Restaurant Dishwasher Jobs in the USA for Foreigners

Restaurant Dishwasher Jobs in the USA for Foreigners: If you are looking for restaurant dishwasher jobs in the United States with visa sponsorship, you are targeting a role with genuine and consistent demand in the hospitality industry. The U.S. government has released 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas for fiscal year 2026 on top of the standard annual cap, specifically to help hospitality employers fill seasonal positions . This means more opportunities for foreign workers in dishwashing and steward roles across hotels, resorts, and restaurants nationwide.

The H-2B Visa: Your Pathway to Dishwasher Jobs

What Is the H-2B Visa?

The H-2B visa is a temporary, non-immigrant work visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for seasonal, peak-load, or one-time occurrence non-agricultural jobs when qualified American workers are not available . Dishwasher positions in restaurants, hotels, and resorts are explicitly covered under this program.

Key characteristics of the H-2B visa include being tied to a specific employer and specific job. The duration matches the seasonal need, typically up to 10 months. You must intend to return home after the temporary period, and your employer must prove no U.S. workers are available through a process called Temporary Labor Certification.

H-2B Visa Availability for 2026

The H-2B program has a statutory cap of 66,000 visas per fiscal year, split evenly between the first half and second half. For 2026, the U.S. government has released an additional 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas specifically to help hospitality employers fill seasonal positions. Dishwasher and steward roles are explicitly covered under this expansion.

Important Visa Note

Most dishwasher positions with visa sponsorship are available to applicants who are already in the United States on an active H-2B visa seeking an extension. Some positions, however, are open to new applicants from overseas through employer-sponsored petitions.

Real Dishwasher Job Opportunities with H-2B Sponsorship for 2026

Here are actual dishwasher positions currently or recently available with H-2B visa sponsorship for the 2026 season. These listings are from official government portals and verified sources.

Dishwasher – Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is seeking six dishwashers for the 2026 season . This is an active H-2B position listed on Visa Sponsor Jobs, a verified portal for sponsored jobs.

The wage is $13.42 per hour with 40 hours per week, Thursday through Monday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. No education or experience is required, and the employer will provide on-the-job training. The position runs from April 1, 2026 with an end date not specified.

Job duties include cleaning and sanitizing china, glass, silver, pots and pans, stainless steel and entire kitchen area including walls, floors, drains and equipment, reporting broken or damaged equipment for repair, disposing of trash from kitchen area properly and maintaining dumpster area, and following safe cleaning and sanitizing procedures.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift 50 pounds and the ability to work a 5-day workweek including weekends and holidays.

Visa benefits are extensive. The employer will reimburse H-2B workers in the first workweek for all visa, visa processing, border crossing, and other related fees, excluding passport fees. The employer guarantees to offer work for hours equal to at least three-fourths of the workdays in each 12-week period. If the worker completes 50 percent of the work contract period, the employer will arrange and pay directly for transportation and subsistence from the place of recruitment to the place of work. Upon completion of the work contract or where the worker is dismissed earlier, the employer will provide or pay for workers reasonable costs of return transportation and subsistence back home. Daily meals will be provided at a rate of at least $16.28 per day during travel, up to $68 per day with receipts. All tools, supplies, and equipment are provided at no charge, and a uniform is provided at no cost.

Seasonal Steward – North Shore Preserve, Kauai, Hawaii

North Shore Preserve, a private community in Princeville, Hawaii, is seeking seasonal Stewards for the Culinary Department . This H-2B position is listed on Indeed with sponsorship available for in-country extension candidates already working in the U.S. on an active H-2B visa.

The wage is $19.00 to $23.00 per hour. The seasonal employment dates are March 15, 2026 to December 15, 2026. Three months of prior experience at a high-end restaurant, resort, or private club are required. Workers must be able to lift 40 pounds, stand and move for periods greater than four hours, and work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and shifts longer than eight hours. English proficiency is required.

Job duties include maintaining sanitation standards in all kitchen work areas by cleaning dishes and kitchen work areas, sweeping kitchen work areas, and removing trash. Workers will provide clean cooking utensils for the F&B operations and ensure that all utensils and equipment are clean, dry, and correctly stored. They will maintain safety and proper storage of chemicals, perform daily set ups of china, glassware, and silverware for all outlets, complete all opening and closing procedures, and maintain all equipment properly.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, employee meals, referral incentives, holiday pay, professional development opportunities, and a work-family culture.

Dishwasher – Cabbage Key and Tarpon Lodge, Bokeelia, Florida

Cabbage Key and Tarpon Lodge in Bokeelia, Florida is seeking dishwashers for the 2026 season . This H-2B position is listed on El Portal Migrante, a verified government-affiliated portal for H-2A and H-2B jobs.

The wage is $17.00 to $18.00 per hour, with overtime at $25.50 to $27.00 per hour. The position runs from October 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. Three months of experience in a restaurant, resort, or private club are required. Shifts vary and are available 7 days a week, with hours from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

Job duties include washing dishes and all cooking materials by machine or hand, maintaining kitchen work areas and equipment in clean condition, sweeping and scrubbing floors, preparing various foods for cooking or serving, and sorting and removing trash. A pre-employment background check is required.

Kitchen Staff – Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is seeking 21 kitchen staff members for the 2026 season . This H-2B position is listed on Visa Sponsor Jobs with a start date of February 12, 2026.

The wage is $15.50 per hour. No education or experience is required, and the employer will provide on-the-job training. Rotating shifts include 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM, and 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Workers must be able to stand and bend repetitively during entire shift.

Job duties include cleaning and sanitizing chinaware, glass, silver, pots and pans, stainless steel and entire kitchen area including walls, floors, drains and equipment, reporting broken or damaged equipment for repairs, cleaning or preparing various foods for cooking or serving, carrying food from the kitchen to the buffet, and disposing of trash from kitchen area properly.

A pre-employment criminal background check is required, paid by the employer. The employer guarantees to offer work for hours equal to at least three-fourths of the workdays in each 12-week period. Visa fees will be reimbursed in the first workweek, and transportation and subsistence will be provided after completing half the employment period.

Food & Beverage Steward – Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Kapolei, Hawaii

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei, Hawaii is seeking a Food & Beverage Steward for a full-time position . While this listing does not explicitly mention visa sponsorship, it offers an exceptionally high wage and comprehensive benefits for a dishwasher role.

The wage is $32.78 per hour. Benefits include 100 percent full coverage of healthcare for you and your eligible dependents, tuition paid upfront at network schools, free lunch, free parking, and free theme park admission.

Job duties include working with large dish machines to load and unload dishware, glassware, and silverware, manually scraping plates and utensils before loading, manually scrubbing large pots and pans at a pot sink, sorting pots, pans, dishes, glassware, flatware, and utensils and restocking into designated locations, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing kitchen floors, coolers, and freezers, emptying trash and recyclables appropriately, and performing deep cleaning according to schedule.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, push and pull heavy carts, work in areas with loud noises and confined spaces, and work any shift seven days per week including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Dishwasher/Steward – Harbor View Hotel, Edgartown, Massachusetts

Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, Massachusetts is seeking Dishwashers for the 2026 Summer Season . This H-2B position offers in-country extension sponsorship for candidates already in the U.S. on an active H-2B visa.

The wage is $21.73 per hour. The season runs from April 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Six months of successful culinary experience in fine dining or high-volume environment at a high-end resort, restaurant, or club are required, with 12 months preferred. Workers must be able to stand on their feet for 8 hours and lift up to 50 pounds.

Employee housing is provided if needed, located on the bus route, with a weekly fee of $189.00.

Job duties include cleaning kitchenware using the dishwashing machine or by hand, properly using chemicals and cleaning agents according to manufacturer’s instructions, disposing of trash and recycling materials as directed, and assisting in cleaning, stocking, and organization of food storage areas.

Dishwasher/Steward – Northstar California, Truckee, California

Northstar California in Truckee, California is seeking Dishwasher/Steward positions for the 2026 season . This H-2B position is listed on El Portal Migrante.

The wage is $20.00 to $23.55 per hour. The position runs from November 11, 2025 to April 17, 2026. Workers must be able to stand for extended periods of time and lift up to 40 pounds.

Job duties include washing dishes, glasses, utensils, pots, pans, and related food preparation and serving items and equipment, operating dishwashers, checking washed items for cleanliness, storing clean items and equipment, ensuring kitchen, line, and restaurant floor are stocked with correct amount of china, glassware, and utensils during hours of operation, cleaning and maintaining dish room area, pot sinks, front and back line kitchens, and other areas, sorting and removing trash and breaking down food storage bins, sweeping, brushing, and mopping floor to avoid slips and falls, cleaning drains and kitchen mats, and using personal protective gear including rubber gloves.

TOPPER’S Dishwasher – The Wauwinet, Nantucket, Massachusetts

TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet in Nantucket, Massachusetts is seeking Stewards and Dishwashers for the 2026 season . This position requires applicants to currently be in the U.S. on a valid H-2B visa seeking an extension. The position runs from April through October.

Job duties include filling the dishwashing machine with specified amounts of designated chemicals and ensuring temperature levels are set to standard, organizing the breakdown area for drop off of dirty wares, positioning wares in designated racks correctly and sending through dishwashing machine only when full, inspecting cleanliness and condition of all washed wares and rewashing those not meeting standards, sorting, stacking, and storing cleaned wares in designated areas, changing dishwashing machine water and filters as specified, maintaining cleanliness and working condition of garbage disposal, breaking down and cleaning dishwashing machine and work areas, and stocking kitchen lines with designated cleaned wares, utensils, and equipment.

Salary Comparison for Dishwasher Jobs 2026

Worker Rights and Protections Under H-2B

Prohibition on Recruitment Fees

A critical protection for H-2B workers is that no job placement fee may be collected at any time from a beneficiary. If you are asked to pay for a job offer, it is a scam. Legitimate employers cover petition costs and reimburse your visa fees after you start work.

Visa Fee Reimbursement

Most H-2B dishwasher positions offer visa fee reimbursement. The Sawyer’s Farmhouse listing explicitly states that the employer will reimburse H-2B workers in the first workweek for all visa, visa processing, border crossing, and other related fees, excluding passport fees.

Transportation and Travel Costs

H-2B workers receive important travel benefits. Inbound transportation is paid after completing 50 percent of the contract. Return transportation is provided upon contract completion. Daily subsistence of $16.28 is provided during travel, up to $68 with receipts.

The Three-Fourths Guarantee

Employers guarantee to offer work for hours equal to at least three-fourths of the workdays in each 12-week period. This ensures you receive a minimum level of income even if work is not available due to occupancy fluctuations.

Tools and Equipment

All tools, supplies, and equipment required to perform the job are provided at no charge. Uniforms are also provided at no cost to workers.

Eligibility Requirements for Dishwasher Jobs

Basic Qualifications

You must be at least 18 years old. Experience requirements vary. Some positions accept workers with no experience and provide on-the-job training. Others require 3 to 12 months of experience in a restaurant, resort, or private club. English proficiency is required for most positions, with the ability to read, write, speak, and understand English. Physical requirements include the ability to lift 40 to 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, bend, stoop, squat, and work in fast-paced environments. Background checks may be required at employer expense. Drug testing may also be required.

Skills Employers Look For

Employers value attention to detail and organizational skills, reliability and punctuality, ability to work independently and as part of a team, flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts, and knowledge of proper sanitation and safety procedures.

How to Find Genuine Dishwasher Jobs with H-2B Sponsorship

Use Official Government Job Portals

El Portal Migrante at elportalmigrante.org is a verified source for H-2A and H-2B positions with legitimate employers. The Florida and California listings are from this portal. Visa Sponsor Jobs is another verified portal for sponsored positions. The Tennessee and South Carolina listings are from this portal. Indeed and other major job boards also list H-2B positions, but always verify the sponsorship language.

Target Major Hospitality States

The job listings in this guide come from states with strong hospitality industries including Hawaii, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and California.

Apply Early

For summer season positions running from April through October, you should be applying in late winter or early spring. Many positions fill months in advance.

Understand the In-Country Extension Requirement

Many H-2B dishwasher positions are specifically for applicants already in the U.S. on an active H-2B visa seeking an extension. The Kauai, Edgartown, and Nantucket positions all require this. However, the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee position is open to new applicants from overseas.

Follow Application Instructions

Each job posting includes specific application instructions. Apply through the portals provided and include all required documentation.

Never Pay for Job Offers

Recruitment fees are strictly prohibited by law. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer, it is a scam. H-2B workers are entitled to reimbursement for visa and related fees in the first workweek.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are restaurant dishwasher jobs with visa sponsorship real for 2026?

Yes. Verified listings exist on official government portals like El Portal Migrante and Visa Sponsor Jobs with positions in Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California. The U.S. government has also released 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas for 2026 specifically to help hospitality employers fill seasonal positions.

Do I need experience for dishwasher jobs?

It varies by position. Some positions, like the Sawyer’s Farmhouse listing in Tennessee, require no experience and provide on-the-job training. Others, like the Kauai and Florida positions, require 3 months of experience. The Edgartown, Massachusetts position requires 6 to 12 months of experience.

What visa is used for dishwasher jobs?

The H-2B visa is used for temporary non-agricultural workers in hospitality and tourism. Dishwasher positions are explicitly covered under this program.

What salary can I expect?

Based on verified 2026 listings, dishwasher positions pay $13.42 to $32.78 per hour. The highest-paying positions are at luxury resorts like Aulani in Hawaii at $32.78 per hour. Most positions range from $15 to $23 per hour.

Is housing provided?

Some employers offer housing. The Edgartown, Massachusetts position offers housing at $189 per week. Other positions do not specify housing, but some may offer assistance or guidance.

Do I need to speak English?

Basic English proficiency is required for most positions to communicate with kitchen staff and understand safety instructions. The Kauai position requires the ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Can I apply if I am not already in the U.S.?

Yes, some positions accept new applicants from overseas. The Sawyer’s Farmhouse position in Tennessee is open to new applicants. However, many positions are specifically for in-country extension candidates already working in the U.S. on an H-2B visa.

How long can I work on H-2B?

The H-2B visa is typically valid for the duration of the seasonal work, which can be up to 10 months. The maximum continuous stay is three years, after which you must remain outside the U.S. for at least three consecutive months before reapplying.

Final Honest Summary

Restaurant Dishwasher Jobs in the USA for Foreigners: Restaurant dishwasher jobs with visa sponsorship are real, with verified listings on official government portals like El Portal Migrante and Visa Sponsor Jobs. The U.S. government has released 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas for 2026 specifically to help hospitality employers fill seasonal positions, demonstrating genuine demand.

Dishwasher positions are available across the country with wages ranging from $13.42 to $32.78 per hour. The highest-paying position is at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii at $32.78 per hour, while entry-level positions start at $13.42 per hour with no experience required.

Experience requirements vary. Some positions accept workers with no experience and provide on-the-job training, while others require 3 to 12 months of experience in a restaurant, resort, or private club.

The H-2B visa provides important worker protections including visa fee reimbursement, transportation assistance, the three-fourths guarantee ensuring minimum income, and strict prohibition on recruitment fees.

Your success depends on finding legitimate employers through official portals like El Portal Migrante and Visa Sponsor Jobs, meeting physical requirements including lifting 40 to 50 pounds and standing for long periods, having relevant experience where required by specific positions, never paying for job offers as recruitment fees are strictly prohibited by law, applying early for summer seasons in late winter or early spring, and knowing your rights to visa fee reimbursement, transportation assistance, and guaranteed work hours.

Start your search now through official government portals, target states with strong hospitality industries, and follow each job’s specific application instructions carefully. The U.S. restaurant industry needs dedicated dishwashers, and the H-2B program provides a structured, legal pathway for you to contribute.