Cook Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Cook jobs with visa sponsorship are rare but real, concentrated in hotels, resorts, and restaurant groups large enough to absorb H-2B visa or permanent residence filing costs. Most openings are temporary or seasonal. Full-time, year-round roles that support a green card through PERM are the exception and require documented culinary credentials.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation:
Sioux Center Health
Worker Type:
Regular
Work Shift:
Day/Evening/Weekend/Holiday Shift (United States of America)
Discover a Career of Faith and Healing: For over 70 years, Sioux Center Health has served patients with Jesus’ healing ministry. With eight locations located in Sioux Center, Iowa and surrounding communities, we take great pride in providing superior care in our state-of-the-art facilities.
A Career that You Will Love: There’s no other way to say it: You will love working here. Between our strong mission and our great people, we have nurtured a pretty exceptional culture at Sioux Center Health.
A Chance to Make a Difference: Working with us means making a real difference in the lives of our community members. Your talents and your passions are truly appreciated here. In addition to the service we provide, Sioux Center Health also supports our community with sponsored programs and events, and other volunteer work. If this is your passion, you need to consider joining our team driven to provide quality care and services within a caring Christian culture.
Position Highlights:
At Sioux Center Health, our people are the heart of everything we do. Guided by a strong mission and a commitment to exceptional care, we've built a stable, thriving organization where employees make a meaningful difference. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in the recognition we have earned. Sioux Center Health has been named a Top Workplace in Iowa, received Best of the Northwest honors in 13 categories—including Best Place to Work—and earned a Five-Star Patient Survey Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We have also been recognized as a Chartis Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and Top Hospital in Iowa. Our Care Center has received the LeadingAge Excellence in Workplace Award, reflecting our commitment to creating a positive environment for both residents and employees. Beyond our organization, you'll find an outstanding community to call home. Sioux County was ranked #4 in the nation among the Healthiest Communities by U.S. News & World Report and CVS Health, reflecting the high quality of life and strong community values that make this region a great place to live, work, and grow.
This position is eligible for a $10,000 Retention Bonus for Full Time.
Summary
The Head Cook provides quality and appetizing, prepared and presented menu items for patient/resident, employee/visitor, and catered meals. Provides exceptional care and service to patients, residents, guests and fellow employees at all times. Provides training and leadership to other cooks and staff in the neighborhoods. This position also performs numerous food service activities to meet cleanliness standards and regulations.
Education and/or Experience
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certificate, Licenses, Registrations
This position requires a valid driver’s license and must carry their own automobile liability insurance.
Essential Functions
- Is responsible for being the head cook for the specific meal/meals of their shift.
- Provides training and leadership to other cooks and staff in the neighborhoods.
- Prepares various menu items keeping the ingredients and finished items within proper temperature ranges for food safety.
- Prepares foods according to IDDSI standards and resident diet plan. Prepares meats and casseroles bringing them to proper temperatures for food safety.
- Cools down leftovers properly to reach appropriate temperatures within specified timeframe.
- Labels and dates all ingredients and food items.
- Maintains overall kitchen cleaning list duties assigned to self and staff. Uses leftovers cost effectively, wisely and safely. Discards any outdates or questionable items.
- Monitors temperatures of freezers and refrigerators when going in and out of them daily and report any problems to the Supervisor.
- Assist the manager and assistant managers in training new cooks/staff in food sanitation and kitchen safety. Serves as resource and support to the neighborhoods.
- Assists assistant supervisors in checking in and putting away freight.
- Uses food service chemicals for safety and effectiveness. Knowledge of location and use of Material Safety Data sheets.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Online Privacy Policy:
At Avera, we are committed to protecting your online privacy. For more information, please visit https://www.avera.org/legal-notices/online-privacy-policy/
Location:
Sioux Center Health
Worker Type:
Regular
Work Shift:
Day/Evening/Weekend/Holiday Shift (United States of America)
Discover a Career of Faith and Healing: For over 70 years, Sioux Center Health has served patients with Jesus’ healing ministry. With eight locations located in Sioux Center, Iowa and surrounding communities, we take great pride in providing superior care in our state-of-the-art facilities.
A Career that You Will Love: There’s no other way to say it: You will love working here. Between our strong mission and our great people, we have nurtured a pretty exceptional culture at Sioux Center Health.
A Chance to Make a Difference: Working with us means making a real difference in the lives of our community members. Your talents and your passions are truly appreciated here. In addition to the service we provide, Sioux Center Health also supports our community with sponsored programs and events, and other volunteer work. If this is your passion, you need to consider joining our team driven to provide quality care and services within a caring Christian culture.
Position Highlights:
At Sioux Center Health, our people are the heart of everything we do. Guided by a strong mission and a commitment to exceptional care, we've built a stable, thriving organization where employees make a meaningful difference. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in the recognition we have earned. Sioux Center Health has been named a Top Workplace in Iowa, received Best of the Northwest honors in 13 categories—including Best Place to Work—and earned a Five-Star Patient Survey Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We have also been recognized as a Chartis Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and Top Hospital in Iowa. Our Care Center has received the LeadingAge Excellence in Workplace Award, reflecting our commitment to creating a positive environment for both residents and employees. Beyond our organization, you'll find an outstanding community to call home. Sioux County was ranked #4 in the nation among the Healthiest Communities by U.S. News & World Report and CVS Health, reflecting the high quality of life and strong community values that make this region a great place to live, work, and grow.
This position is eligible for a $10,000 Retention Bonus for Full Time.
Summary
The Head Cook provides quality and appetizing, prepared and presented menu items for patient/resident, employee/visitor, and catered meals. Provides exceptional care and service to patients, residents, guests and fellow employees at all times. Provides training and leadership to other cooks and staff in the neighborhoods. This position also performs numerous food service activities to meet cleanliness standards and regulations.
Education and/or Experience
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certificate, Licenses, Registrations
This position requires a valid driver’s license and must carry their own automobile liability insurance.
Essential Functions
- Is responsible for being the head cook for the specific meal/meals of their shift.
- Provides training and leadership to other cooks and staff in the neighborhoods.
- Prepares various menu items keeping the ingredients and finished items within proper temperature ranges for food safety.
- Prepares foods according to IDDSI standards and resident diet plan. Prepares meats and casseroles bringing them to proper temperatures for food safety.
- Cools down leftovers properly to reach appropriate temperatures within specified timeframe.
- Labels and dates all ingredients and food items.
- Maintains overall kitchen cleaning list duties assigned to self and staff. Uses leftovers cost effectively, wisely and safely. Discards any outdates or questionable items.
- Monitors temperatures of freezers and refrigerators when going in and out of them daily and report any problems to the Supervisor.
- Assist the manager and assistant managers in training new cooks/staff in food sanitation and kitchen safety. Serves as resource and support to the neighborhoods.
- Assists assistant supervisors in checking in and putting away freight.
- Uses food service chemicals for safety and effectiveness. Knowledge of location and use of Material Safety Data sheets.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Online Privacy Policy:
At Avera, we are committed to protecting your online privacy. For more information, please visit https://www.avera.org/legal-notices/online-privacy-policy/
See all 1,658+ Cook Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Cook roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Cook
Get your culinary credentials formally evaluated
If you trained outside the U.S., have your culinary school transcripts and diplomas assessed by a credential evaluation service before applying. USCIS and PERM auditors scrutinize foreign culinary credentials closely, and gaps in documentation slow or kill petitions.
Target hotel groups over independent restaurants
Large hotel chains and resort operators have dedicated HR and immigration infrastructure that independent restaurants almost never have. They file H-2B and PERM petitions regularly, which means their HR teams already understand the process and won't balk at sponsorship costs.
Search verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed cook-role sponsorship history. Filtering by employers who have filed labor certifications for culinary positions saves you from applying to places that have never sponsored and are unlikely to start.
Understand the H-2B seasonal cap before you apply
H-2B is capped at 66,000 visas per year, split across two halves. Most cook sponsorships tied to seasonal resorts fall under H-2B, meaning your timing matters. If the cap fills early, your employer's petition gets denied regardless of your qualifications.
Ask employers about PERM before accepting any offer
If your goal is a green card, confirm the employer is willing to file PERM labor certification, not just a temporary work visa. PERM requires the employer to prove no qualified U.S. workers are available and commits them to a multi-year process. Not every restaurant group is prepared for that.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify your offered wage
Before signing an offer letter, look up the prevailing wage for your cook classification in that city using the OFLC Wage Search. Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage on any sponsored petition, so a lowball offer is a red flag that the sponsorship may fall apart at the LCA or PERM stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which visas realistically cover cook roles for foreign nationals?
H-2B covers temporary or seasonal cook positions at hotels, resorts, and catering operations. For permanent roles, employers can sponsor through the EB-3 green card category via PERM labor certification, which applies to skilled workers with at least two years of experience. The H-1B visa does not apply to cook roles because cooking is not classified as a specialty occupation requiring a directly related bachelor's degree.
Do I need a culinary degree to get sponsored as a cook?
Not always. EB-3 skilled worker sponsorship requires at least two years of training or experience, which can be documented through employment records and references rather than formal education. For H-2B, there is no degree requirement. However, formal culinary credentials from a recognized institution strengthen your petition and reduce the chance of a Request for Evidence from USCIS.
How do I find employers who actually sponsor cooks?
Browse cook and culinary roles on Migrate Mate, which lists employers with verified sponsorship filing history. Most sponsoring employers are large hotel groups, resort operators, and institutional food service companies rather than independent restaurants, so targeting those sectors directly improves your odds significantly.
How long does the sponsorship process take for a cook position?
H-2B sponsorship, when the cap is available, typically takes three to four months from labor certification through DOL to final USCIS approval. PERM-based EB-3 sponsorship is a longer path: PERM audits at DOL can take six months or more, followed by I-140 petition processing at USCIS, then consular or adjustment of status processing. The full green card timeline often runs two to four years or longer.
Can a small restaurant sponsor a foreign national cook?
Technically yes, but it is uncommon. PERM requires the employer to run a full recruitment process, document that no qualified U.S. workers applied, and pay prevailing wages throughout. Most small restaurants lack the HR capacity and legal budget for that process. H-2B is more accessible for smaller seasonal operations, but the annual cap and registration requirements still create barriers for employers without prior filing experience.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Cook 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.