Assistant Chef Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Assistant chef roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a culinary arts degree, though many kitchens rely on H-2B visa for seasonal hires instead. Knowing which visa fits your employer's timeline and your credentials is the first decision you'll need to make.

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Overview

Open Jobs7+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type100% On-site
Top LocationOrlando, FL
Most JobsMarriott International

Showing 5 of 7+ Assistant Chef jobs

Assistant Sous Chef
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Added 2w ago
Assistant Sous Chef
Marriott International
Orlando, Florida
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Hospitality Management
$26 - $32/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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Assistant Chef Concierge
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Added 3w ago
Assistant Chef Concierge
Four Seasons
New York, New York
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
Hospitality Management
$43 - $47/hr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Assistant Pastry Chef
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Added 1mo ago
Assistant Pastry Chef
Legacy Hospitality
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Food Service
Chefs & Cooks
On-Site
None

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Oyster Bar Assistant Room Chef
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Added 1mo ago
Oyster Bar Assistant Room Chef
Station Casinos
Las Vegas, Nevada
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Hospitality Management
On-Site
None
5,001-10,000

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Assistant Pastry Chef
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Added 4mo ago
Assistant Pastry Chef
Rolling Hills Country Club
Rolling Hills Estates, California
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Chefs & Cooks
Hospitality Management
On-Site
High School
11-50

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Tips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Assistant Chef

Verify your culinary credential meets requirements

An H-1B for an assistant chef requires the role to qualify as a specialty occupation. Pull the O*NET profile to confirm whether your employer's job description requires a bachelor's degree in culinary arts specifically, not just any degree.

Target hotel groups and resort operators

Large hospitality groups with multi-property operations file H-2B and H-1B petitions far more regularly than independent restaurants. Focus your search on convention hotels, cruise-adjacent resorts, and casino food and beverage departments with dedicated HR teams.

Distinguish H-2B from H-1B before applying

H-2B covers temporary or seasonal kitchen roles and has a 66,000 annual cap. H-1B requires a specialty occupation. Ask hiring managers which category their previous sponsored hires used before accepting any offer involving a visa petition.

Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsors

Search Migrate Mate's job board to identify employers with verified sponsorship filing history in food service and hospitality. This saves time you'd otherwise spend cold-applying to kitchens that have never filed a petition.

Get your credentials evaluated before the offer stage

If your culinary training is from outside the U.S., have a credential evaluation completed before you receive a formal offer. USCIS requires the degree equivalency to be established upfront, and delays here can hold up an LCA filing.

Confirm the employer meets prevailing wage before signing

Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for your role and location. Run your job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before signing an offer letter so you're not surprised after the LCA is submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an assistant chef role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?

It depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS requires a specialty occupation, meaning the role must normally require a bachelor's degree in culinary arts or a closely related field. Assistant chef roles at high-end restaurants or institutional employers with formal culinary degree requirements have a stronger case than general prep kitchen positions.

Is H-2B a realistic path for assistant chefs?

Yes, especially for seasonal or temporary roles. H-2B covers non-agricultural temporary workers, and many resorts, event venues, and seasonal restaurants use it to fill kitchen positions. The employer must demonstrate a temporary need and go through DOL labor certification. The 66,000 annual cap fills quickly, so employers typically file early in the federal fiscal year.

What visa sponsorship options exist for assistant chefs without a culinary degree?

Without a qualifying degree, H-1B is generally off the table. H-2B remains an option if the role is temporary or seasonal and your employer can document the need. Some candidates with significant documented work experience may qualify under a three-for-one experience substitution, but this requires careful documentation and employer willingness to build the case through PERM.

How do I find employers who have sponsored assistant chef roles before?

Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship filing history in hospitality and food service, so you can focus your applications on kitchens that have already navigated the process. This is especially useful for filtering out restaurants that express interest in sponsorship but have never actually filed a petition.

Does my culinary school training from outside the U.S. count toward visa eligibility?

Foreign culinary credentials can count, but they must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation service to establish U.S. degree equivalency. USCIS will assess whether your training is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in culinary arts. A three-year diploma from a recognized international culinary institute may qualify, but this varies by institution and evaluator.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Assistant Chef jobs?

U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.