plan detailing your rotation schedule and learning objectives across hospitality functions, confirmation of prevailing wage compliance verified against the OFLC Wage Search, and a host agreement with the designated sponsor. Without all three documents, the designated sponsor cannot issue your DS-2019, which delays your program start date. Gather these before your sponsor application, not after.
See which Hospitality employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Hospitality Jobs