The U.S. restaurant and food industry is far more than a collection of restaurants. It is part of a large economic ecosystem that includes food production, food science, hospitality, culinary arts, food safety, nutrition, supply chains, and entrepreneurship.
According to the National Restaurant Association, eating and drinking places are expected to directly contribute approximately $1.54 trillion in economic output in the United States in 2025. When indirect and induced effects are included, the industry’s total economic contribution is estimated at approximately $3.66 trillion, supporting millions of jobs and substantial labor income.
At the same time, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued employment growth across food-service occupations. Food and beverage serving and related occupations are projected to grow by 5% from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 1.16 million openings projected each year on average. Food service manager employment is also projected to grow by 6% from 2025 to 2035. For international professionals working in this industry, these trends can raise an important question:
Could your experience and expertise support a U.S. immigration strategy?
The answer depends on much more than working in the food or restaurant industry. It depends on the individual’s qualifications, achievements, proposed work in the United States, and the specific requirements of the immigration category being considered.
When people think about immigration and the restaurant industry, they may immediately think about chefs or restaurant employees. But the industry includes professionals working across a much broader range of fields, including:
The distinction matters because immigration eligibility is based on the person’s qualifications and the nature of their proposed work, not simply their industry or job title.
A chef with internationally recognized awards may have a very different immigration profile from a food scientist developing new food-safety technology. A restaurant entrepreneur expanding an innovative business model may have a different profile again. That is why an effective immigration strategy needs to start with the professional, not with a generic industry label.
The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) can be an option for certain professionals who qualify for the underlying EB-2 classification and can satisfy the requirements for a National Interest Waiver. Unlike a traditional employer-sponsored EB-2 case, an NIW can allow a qualified individual to seek a waiver of the job-offer and labor-certification requirements. For a food industry professional, the proposed endeavor might involve areas such as:
But simply describing an endeavor as “important to the U.S. food industry” is not enough. A strong NIW strategy needs to connect the person’s specific work, qualifications, proposed endeavor, and evidence to the legal requirements of the NIW.
The EB-1A Extraordinary Ability category may also be relevant to certain highly accomplished professionals in the culinary and food industries. Depending on the individual’s field and evidence, relevant accomplishments may include:
For a chef, for example, an immigration strategy might examine culinary awards, media coverage, participation in prestigious competitions, judging experience, leadership roles, original culinary contributions, and other evidence of recognition. For a food scientist, the evidence may look completely different and could involve research, publications, patents, citations, professional recognition, or significant contributions to the field. The same immigration category can therefore require a completely different evidence strategy depending on the profession.
Restaurant owners and food entrepreneurs can present another distinct type of immigration case. An entrepreneur may have created a restaurant concept, developed a food product, expanded a successful business, introduced an innovative operating model, or built a company with measurable economic impact. The right strategy depends on factors such as:
This is one reason it is important not to approach every restaurant owner or food entrepreneur with the same visa strategy.
The industry informs the strategy, but the individual’s evidence drives the case.
Choosing an immigration attorney is not only about finding someone who knows what an NIW or EB-1A is. For professionals with specialized careers, it can be important to work with an attorney who understands how to translate a professional record into an immigration strategy. At Zhang-Louie PLLC, the firm’s immigration team have extensive experience working with professionals pursuing employment-based immigration options. The firm does not approach these cases as one-size-fits-all applications. Instead, the team evaluates the individual’s education, professional history, achievements, proposed work, evidence, and long-term immigration goals to determine which strategy may best fit the person’s circumstances. For professionals in the restaurant and food industry, that means looking beyond the job title “chef,” “restaurant owner,” “food scientist,” or “food industry professional.”
The more important question is:
What has this person accomplished, what are they proposing to do in the United States, and how can those achievements and plans be presented within the requirements of the applicable immigration category?
If you are a restaurant or food industry professional exploring opportunities in the United States, understanding your potential immigration options early can help you make more informed decisions about your next step.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, policies, and procedures can change, and eligibility for any immigration category depends on the specific facts and evidence of each case. Working in an industry with high demand or significant economic importance does not by itself establish eligibility for a visa or green card. If you are considering an employment-based immigration option, consider speaking with a qualified immigration attorney about your individual circumstances.
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