J-1 Visa Specialty Cook Jobs
Specialty Cook roles in the United States are available to exchange visitors through the J-1 Trainee or Intern program categories, depending on your career stage. Designated sponsor organizations issue the DS-2019 form that makes sponsorship possible, while the U.S. restaurant, hotel, or hospitality employer serves as your host site.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other care provider according to U.S. News & World Report. As we work together to put the needs of the patient first, we are also dedicated to our employees, investing in competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit plans – to take care of you and your family, now and in the future. And with continuing education and advancement opportunities at every turn, you can build a long, successful career with Mayo Clinic.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is temporary for approximately 12 months from date of hire.
The primary purpose of the Internship is to provide an intern with relevant field experiences in their chosen field of study. One or more mentors will be assigned to the intern to provide instruction, guidance and to assess performance. The intern is responsible for observing the functions and processes of the assigned work unit. In addition, the intern may be given selected work assignments to reinforce the learning experience, to assess the performance levels and to provide benefit to the work unit. The intern will be responsible for completing all internship-related assignments and reports for both Mayo and the participating educational facility. The duration and timing of the internship will be arranged with the intern.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The incumbent must be enrolled in a bachelors, masters or graduate degree program from a college or university. Typically, this internship would occur after the student has taken most of the courses required by the degree program.
Where applicable - the degree program must require an internship as a graduation requirement (or offer as a credit option).
EXEMPTION STATUS
Nonexempt
COMPENSATION DETAIL
This position has a predetermined rate of $25.00 per hour.
BENEFITS ELIGIBLE
No
SCHEDULE
Full Time
HOURS/PAY PERIOD
80
SCHEDULE DETAILS
Monday - Friday Days This position is 100% remote within the United States. Incumbent may be asked to come onsite for an occasional retreat.
INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENT
No
SITE DESCRIPTION
Just as our reputation has spread beyond our Minnesota roots, so have our locations. Today, our employees are located at our three major campuses in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, Jacksonville, Florida, Rochester, Minnesota, and at Mayo Clinic Health System campuses throughout Midwestern communities, and at our international locations. Each Mayo Clinic location is a special place where our employees thrive in both their work and personal lives. Learn more about what each unique Mayo Clinic campus has to offer, and where your best fit is.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status. Learn more about the "EOE is the Law". Mayo Clinic participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
RECRUITER
Shelly Weir
LOCATION
City: Rochester
State: MN
Remote: YES
Department: Information Technology
INTRODUCTION
Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other care provider according to U.S. News & World Report. As we work together to put the needs of the patient first, we are also dedicated to our employees, investing in competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit plans – to take care of you and your family, now and in the future. And with continuing education and advancement opportunities at every turn, you can build a long, successful career with Mayo Clinic.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is temporary for approximately 12 months from date of hire.
The primary purpose of the Internship is to provide an intern with relevant field experiences in their chosen field of study. One or more mentors will be assigned to the intern to provide instruction, guidance and to assess performance. The intern is responsible for observing the functions and processes of the assigned work unit. In addition, the intern may be given selected work assignments to reinforce the learning experience, to assess the performance levels and to provide benefit to the work unit. The intern will be responsible for completing all internship-related assignments and reports for both Mayo and the participating educational facility. The duration and timing of the internship will be arranged with the intern.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The incumbent must be enrolled in a bachelors, masters or graduate degree program from a college or university. Typically, this internship would occur after the student has taken most of the courses required by the degree program.
Where applicable - the degree program must require an internship as a graduation requirement (or offer as a credit option).
EXEMPTION STATUS
Nonexempt
COMPENSATION DETAIL
This position has a predetermined rate of $25.00 per hour.
BENEFITS ELIGIBLE
No
SCHEDULE
Full Time
HOURS/PAY PERIOD
80
SCHEDULE DETAILS
Monday - Friday Days This position is 100% remote within the United States. Incumbent may be asked to come onsite for an occasional retreat.
INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENT
No
SITE DESCRIPTION
Just as our reputation has spread beyond our Minnesota roots, so have our locations. Today, our employees are located at our three major campuses in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, Jacksonville, Florida, Rochester, Minnesota, and at Mayo Clinic Health System campuses throughout Midwestern communities, and at our international locations. Each Mayo Clinic location is a special place where our employees thrive in both their work and personal lives. Learn more about what each unique Mayo Clinic campus has to offer, and where your best fit is.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status. Learn more about the "EOE is the Law". Mayo Clinic participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
RECRUITER
Shelly Weir
LOCATION
City: Rochester
State: MN
Remote: YES
Department: Information Technology
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Specialty Cook
Document your culinary training program formally
Your designated sponsor requires a structured Training Plan (Form DS-7002) before issuing a DS-2019. Prepare a detailed breakdown of the kitchen rotations, techniques, and cuisine areas your host employer will cover across your placement period.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee eligibility early
The J-1 Intern category requires current enrollment in a foreign culinary or hospitality program. If you've already graduated, you qualify as a Trainee instead, which allows up to 18 months at a host site with a formal skills-development focus.
Target host employers with established exchange programs
Search for Specialty Cook openings at hotel groups, resort properties, and restaurant groups that already operate J-1 Trainee placements. Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. hospitality employers that actively host exchange visitors in culinary roles.
Verify your host employer meets DOL wage requirements
J-1 Trainees must receive the same wages as U.S. workers in comparable roles. Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the prevailing wage for Specialty Cook positions in your host city before accepting an offer, so there are no surprises at the DS-7002 stage.
Confirm the 2-year home residency rule applies to you
If your home country's government funded your training or your skills are on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, a 2-year home residency requirement applies after your J-1 ends. Check whether your country is listed on the USCIS guidance before committing to a U.S. placement.
Align your offer letter with sponsor program requirements
Designated sponsors like AIPT or Cultural Vistas review your host employer's offer letter for specifics: job duties, schedule, supervision structure, and wage. A vague letter causes delays. Ask the employer to confirm all details in writing before submitting to your sponsor.
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Find Specialty Cook JobsSpecialty Cook J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers Specialty Cook positions?
Specialty Cook roles typically fall under the J-1 Intern category if you're currently enrolled in a culinary or hospitality program abroad, or the J-1 Trainee category if you've graduated within the past 12 months or have at least one year of professional culinary experience. Trainees can stay up to 18 months; Interns are limited to 12 months. Your designated sponsor organization confirms which category you qualify for before issuing the DS-2019.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Specialty Cook role?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. Organizations like AIPT, Cultural Vistas, or InterExchange issue the DS-2019 form that authorizes your exchange visitor status. The restaurant, hotel, or food-service company where you cook is the host employer. The employer does not file visa paperwork; the designated sponsor handles all compliance obligations and DS-2019 issuance.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host a J-1 Specialty Cook?
Use Migrate Mate to search for Specialty Cook openings at U.S. hospitality employers that have experience hosting exchange visitors. Focus on hotel groups, resort properties, and multi-outlet restaurant companies, since these operations have the structured kitchen rotation programs that designated sponsors require when reviewing a Training Plan. Independent restaurants rarely have the administrative setup to satisfy sponsor documentation requirements.
Does the J-1 Trainee program require a formal training plan for kitchen roles?
Yes. Before your designated sponsor issues a DS-2019, you and your host employer must complete Form DS-7002, the Training or Internship Placement Plan. For Specialty Cook placements, this document maps out the specific culinary stations, techniques, and competencies you'll develop each month. A generic job description won't satisfy sponsor review. The plan must show a clear skills-development arc, not just a list of daily duties.
Can the 2-year home residency requirement affect a Specialty Cook on J-1?
It can. If your home country's government financed any part of your culinary education or training, or if your country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List maintained by USCIS, you're subject to the 2-year home residency requirement after your J-1 ends. This means you can't change to H-1B or most immigrant visa categories until you fulfill or receive a waiver of that obligation. Confirm your country's status with USCIS before accepting a placement.
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