Sommelier Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Sommelier jobs in the U.S. can qualify for H-1B visa or O-1 visa sponsorship when the role requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field or demonstrable extraordinary ability. Fine dining groups, hotel chains, and wine importers are the most active sponsors. Competition is real, but the right credentials and employer fit make sponsorship achievable.
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Get Access To All JobsLOCATION: Las Vegas, Nevada
INTRODUCTION
The SHOW comes alive at MGM Resorts International.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in a place full of excitement, diversity, and entertainment? Are you enthusiastic about being a team player in one of the most fascinating industries in the world? At MGM Resorts, we seek individuals like YOU to create unique and show-stopping experiences for our guests.
THE JOB:
As a Sommelier at PRIME Steakhouse at Bellagio, you will create exceptional dining experiences through expert wine knowledge, thoughtful pairings, and personalized service. You will guide guests through the wine list, recommend selections that complement their meal, and bring warmth, confidence, and attention to detail to every interaction. Your passion for wine and hospitality will help deliver the elevated, memorable experience that defines PRIME and Bellagio.
THE STARTING RATE: $15.72 + tips
THE DAY-TO-DAY:
- Maintain complete knowledge of wine list, and wine and food pairing
- Collect money, while following all proper cash handling and comp procedures
- Clean equipment, tools, and supplies and ensure equipment is in good working order, including cleanliness, sanitation, and appearance of work station
- Maintain and update cellar/storage inventory according to set pars and internal controls, and request product to maintain stock in designated area
- Meet regularly with the wine trade to actively seek quality wines for the restaurant wine program as well as evaluate wines and other beverage for potential purchase
- Eliminate waste by training and supervising employees on wine knowledge, pour levels, proper storage, etc
- Verify accuracy of wine delivery ordered and received from the main warehouse and return or exchange deliveries when a warehouse error has occurred
- Maintain appropriate beverage costs by managing purchases and requisitions; place wine requisitions at the end of each service
- Perform other job-related duties as requested
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
- Is 21+ years of age
- High School Diploma, GED or equivalent required
- 1+ Years of Prior Relevant Experience required
THE PERKS & BENEFITS:
- Wellness incentive programs to help you stay healthy physically and mentally
- Access to company hotel, food and beverage, retail, and entertainment discounts as well as discounts with company partners on things like travel, electronics, online shopping, and more
- Free meals in our employee dining room
- Free parking on and off shift
- Health & Income Protection benefits (for eligible employees)
- Professional and personal development through programs and networking opportunities as well as volunteer opportunities in the community
Are you ready to JOIN THE SHOW? Apply today!
LOCATION: Las Vegas, Nevada
INTRODUCTION
The SHOW comes alive at MGM Resorts International.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in a place full of excitement, diversity, and entertainment? Are you enthusiastic about being a team player in one of the most fascinating industries in the world? At MGM Resorts, we seek individuals like YOU to create unique and show-stopping experiences for our guests.
THE JOB:
As a Sommelier at PRIME Steakhouse at Bellagio, you will create exceptional dining experiences through expert wine knowledge, thoughtful pairings, and personalized service. You will guide guests through the wine list, recommend selections that complement their meal, and bring warmth, confidence, and attention to detail to every interaction. Your passion for wine and hospitality will help deliver the elevated, memorable experience that defines PRIME and Bellagio.
THE STARTING RATE: $15.72 + tips
THE DAY-TO-DAY:
- Maintain complete knowledge of wine list, and wine and food pairing
- Collect money, while following all proper cash handling and comp procedures
- Clean equipment, tools, and supplies and ensure equipment is in good working order, including cleanliness, sanitation, and appearance of work station
- Maintain and update cellar/storage inventory according to set pars and internal controls, and request product to maintain stock in designated area
- Meet regularly with the wine trade to actively seek quality wines for the restaurant wine program as well as evaluate wines and other beverage for potential purchase
- Eliminate waste by training and supervising employees on wine knowledge, pour levels, proper storage, etc
- Verify accuracy of wine delivery ordered and received from the main warehouse and return or exchange deliveries when a warehouse error has occurred
- Maintain appropriate beverage costs by managing purchases and requisitions; place wine requisitions at the end of each service
- Perform other job-related duties as requested
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
- Is 21+ years of age
- High School Diploma, GED or equivalent required
- 1+ Years of Prior Relevant Experience required
THE PERKS & BENEFITS:
- Wellness incentive programs to help you stay healthy physically and mentally
- Access to company hotel, food and beverage, retail, and entertainment discounts as well as discounts with company partners on things like travel, electronics, online shopping, and more
- Free meals in our employee dining room
- Free parking on and off shift
- Health & Income Protection benefits (for eligible employees)
- Professional and personal development through programs and networking opportunities as well as volunteer opportunities in the community
Are you ready to JOIN THE SHOW? Apply today!
See all Sommelier Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Sommelier roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Sommelier Jobs
Document your certified sommelier credentials formally
Court of Master Sommeliers and WSET diplomas strengthen a specialty occupation argument under H-1B. Gather official certificates, transcripts, and any relevant letters from examining bodies before approaching employers about sponsorship.
Target hotel groups and fine dining operators
Large hospitality groups with multi-property wine programs file LCAs more regularly than independent restaurants. A beverage director role at a hotel group is structurally easier to frame as a specialty occupation than a floor sommelier position at a single venue.
Search verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate lists U.S. employers with verified LCA sponsorship history, searchable by role and city. Use it to identify which hospitality and food and beverage operators have actually filed for sommelier or beverage roles before you apply.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your role and location. Run your job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before salary discussions so you know the floor the LCA must meet.
Get your foreign degree evaluated for U.S. equivalency
If you completed hospitality or enology training outside the U.S., obtain a credential evaluation from a NACES-member service. The evaluation needs to show bachelor's-degree equivalency for the H-1B specialty occupation requirement to hold up under USCIS review.
Understand the PERM labor certification timeline for EB-3
If your employer wants to sponsor you for a green card via EB-3, the PERM process requires DOL to certify that no qualified U.S. workers are available. That recruitment process typically takes several months before the PERM application is even filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a sommelier role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
It can, but it's not automatic. USCIS requires the position to normally demand at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. A wine director or head sommelier role at a fine dining group or hotel has a stronger specialty occupation argument than a general floor sommelier position, particularly when paired with formal credentials like a WSET Diploma or Court of Master Sommeliers certification.
Which visa types are realistic for a sommelier seeking U.S. sponsorship?
H-1B is the most common path if the role qualifies as a specialty occupation. O-1 visa is available if you can document extraordinary ability through awards, published recognition, judging roles, or high-profile placements in the wine industry. J-1 visa is possible through designated exchange programs for culinary or hospitality training. TN visa is not available, as sommelier is not on the USMCA profession list.
What kind of employers sponsor sommeliers for work visas?
Fine dining restaurants, luxury hotel groups with dedicated wine programs, wine importers, and corporate hospitality companies are the most active sponsors. Standalone restaurants rarely have the HR infrastructure to manage an H-1B filing. Use Migrate Mate to browse employers with verified sponsorship history in the hospitality and food and beverage sector before you start applying.
Do I need a formal degree to get H-1B sponsorship as a sommelier?
USCIS allows three years of specialized training or experience to substitute for each year of a bachelor's degree that you lack. For a four-year degree, that means up to 12 years of relevant experience could satisfy the requirement. Industry certifications like a WSET Level 4 Diploma or Master Sommelier credential support the specialty occupation argument but don't replace the degree-equivalent analysis entirely.
How does the H-1B annual lottery affect sommelier sponsorship timelines?
H-1B is subject to an annual cap of 65,000 regular slots plus 20,000 for advanced-degree holders, with selection via lottery each year. The selection rules have changed recently, so check USCIS for current mechanics. If you're not selected, O-1 or cap-exempt employer routes are worth exploring. Some sommeliers pursue J-1 exchange programs as a bridge while building their O-1 petition.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Sommelier 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.