J-1 Visa Restaurant Jobs
Restaurant positions in the United States are available to international workers through the J-1 Trainee and Intern program categories, which require sponsorship from a U.S. Department of State-designated organization. Host employers range from independent bistros to hotel groups, but the designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 and oversees your training plan.
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Description
The Restaurant Server is responsible for the following:
- Providing fast and courteous service of food and beverages to members and ensure quality of food and beverage presentation per established standards.
- Alert management of any service and/or safety issues. Make appropriate service recovery gestures according to established guidelines in order to ensure total member satisfaction.
- Prepare food and beverages for service to club members and present food according to established health and presentation standards.
- Greet all members and take beverage and food orders in a prompt and professional manner.
- Clear and clean tables in a prompt and efficient manner. Clean and/or wipe down tables, chairs, walls, windows, mirrors, and floors as necessary.
- Perform side-work, and any other opening or closing duties as required. Ensure that wait staff stations are clean and maintained throughout shift.
- May assist with other duties as assigned. The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be ALL responsibilities or qualifications of the job.
Requirements
- Basic reading and writing.
- Food service experience with general knowledge of restaurant operations.
- Constant walking and standing.
- Handling food objects; plates, trays, glasses, etc.
- Bending, stooping, kneeling.
Other
- Communication skills are utilized a significant amount of time when interacting with members, wait staff, cooks, and supervisor.
- Alcohol awareness certification and/or food service permit or valid health/food handler card as required by local or state government agency.
- Reading and writing abilities are utilized often when taking orders, completing paperwork, etc.
- Basic math skills are frequently used when handling cash and credit.
- May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
Pay Rate: $20 per hour
Please note, we have a no tipping policy.
At Jonathan Club, our values of Family, Community, Wellness, Respect, and Passion are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our members by providing an extraordinary experience at both the Town and Beach clubhouses. Embracing diversity of interests, friendships, and community outreach, we are committed to creating a welcoming environment that fosters lifelong connections.
Jonathan Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation/Veteran. Jonathan Club will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for hiring.
JOB DETAILS
Description
The Restaurant Server is responsible for the following:
- Providing fast and courteous service of food and beverages to members and ensure quality of food and beverage presentation per established standards.
- Alert management of any service and/or safety issues. Make appropriate service recovery gestures according to established guidelines in order to ensure total member satisfaction.
- Prepare food and beverages for service to club members and present food according to established health and presentation standards.
- Greet all members and take beverage and food orders in a prompt and professional manner.
- Clear and clean tables in a prompt and efficient manner. Clean and/or wipe down tables, chairs, walls, windows, mirrors, and floors as necessary.
- Perform side-work, and any other opening or closing duties as required. Ensure that wait staff stations are clean and maintained throughout shift.
- May assist with other duties as assigned. The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be ALL responsibilities or qualifications of the job.
Requirements
- Basic reading and writing.
- Food service experience with general knowledge of restaurant operations.
- Constant walking and standing.
- Handling food objects; plates, trays, glasses, etc.
- Bending, stooping, kneeling.
Other
- Communication skills are utilized a significant amount of time when interacting with members, wait staff, cooks, and supervisor.
- Alcohol awareness certification and/or food service permit or valid health/food handler card as required by local or state government agency.
- Reading and writing abilities are utilized often when taking orders, completing paperwork, etc.
- Basic math skills are frequently used when handling cash and credit.
- May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
Pay Rate: $20 per hour
Please note, we have a no tipping policy.
At Jonathan Club, our values of Family, Community, Wellness, Respect, and Passion are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our members by providing an extraordinary experience at both the Town and Beach clubhouses. Embracing diversity of interests, friendships, and community outreach, we are committed to creating a welcoming environment that fosters lifelong connections.
Jonathan Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation/Veteran. Jonathan Club will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for hiring.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Restaurant
Build a training plan before applying
Designated sponsors require a detailed training plan before issuing your DS-2019. Document the specific restaurant skills you'll develop each month, such as line cooking techniques, front-of-house service standards, or kitchen management, so the sponsor can verify your program has structured learning objectives.
Confirm your category matches your status
Current culinary or hospitality students typically qualify for the Intern category, while graduates with at least one year of industry experience qualify for Trainee. Applying under the wrong category delays your DS-2019 issuance, so verify your eligibility with the designated sponsor before the host employer submits paperwork.
Target host employers with prior J-1 experience
Restaurant groups that have hosted J-1 participants before already understand the host employer agreement and training plan requirements. Search Migrate Mate to find U.S. restaurant and hospitality roles at employers familiar with J-1 sponsorship structures, which shortens negotiation time significantly.
Negotiate the training plan with your host employer
Your host restaurant must co-sign the training plan that the designated sponsor reviews. Confirm the plan covers rotations through multiple stations or service areas, because sponsors flag programs that resemble standard employment rather than structured professional development in food service.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
Some J-1 participants in Trainee and Intern categories are subject to a two-year home-country residency requirement before changing to most other U.S. visa statuses. Check whether your country of nationality or funding source triggers this rule before accepting a host offer, since a waiver application can take six to twelve months.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before your start date
Your host restaurant must be enrolled in E-Verify to legally verify your work authorization under the J-1 program. Ask the employer to confirm active E-Verify enrollment during the offer stage, not after, because unenrolled hosts can disrupt your program start date.
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Find Restaurant JobsRestaurant J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers restaurant and food service roles?
Restaurant roles typically fall under the J-1 Intern or Trainee category. The Intern category applies to current culinary or hospitality students and recent graduates within 12 months of graduation. The Trainee category applies to professionals with a degree plus at least one year of relevant experience, or five years of work experience in food service without a degree.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a restaurant job?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the restaurant itself. Organizations such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, and AIPT issue the DS-2019, review your training plan, and monitor program compliance. The restaurant is the host employer, meaning it provides the training environment and co-signs the training plan, but it does not control your visa status.
How do I find U.S. restaurants that are open to hosting J-1 participants?
Migrate Mate lets you search for restaurant and hospitality roles at U.S. employers that are familiar with international work authorization programs, making it easier to identify host employers before you approach a designated sponsor. Focusing on hotel groups, resort properties, and multi-location restaurant operators often yields better results, as these employers tend to have HR infrastructure already aligned with structured training programs.
Can a restaurant hire me directly without a designated sponsor?
No. A restaurant cannot issue a J-1 visa on its own. The host employer must partner with a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, which reviews and approves the training plan, issues the DS-2019 form, and remains legally responsible for program oversight throughout your placement. Without a designated sponsor, there is no J-1 status to activate.
What happens to my J-1 status if the restaurant closes or ends my program early?
If your host restaurant terminates your program before the DS-2019 end date, your designated sponsor must be notified immediately. You typically have a 30-day grace period to depart the United States or transfer to a new host employer under the same or a new sponsor. Failing to notify the sponsor triggers a SEVIS record update that affects your immigration history.
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