Restaurant Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
There are 8,053+ restaurant positions currently offering visa sponsorship in the United States. The most common visa types for these roles include F-1 OPT, Green Card, F-1 CPT. Top hiring companies include Chick-fil-A Restaurants, Panda Restaurant Group, & Waffle House, Inc., among others. Salaries for sponsored positions range from $20K – $25K.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The ideal host/hostess is self-motivated, friendly and committed to providing outstanding customer service every day.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Greet and seat customers quickly and in a professional manner
- Share your knowledge and enthusiasm about the restaurant's menu and products with customers
- Assist with new employee training by positively reinforcing successful performance and offer assistance as needed
- Support other areas of the restaurant as requested, such as answering telephones, completing financial transactions, stock work, cleanup and documentation
- The hours and schedule for this position will vary by week depending on business needs
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- The ability to communicate clearly and professionally with customers and coworkers
- Thrived in a fast-paced environment
- The ability to work a flexible schedule
- A food handler’s card where required by local and state regulations
- 1+ year experience in food service/hospitality (preferred)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Benefits
Our employees are our most important asset and that’s reflected in our benefits. Nordstrom is proud to offer a variety of benefits to support employees and their families, including:
- Medical/Vision, Dental, Retirement and Paid Time Away
- Life Insurance and Disability
- Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources
A few more important points...
The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. There may be additional duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job.
For Los Angeles or San Francisco applicants: Nordstrom is required to inform you that we conduct background checks after conditional offer and consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements per Los Angeles, Cal. Muni. Code 189.04 and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional state and location specific notices, please refer to the Legal Notices document within the FAQ section of the Nordstrom Careers site. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation should contact the nearest Nordstrom location, which can be identified at www.nordstrom.com. Please be mindful that there may be legal notices and requirements related to this job posting that are specific to your state. Review the Career Site FAQ’s for relevant information and guidelines.
COMPENSATION
Pay Range Details: The pay range(s) below has been provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different for other locations. Pay offers are dependent on the location, as well as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
- $16.95 - $17.65 Hourly
This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Restaurant
Distinguish between seasonal and corporate restaurant roles
The visa pathway depends entirely on the role level. Seasonal front-of-house and kitchen positions use the H-2B visa, while corporate and management roles at restaurant chains may qualify for H-1B. Knowing which path applies to your target role determines your entire job search strategy.
Target restaurant group corporate offices for H-1B roles
Companies like Darden Restaurants, Yum! Brands, Chipotle, and Starbucks have corporate offices with hundreds of non-restaurant positions in operations, analytics, marketing, and finance. These corporate roles are far more likely to support H-1B sponsorship than individual restaurant locations. Search for roles at company headquarters rather than store-level positions.
Leverage hospitality management degrees strategically
A bachelor's degree in hospitality management from an accredited U.S. or international program strengthens H-1B eligibility for restaurant management roles. Programs accredited by ACPHA (Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration) carry particular weight. If your program has a STEM-designated CIP code, you may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Consider hotel restaurant positions for broader sponsorship options
Restaurants within major hotel properties often benefit from the hotel's existing immigration infrastructure. A hotel that already sponsors H-1B workers for other departments may be more willing to sponsor restaurant management roles. Properties operated by Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt have dedicated immigration teams that handle sponsorship across departments.
Build U.S. experience through J-1 hospitality programs
J-1 exchange visitor programs designed for hospitality professionals place participants in U.S. restaurants for 12-18 months. This gives you verifiable U.S. management experience, English-language references, and an understanding of American restaurant operations. Many J-1 participants transition to H-1B or H-2B roles with the same or different employers afterward.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
What types of restaurant jobs can be sponsored through work visas?
Restaurant sponsorship options vary by role level. Front-of-house and kitchen positions at seasonal establishments commonly use H-2B visas, while management roles at large restaurant groups may qualify for H-1B sponsorship if they require a bachelor's degree. Corporate positions at restaurant chains - such as operations managers, marketing directors, and supply chain roles - are the most likely to qualify for H-1B.
Do restaurant chains sponsor visas for management positions?
Large restaurant groups like Darden (Olive Garden, LongHorn), Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut), and McDonald's corporate offices do sponsor H-1B visas for management and corporate roles. These positions typically require a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business, or a related field. Individual franchise locations rarely sponsor on their own.
Can I use OPT to work in the restaurant industry after graduating from a U.S. hospitality program?
Yes, graduates of U.S. hospitality management programs can use their 12 months of post-completion OPT to work in restaurant management, operations, or corporate roles. However, most hospitality management degrees are not STEM-designated, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension is typically not available. Some universities have reclassified their programs under STEM-eligible CIP codes, so check with your school's international student office.
What restaurant roles have the strongest sponsorship prospects?
Corporate positions at restaurant chains - including operations, finance, supply chain, and technology roles - have the strongest H-1B sponsorship prospects because they clearly require specialized degrees. General managers of high-volume restaurants may also qualify if the employer can demonstrate that the role requires a hospitality management degree. Line-level positions are better suited to H-2B seasonal sponsorship.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Restaurant jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a restaurant in Florida will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.
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