The United States has a flourishing hospitality industry, catering to both city-dwellers seeking a night out and adventurers seeking a mountain retreat. The industry has provided countless newcomers from different countries with employment and career growth opportunities.
As a foreigner and hospitality graduate, you have an opportunity to participate in a training or internship program in the US. However, it takes a lot of work to obtain a hospitality job and visa in the US as a foreigner. This is where we’re going to guide you and make it easier for you to understand the overall process.
Hospitality jobs in the US or Europe are diverse and encompass a range of roles in food and beverage service in fine-dining restaurants. The industry also encompasses positions in lodging and recreation. With such a broad array of opportunities available, you can dive straight into the section that interests you most. From getting certified as a professional chef to managing restaurant operations, there are plenty of options out there if you know where to look.
Let’s find out what you need to do to get the right hospitality training program in the US.
Landing Hospitality Jobs or Training programs in the US as a foreigner
If you go online and search for hospitality jobs in a particular region, you’ll come across numerous opportunities. However, it’s critical to find opportunities that are designed specifically for international graduates and students. Here is a quick overview of what you need to do to find and secure the right opportunity with ease:
1. Search J1 hospitality placements in the US
The first step is to do some research and find out what suitable jobs are currently available. While you can visit platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn to browse through opportunities, platforms like HRC International will help you find the perfect opportunities. All you need to do is to visit the website and search for a placement in the correct category. For example, they categorize hospitality training for foreigners into six broad categories:
- Kitchen & Chef
- Front Desk & Room
- Boutique Hotel
- Food & Beverage
- Stand-Alone Restaurant
- Chain Hotel
You can select your category and find out all the available opportunities and their requirements. Every placement is likely to have a different requirement. So, make sure to read the job description and requirements before you hit the “Apply Now” button.
2. Find a J1 Hospitality Visa Sponsor
You might be wondering what a J-1 Visa Sponsor is. A J-1 visa sponsor is an organization that the US State Department has approved to issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.
Now, why do you need a sponsor? You can only schedule an interview with your Embassy once you have received a certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor status from your J-1 visa sponsor. Your Embassy will be the one that ultimately issues your visa, and they will only do that after the interview.
The next question is how to find a J-1 Visa Sponsor. Suppose you’re looking for hospitality or teaching jobs in the US as a foreigner. In that case, you can reach out to HRC International: they are one of the approved J1 hospitality and teacher visa sponsors.
HRC International provides a range of J1 visa placements that offer specialized internships and training programs in different cities throughout the US. This is an ideal option if you’re looking for short-term positions with potential long-term benefits, such as learning English while gaining experience in the hospitality sector.
3. Apply for the position you like
Work with a designated J1 sponsor like HRC International. They will help you throughout the process, from finding the proper placement to providing comprehensive assistance throughout your stay in the US. The first step is to apply for the position you see fit. All you need to do at this point is create your profile and submit your application and CV through HRC’s website.
4. Gather your documents
Obtaining a US training visa is a process that involves detailed documentation. As a foreigner, you need to provide certain documents to establish your case and get visa approval. Here are some essential documents you need to apply for the J1 visa:
- Passport
- Resume/CV
- Proof of educational qualifications
- Training plan
- Medical insurance
- Application fee payment proof
Your host employer, sponsor organization, and Embassy can ask for more documents based on your unique situation. The prime objective here is to authenticate your identity, validate your intentions, and confirm your previous experience.
Throughout the visa application process, your sponsor will guide you and inform you of the necessary documents.
5. Prepare for interview
After you gather and submit all the documents, your sponsor will provide you with a Form DS-209. With this document, you can then apply for the visa. The following essential part of your application process is the embassy interview. It’s the last hurdle you need to overcome. So, make sure to spend some time preparing for the interview.
The consulate officer wants to confirm that you meet the program requirements, as well as ensure that you intend to return to your home country after the program.
You have to communicate that the placement offer is for training and cultural exchange, not immigration and that it will help you acquire specific skills that are not available in your home country. The interview may be brief, but you may have to wait a while before receiving your visa.
Websites for Finding Hospitality Staff and Jobs
In addition to HospitalityJobs, there are several other job boards with a similar focus, including:
HCareers
Owned by Virgil Holdings, Inc. and based in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, the HCareers platform provides job listings for hospitality companies worldwide. The platform has a history that dates back to 1998 and is notable for using AI-powered solutions to match suitable candidates with the right jobs.
Hosco
The Hosco online platform is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and offers employers the ability to post job advertisements and candidates the ability to apply for jobs online. These jobs are located worldwide, although Hosco has two of its three main European offices and is mainly focused on European hospitality companies.
HospitalityOnline
HospitalityOnline can be traced back to 1998 and has its head office in Seattle, Washington, in the United States. In addition to its primary job board functionality, it is recognized for some of its more data-driven offerings, including behavioral assessments, which help employers focus on candidates with the right qualities.
Caterer
Owned by Totaljobs Group, Caterer initially emphasized restaurant positions more than most job boards, including HospitalityJobs, which is still a significant area of focus. However, the platform has expanded to focus on other hospitality roles, providing job advertisements and the option for candidates to upload their CVs.
Conclusion
The US hospitality and leisure job market is thriving, with the industry accounting for 15.1 million employees and more than 1.82 million jobs. As someone looking to join this buzzing sector as a foreigner, you are in luck. With hundreds of training opportunities available across various states – from entry-level roles such as waiters or housekeepers to managerial positions – there’s something suitable out there no matter your experience level.