Sushi Chef Jobs for OPT Students
Sushi Chef jobs on OPT are available at Japanese restaurants, hotel dining programs, and sushi bars across the U.S. Your OPT work authorization covers culinary roles, but your EAD card must be valid before your first day. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this field, so 12 months is your window.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Sushi Nakazawa was awarded a coveted perfect 4 stars from the New York Times in 2013 by Pete Wells, and also a Michelin star for the 2021-2024 guide. Sushi Nakazawa is a collaboration between restauranteur Alessandro Borgognone and Chef Daisuke Nakazawa, and serves a 21 piece Nigiri-sushi exclusive Omakase menu. Sushi Nakazawa has steadily grown as a standard of Sushi Service, both in DC and NYC.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Sushi Nakazawa, located in the heart of the federal triangle, is seeking a qualified Sushi Chef to join its team to deliver an impeccable Sushi service experience for our guests.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified Sushi Chefs will require a minimum of 3-4 years for consideration. A strong preference will be given to Chefs who have worked at Michelin Starred restaurants. Qualified Chefs will have:
- A strong skill for butchering multiple different species of fish and shellfish
- Experience preparing sushi rice
- Strong knowledge of essential ingredients related to sushi service, such as soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger
- Ability to work in a strong team focused Sushi Kitchen
Qualified candidates will work directly under Ownership and Management team.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified Candidates WILL post resume in the BODY OF THE EMAIL. No attachments will be opened. All candidates that are interested in joining, WILL SEND RESUME. No walk-in appointments will be accepted.
JOB TYPE
Job Type: Full-time
PAY
Pay: $17.00 - $35.00 per hour
EXPECTED HOURS
Expected hours: 45 per week
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
WORK LOCATION
Work Location: In person
COMPENSATION
90k-110k DOE
INTRODUCTION
Sushi Nakazawa was awarded a coveted perfect 4 stars from the New York Times in 2013 by Pete Wells, and also a Michelin star for the 2021-2024 guide. Sushi Nakazawa is a collaboration between restauranteur Alessandro Borgognone and Chef Daisuke Nakazawa, and serves a 21 piece Nigiri-sushi exclusive Omakase menu. Sushi Nakazawa has steadily grown as a standard of Sushi Service, both in DC and NYC.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Sushi Nakazawa, located in the heart of the federal triangle, is seeking a qualified Sushi Chef to join its team to deliver an impeccable Sushi service experience for our guests.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified Sushi Chefs will require a minimum of 3-4 years for consideration. A strong preference will be given to Chefs who have worked at Michelin Starred restaurants. Qualified Chefs will have:
- A strong skill for butchering multiple different species of fish and shellfish
- Experience preparing sushi rice
- Strong knowledge of essential ingredients related to sushi service, such as soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger
- Ability to work in a strong team focused Sushi Kitchen
Qualified candidates will work directly under Ownership and Management team.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified Candidates WILL post resume in the BODY OF THE EMAIL. No attachments will be opened. All candidates that are interested in joining, WILL SEND RESUME. No walk-in appointments will be accepted.
JOB TYPE
Job Type: Full-time
PAY
Pay: $17.00 - $35.00 per hour
EXPECTED HOURS
Expected hours: 45 per week
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
WORK LOCATION
Work Location: In person
COMPENSATION
90k-110k DOE
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Sushi Chef
Lead with your technical credentials upfront
Certifications in Japanese culinary arts, omakase training, or apprenticeships under recognized itamae carry real weight. List these prominently on your resume so hiring managers immediately see your specialization before considering your visa situation.
Apply before your OPT EAD expires, not after
Restaurant hiring moves fast. Start your job search at least three months before your OPT start date so your EAD is active and ready. Employers cannot legally onboard you without a valid EAD card in hand.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline
Tell hiring managers early how many months remain on your OPT. Restaurants that invest in training a sushi chef want to know their window. Clarity builds trust and opens conversations about long-term visa sponsorship sooner.
Position knife skills and fish sourcing knowledge as specialty expertise
Sushi chefs with demonstrable mastery of fish fabrication, seasonal menu development, and traditional technique are harder to replace. Framing yourself as a specialist, not just a cook, strengthens the case for future H-1B sponsorship.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers actively open to OPT
Migrate Mate filters culinary and hospitality jobs by visa sponsorship openness. Browsing roles there saves time by surfacing employers who already understand work authorization requirements and are prepared to hire international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Sushi Chef on OPT?
Yes. OPT work authorization covers culinary roles including sushi chef positions, provided the work is directly related to your field of study, such as culinary arts, hospitality, or a related program. Your EAD card must be valid on your first day of employment. Working before your EAD arrives is not permitted under F-1 regulations.
Does a Sushi Chef role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Culinary arts and hospitality programs are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, so sushi chef roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You have 12 months of post-completion OPT. Planning your job search and any visa sponsorship conversations early is important given that fixed timeline.
What visa can sponsor a Sushi Chef after OPT ends?
The O-1B visa for extraordinary ability in the arts is one realistic path for highly accomplished sushi chefs with documented recognition, awards, or media coverage. The H-2B temporary nonimmigrant worker visa is another option some restaurants use seasonally. Some chefs also explore the EB-3 employment-based green card if an employer is willing to sponsor. Consult an immigration attorney to assess which path fits your profile.
How do I find Sushi Chef jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists culinary and hospitality roles from employers who understand work authorization requirements. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and encountering rejections based on visa status alone.
Does my culinary school degree affect my OPT eligibility for Sushi Chef roles?
Yes. Your OPT employment must be directly related to your degree program. A degree in culinary arts, culinary management, or hospitality management supports a sushi chef role. If your degree is in an unrelated field, USCIS could find the position ineligible for OPT. When in doubt, ask your Designated School Official to review the connection between your degree and the role before accepting an offer.
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