Kitchen Helper Jobs in the USA with Work Visa

Kitchen Helper Jobs in the USA with Work Visa: If you are looking for kitchen helper jobs in the United States with work visa sponsorship, you are targeting a sector with genuine 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 kitchen helper, steward, and food service roles across hotels, resorts, and restaurants nationwide.

Understanding Kitchen Helper Jobs and the H-2B Visa

Kitchen helpers, also known as kitchen assistants or stewards, perform essential support tasks in commercial kitchens. Typical duties include washing dishes and 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, assisting members with purchases, sorting and removing trash, and performing deep cleaning tasks .

The H-2B visa is the primary pathway for these positions. It 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 . Kitchen helper roles in hotels, resorts, and private clubs 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 .

Real Kitchen Helper Job Opportunities with H-2B Sponsorship for 2026

Kitchen Helper – Jupiter Island Club, Hobe Sound, Florida

The Jupiter Island Club in Hobe Sound, Florida is seeking kitchen helpers for the 2026 season . This is an active H-2B position listed on El Portal Migrante, a verified government-affiliated portal for H-2A and H-2B jobs.

The wage is $16.00 to $22.00 per hour. The position runs from October 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026. Hours are 40 per week, with shifts varying between 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Three months of experience at a high-end hotel, restaurant, resort, or private club are required. A pre-employment background check is required at employer expense.

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, deep cleaning, preparing various foods for cooking, serving and packaging, assisting members with purchases, and sorting and removing trash. Workers may need to regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds with assistance.

The employer notes that kitchen helpers will also be responsible for packaging and labeling items for sale at the Chefs Cupboard venue, and assisting members by showing them where items are located and helping them when needed .

Seasonal Steward – North Shore Preserve, Kauai, Hawaii

North Shore Preserve 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, and holidays. 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 in designated areas. They will maintain safety and proper storage of chemicals, perform daily set ups of china, glassware, and silverware for all outlets, complete 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 .

Dining Room Attendant – Leland, Michigan

United Steaks of America Corporation in Leland, Michigan is seeking dining room attendants for the 2026 season . This H-2B position is listed on the Pure Michigan Talent Connect portal.

The wage is $15.31 per hour, with overtime at $22.97 per hour. The position runs from April 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026. Hours are 40 per week, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with schedule varying as needed. Workers must be willing to work overtime, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Must be able to lift 50 pounds .

Job duties include facilitating food service, cleaning tables, removing dirty dishes, replacing soiled table linens, setting tables, replenishing supplies of clean linens, silverware, glassware and dishes, supplying service bar with food, and serving items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons .

Visa benefits include reimbursement of all visa, border and other related fees during the first workweek. If the worker completes 50 percent of the work contract, the employer will reimburse transportation and subsistence from the place of recruitment to the place of work. Upon completion of the contract, the employer will provide or pay for return transportation and subsistence back home. Daily meals will be provided at a rate of at least $16.28 per day during travel to a maximum of $68 per day with receipts .

Additional Kitchen Helper Roles

According to industry sources, kitchen assistant jobs with visa sponsorship are available across the United States in 2026 . These positions are commonly found in hotels, restaurants, catering companies, and institutional kitchens. Common roles include prep cook assistant, line cook assistant, dishwasher and sanitation staff, pantry and cold kitchen assistant, catering kitchen helper, hotel kitchen support staff, and fast food kitchen assistant .

Major employers known to sponsor visas include Marriott Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, US-based restaurant chains, and catering and banquet companies . Regions with high demand include New York, Los Angeles, California, Chicago, Illinois, Houston, Texas, Miami, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada .

Salary Expectations for Kitchen Helper Jobs 2026

Based on verified job listings and industry sources, kitchen helper positions offer competitive wages:

According to industry sources, entry-level kitchen assistants earn $28,000 to $35,000 per year. Prep cook assistants earn $30,000 to $38,000 per year. Line cook assistants earn $32,000 to $40,000 per year. Hotel and catering kitchen assistants earn $34,000 to $42,000 per year . Overtime and holiday shifts provide additional earnings.

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 positions offer visa fee reimbursement. The Dining Room Attendant listing explicitly states that all visa, border and other related fees will be reimbursed to the employee during the first workweek of employment .

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 .

Important Considerations: The In-Country Extension Requirement

Many H-2B kitchen helper positions are specifically for applicants already in the U.S. on an active H-2B visa seeking an extension. The North Shore Preserve Steward position explicitly states: “H2B Visa Sponsorship: Seeking in-country extension candidates that are actively working in the US on an active H-2B visa and looking to extend their visa for the upcoming season” . Similarly, the Harbor View Hotel position in Massachusetts and the Aulani position also specify this requirement.

However, the Jupiter Island Club Kitchen Helper position in Florida and the Dining Room Attendant position in Michigan do not specify this restriction, suggesting they may be open to new applicants. The Jupiter Island Club position requires three months of experience at a high-end hotel, restaurant, resort, or private club .

Eligibility Requirements for Kitchen Helper Jobs

Basic Qualifications

You must be at least 18 years old. Experience requirements vary. The Jupiter Island Club position requires three months of experience at a high-end hotel, restaurant, resort, or private club . The North Shore Preserve position also requires three months of prior experience . Some positions may accept applicants with no experience .

English proficiency is required for most positions. The North Shore Preserve position requires 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 .

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 Kitchen Helper 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 Jupiter Island Club listing is from this portal . State workforce agency websites like Pure Michigan Talent Connect list H-2B positions . 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 Florida, Hawaii, and Michigan .

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 positions are specifically for applicants already in the U.S. on an active H-2B visa seeking an extension . If you are applying from overseas, focus on positions that do not specify this restriction.

Follow Application Instructions

Each job posting includes specific application instructions. For the Jupiter Island Club position, contact the employer through El Portal Migrante . For the Dining Room Attendant position, apply online at mitalent.org or contact the nearest Michigan Works! office .

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 kitchen helper jobs with visa sponsorship real for 2026?

Yes. Verified listings exist on official government portals like El Portal Migrante and state workforce agency sites with positions in Florida, Hawaii, and Michigan . The Jupiter Island Club position offers $16.00 to $22.00 per hour with H-2B sponsorship through May 2026 .

Do I need experience for kitchen helper jobs?

The Jupiter Island Club position requires three months of experience at a high-end hotel, restaurant, resort, or private club . The North Shore Preserve position also requires three months of prior experience . Some positions may accept applicants with no experience.

What visa is used for kitchen helper jobs?

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

What salary can I expect?

Based on verified 2026 listings, kitchen helper positions pay $15.31 to $23.00 per hour, with the Jupiter Island Club position offering $16.00 to $22.00 per hour and the North Shore Preserve position offering $19.00 to $23.00 per hour . Industry sources indicate annual salaries for kitchen assistants range from $28,000 to $42,000 depending on role and experience .

Is housing provided?

The job listings reviewed do not explicitly mention employer-provided housing. However, some positions 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 North Shore Preserve 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 Jupiter Island Club position does not specify an in-country extension requirement . 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

Kitchen Helper Jobs in the USA with Work Visa: Kitchen helper jobs with visa sponsorship are real, with verified listings on official government portals like El Portal Migrante and state workforce agency sites. The Jupiter Island Club position in Hobe Sound, Florida offers $16.00 to $22.00 per hour with H-2B sponsorship through May 2026 . The North Shore Preserve position in Kauai, Hawaii offers $19.00 to $23.00 per hour with H-2B sponsorship from March through December 2026 . The Dining Room Attendant position in Leland, Michigan offers $15.31 per hour with comprehensive visa benefits .

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 .

Most positions require three months of experience at a high-end hotel, restaurant, resort, or private club . However, entry-level opportunities may exist for workers with no experience . Basic English proficiency is required for most positions.

Your success depends on:

• Finding legitimate employers through official portals like El Portal Migrante and state workforce agency sites

• Meeting experience requirements where required by specific positions

• Understanding that many positions are for in-country extension candidates already in the U.S.

• Never paying for job offers – recruitment fees are strictly prohibited by law

• Applying early for summer seasons in late winter or early spring

• 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. hospitality industry needs dedicated kitchen helpers, and the H-2B program provides a structured, legal pathway for you to contribute.

Disclaimer

This job information is shared for educational and informational purposes only.
Any discussion of visa categories is based on general immigration laws and publicly available information