Kitchen Assistant Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Kitchen assistant jobs rarely come with visa sponsorship, but H-2B visa and employer-sponsored green card pathways do exist for the right candidates. Roles in hotels, resorts, and high-volume catering operations are most likely to file. Knowing which visa fits your situation and which employers actually sponsor is the starting point.

Find Kitchen Assistant Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs59+
Top Visa TypeGreen Card
Work Type100% On-site
Top LocationDallas, TX
Most JobsSweetgreen

Showing 5 of 59+ Kitchen Assistant jobs

Kitchen Assistant Manager
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Added 2w ago
Kitchen Assistant Manager
Circle K
Charleston, South Carolina
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
Food Service
Hospitality Management
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Kitchen Assistant
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Added 2w ago
Kitchen Assistant
CSC Generation
Orlando, Florida
Customer Service & Support
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
On-Site
None
501-1,000

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Assistant Manager - Kitchen
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Added 2w ago
Assistant Manager - Kitchen
Sheetz
Richmond, Virginia
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality Management
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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Assistant General Manager (Kitchen Manager)
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Added 3w ago
Assistant General Manager (Kitchen Manager)
Paradies Lagardère
Jamaica, New York
Hospitality & Guest Services
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$85k/yr
On-Site
High School
5,001-10,000

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Assistant Kitchen Department Head
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Added 2mo ago
Assistant Kitchen Department Head
T&T Supermarket
Chino Hills, California
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Cleaning & Housekeeping
Hospitality Management
$23 - $29/hr
On-Site
None
5,001-10,000

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Tips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Kitchen Assistant

Verify your O*NET job zone first

Kitchen assistant roles sit in a lower job zone on O*NET, which rules out H-1B sponsorship entirely. Focus your search on H-2B for seasonal work or EB-3 unskilled worker green cards, not specialty occupation visas.

Target seasonal hospitality employers specifically

H-2B sponsorship for kitchen roles is concentrated in ski resorts, beach hotels, and summer camps with predictable staffing cycles. These employers file temporary labor certifications with DOL each season and are far more likely to sponsor than year-round restaurants.

Get a food handler certification before applying

A ServSafe or state-equivalent food handler certificate signals job readiness to hiring managers and reduces onboarding risk for employers weighing the cost of sponsorship paperwork. Obtain yours before submitting applications, not after receiving an offer.

Understand the H-2B cap timing constraint

H-2B has an annual cap of 66,000 visas split across two half-year periods. Employers must file early in the cycle, so offers made after the cap fills for that period cannot proceed. Ask any potential sponsor where they are in the USCIS filing timeline before accepting.

Search Migrate Mate for verified sponsoring employers

Most kitchen job boards don't surface sponsorship history. Migrate Mate lists employers with verified DOL labor certification filing history for food service roles, so you can target operations that have sponsored before rather than cold-applying and hoping.

Clarify PERM eligibility with your employer early

An EB-3 unskilled worker green card requires the employer to run a full PERM labor certification through DOL, proving no qualified U.S. workers are available. Raise this pathway in the offer stage, not six months in, so both sides understand the timeline and cost commitment upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a kitchen assistant job be sponsored for a U.S. visa?

Yes, but the options are narrower than for degree-requiring roles. H-2B covers temporary or seasonal kitchen work at qualifying employers, while the EB-3 unskilled worker category can support a permanent green card if the employer completes PERM labor certification. Neither route is fast, and both require the employer to initiate the process.

Does a kitchen assistant need a degree to get visa sponsorship?

No degree is required for H-2B or EB-3 unskilled worker sponsorship. Kitchen assistant roles are classified below specialty occupation level, so H-1B visa, which requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field, does not apply. What matters more is documented food service experience and a willing employer.

Which employers are most likely to sponsor a kitchen assistant?

Seasonal hospitality operations, specifically ski resorts, summer camps, national park lodges, and large beach resorts, file the most H-2B labor certifications for kitchen and food service staff. These employers face predictable seasonal labor shortages and have established processes for DOL and USCIS filings. Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with verified sponsorship history in this category.

How long does H-2B sponsorship take for a kitchen role?

The H-2B process typically takes three to four months from the employer's initial DOL temporary labor certification filing to visa approval, assuming the annual cap hasn't been reached. Employers must start the process well before the intended start date. If the cap fills for that half-year period, the employer must wait for the next cycle.

What is the difference between H-2B and EB-3 sponsorship for kitchen assistants?

H-2B is a temporary visa tied to a specific seasonal or one-time need, valid for up to one year and extendable to three years total. EB-3 unskilled worker is a permanent green card pathway requiring PERM labor certification and a priority date queue. H-2B is faster but time-limited. EB-3 leads to permanent residence but involves a multi-year wait for most nationalities.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Kitchen Assistant 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.