Prep Cook Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Prep cook jobs can qualify for visa sponsorship through H-2B visa for seasonal kitchen work or green card pathways for permanent roles. Employers in hotels, resorts, and restaurant groups regularly sponsor foreign workers, especially in high-demand markets where local hiring falls short.
Find Prep Cook JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,657+ Prep Cook jobs
See all 1,657+ Prep Cook Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Prep Cook roles.
Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
The people here at Apple don’t just create products - they create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that supports the innovation that runs through everything we do. Joining the Caffè Macs team will give you the opportunity to craft inspiring meals that fuel the innovation within the company. The Prep Cook is responsible for the preparation of daily entrees/items, featuring daily changing menus with knowledge of culinary ingredients. Prepare ingredients and cook according to established guidelines, understand methods of cooking. Do you have knowledge of quantity food production, presentation, service and sanitation? We would love to talk with you about our Prep Cook positions!
DESCRIPTION
Prepares all food items for the execution of the line cooks including all hot, cold and baked products. Maintains proper food temperatures of foods during preparation and service; pre-preps food according to the menu; notifies chef immediately when food and supplies are not available; maintains food production areas in a clean, neat and orderly manner; cleans assigned areas following established cleaning procedures and schedules. Correctly follow all health, safety, and sanitation guidelines. Understands and follows standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards and kitchen practices. Collaborates with co-workers. Performs additional responsibilities, as requested by the Chef, Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 1.5 years of corporate kitchen Prep Cook experience required
- Have an approved Food Handler’s Card, kitchen knives and non-slip shoes prior to first day of work
- Ability to lift and transport up to 50 pounds (pots, pans, etc.) on occasion and up to 35 pounds regularly
- Ability to spend 100% of the time standing with the occasional exposure to cold, heat and water
- Basic understanding of professional cooking and knife handling skills
- Understanding and ability to follow safety, sanitation and food handling procedures
- Ability to comprehend, read, and communicate in English
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of healthful, nutritional-based cuisine preferred
- Display a real passion for food and cooking and be self-motivated preferably with 2 years of cooking experience preferred in “from scratch” environments and/or culinary education. We can also train if you have the basics.
- Speaks clearly, listens attentively to staff, peers, supervisors, and guests. Clearly communicate with co-workers and managers through reading and writing.
- Maintain the highest standards of conduct and confidentiality
- Continually grows in knowledge by training in other areas in the kitchen. You can lead your own career here and find new challenges.
- Typically we look for talent with 1 year of experience in customer service or high volume food service - preferably larger, innovative corporate programs, in house or 3rd party but may also be food & beverage experience in a full-service hotel, resort or multi-restaurant chain.
- You will work with and serve a versatile diverse workforce.
- Extraordinarily Service Oriented - show high level of customer service is positively mandatory…We hire for attitude, train for skill.
- Dynamic and agile - highly organized, ability to switch between locations and job duties
- Things happen fast here. Bring your ability to multi-task in a high-volume experience and your love for working in a fast pace environment.
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $23.00 and $29.86/hr, and most new hires start at $23.00. Your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
SUMMARY
The people here at Apple don’t just create products - they create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that supports the innovation that runs through everything we do. Joining the Caffè Macs team will give you the opportunity to craft inspiring meals that fuel the innovation within the company. The Prep Cook is responsible for the preparation of daily entrees/items, featuring daily changing menus with knowledge of culinary ingredients. Prepare ingredients and cook according to established guidelines, understand methods of cooking. Do you have knowledge of quantity food production, presentation, service and sanitation? We would love to talk with you about our Prep Cook positions!
DESCRIPTION
Prepares all food items for the execution of the line cooks including all hot, cold and baked products. Maintains proper food temperatures of foods during preparation and service; pre-preps food according to the menu; notifies chef immediately when food and supplies are not available; maintains food production areas in a clean, neat and orderly manner; cleans assigned areas following established cleaning procedures and schedules. Correctly follow all health, safety, and sanitation guidelines. Understands and follows standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards and kitchen practices. Collaborates with co-workers. Performs additional responsibilities, as requested by the Chef, Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 1.5 years of corporate kitchen Prep Cook experience required
- Have an approved Food Handler’s Card, kitchen knives and non-slip shoes prior to first day of work
- Ability to lift and transport up to 50 pounds (pots, pans, etc.) on occasion and up to 35 pounds regularly
- Ability to spend 100% of the time standing with the occasional exposure to cold, heat and water
- Basic understanding of professional cooking and knife handling skills
- Understanding and ability to follow safety, sanitation and food handling procedures
- Ability to comprehend, read, and communicate in English
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of healthful, nutritional-based cuisine preferred
- Display a real passion for food and cooking and be self-motivated preferably with 2 years of cooking experience preferred in “from scratch” environments and/or culinary education. We can also train if you have the basics.
- Speaks clearly, listens attentively to staff, peers, supervisors, and guests. Clearly communicate with co-workers and managers through reading and writing.
- Maintain the highest standards of conduct and confidentiality
- Continually grows in knowledge by training in other areas in the kitchen. You can lead your own career here and find new challenges.
- Typically we look for talent with 1 year of experience in customer service or high volume food service - preferably larger, innovative corporate programs, in house or 3rd party but may also be food & beverage experience in a full-service hotel, resort or multi-restaurant chain.
- You will work with and serve a versatile diverse workforce.
- Extraordinarily Service Oriented - show high level of customer service is positively mandatory…We hire for attitude, train for skill.
- Dynamic and agile - highly organized, ability to switch between locations and job duties
- Things happen fast here. Bring your ability to multi-task in a high-volume experience and your love for working in a fast pace environment.
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $23.00 and $29.86/hr, and most new hires start at $23.00. Your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
See all 1,657+ Prep Cook Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Prep Cook roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Prep Cook
Verify your role meets H-2B requirements
H-2B covers temporary or seasonal prep cook positions only. Confirm the employer's need is genuinely seasonal, like a resort kitchen that ramps up for summer, before pursuing this route. Year-round restaurant jobs require a different pathway entirely.
Pull prevailing wage data before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to find the prevailing wage for prep cook roles in your target city. Any H-2B or PERM-sponsored offer must meet this floor, so you'll know immediately if an employer's offer is compliant or needs adjustment.
Target hotel groups and resort operators first
Large hospitality groups file H-2B temporary labor certifications with DOL in predictable seasonal cycles. Kitchens at ski resorts, beach hotels, and convention centers have documented histories of sponsoring prep and line cook roles, making them more reliable targets than independent restaurants.
Find sponsors with verified filing history on Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to browse employers who have verified sponsorship histories for food preparation roles. Targeting employers with prior filings cuts down wasted applications to kitchens that have never navigated the certification process.
Prepare a skills portfolio before employer outreach
Collect documentation of knife skills certifications, food handler permits, and any culinary school records before approaching sponsors. Employers filing a PERM labor certification need to demonstrate you're qualified, and a clear credentials package speeds up that internal review.
Understand the H-2B cap and filing windows
H-2B has an annual cap of 66,000 visas split across two half-year periods. Employers must file their DOL temporary labor certification well before their start date, so if a kitchen misses the window, your start date shifts by a full season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a prep cook job qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
No. The H-1B visa requires a specialty occupation defined by USCIS as one that normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Prep cook roles don't meet that standard. Realistic visa options include H-2B for temporary or seasonal kitchen work, or EB-3 green card sponsorship for permanent full-time positions at qualifying employers.
Does a prep cook need a culinary degree to get sponsored?
Not for H-2B or EB-3 skilled worker sponsorship. H-2B focuses on the employer's documented need for temporary workers, not your credentials. EB-3 for skilled workers requires at least two years of training or experience, which hands-on kitchen work typically satisfies. A culinary certificate strengthens your case but isn't a legal requirement for most pathways.
How does the H-2B temporary labor certification process work for kitchen jobs?
The employer, not you, initiates the process by applying to DOL to certify there aren't enough available U.S. workers for the seasonal role. DOL reviews the application, sets prevailing wage requirements, and if approved, the employer then files an I-129 petition with USCIS on your behalf. The entire process must be completed before your expected start date.
Where can I find prep cook jobs with visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship histories for food service and prep cook roles, so you're not cold-applying to kitchens that have never sponsored a worker. Filtering by location helps you target high-demand hospitality markets where seasonal labor shortages make employers more likely to pursue H-2B certification.
Can a prep cook employer sponsor a green card?
Yes. Employers can sponsor prep cooks under the EB-3 unskilled or skilled worker category depending on documented experience. The employer must complete PERM labor certification through DOL, advertising the position to U.S. workers first. This process typically takes one to two years before an immigrant petition is even filed, so it suits stable, permanent kitchen employment rather than seasonal work.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Prep 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.