How to Get Visa for Cooking Classes in USA | Full Guide

The United States is perhaps more recognised for its fast food culture than for its vast array of cuisines. No matter where you are in the U.S. – French pastries in New York, Tex-Mex in Texas, or soul food in the South, you will discover world-class culinary schools as well as short-term culinary programs.

Many international students, food lovers, and aspiring chefs dream of joining these programs. However, before registering for a cooking class in the United States, you will need the right visa.

If you have asked yourself: “will I need a visa to join cooking classes in the USA?” or “which visa is right for me – F-1, M-1, J-1 or a visitor’s visa?”, this full guide is just for you.

In this article, we have provided detailed information on how to get visa for cooking classes, the application requirements, documents, and cost.

Why Attend Culinary Classes in the US?

There are reasons students, aspiring chefs, and food enthusiasts from around the world are eager to attend culinary classes in US. Some of the common reasons include:

1. World-Class Culinary Schools

The culinary institutions are some of the very best in the world, and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Le Cordon Bleu locations in the U.S., and the Institute of Culinary Education are highly sought after by students from around the world. They offer education and training that are world-class.

2. Options for Flexible Learning: Short Programs and Bootcamps

Not everyone is looking for a full culinary degree. The US has many options for short-term culinary training, including intensive weekend programs, focused baking programs, and experiential education programs in cultural culinary traditions.

Major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago have hundreds of culinary schools and studios that offer programs that last from a few hours to a few weeks and can be adapted into your schedule.

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3. Cultural Diversity and Exposure

The United States is often referred to as a “melting pot” of cultures, and this is vividly illustrated in its food cultural landscape. When you are taking classes in the U.S., you are not only learning American cooking, but you will be exposed to a number of cuisines from authentic Italian pasta-making to Asian fusion cooking techniques.

4. Networking and myIndustry Connections

Culinary classes in the United States provide students with experiences to network with industry professionals. Whether meeting guest speakers, attending workshops, or getting involved with internships, students will create relationships with chefs, restaurant owners, and hospitality leaders.

5. Career Pathways and Practical Training

For the students pursuing advanced programs, studying in the United States can open up an avenue into professional culinary careers. Many hospitality programs do offer career support services and internships, and for international students, they have options to apply for “Optional Practical Training” (OPT) while on an F-1 Visa.

Types of Visas for Cooking Classes in the USA

When it comes to studying culinary arts in the United States, choosing the right visa is crucial. The visa you apply for will depend on the length, purpose, and type of cooking program you intend to pursue.

Some visas are best suited for short-term recreational workshops, while others are designed for full academic or professional culinary training. Below are the main visa options for cooking classes in the U.S.:

1. B-2 Tourist Visa (Short-Term Courses and Workshops)

If your intention is to attend a short cooking program—whether that means a cultural workshop, weekend baking course, intensive program, or few weeks of culinary training, a B-2 visitor visa should suffice.

Purpose: The B-2 visa is formally for tourism, enjoyment, or visiting family, but it also allows participants to take classes for non-degree educational and recreational purposes. Therefore, if you want to enjoy studying cooking while having a trip to the U.S., the B-2 is a good option for you.

Eligible Programs:

• 2-week Italian pasta-making class in New York.
• 1-month pastry bootcamp in Los Angeles.
• Saturday and/or Sunday barbecue and grilling courses/workshops in Texas.

There is one important caveat: The B-2 visa is not available for full-time study at a recognized and accredited culinary institution or programs that can earn academic course credits, or count toward a degree or diploma. Also, working on a B-2 visa is prohibited.

If your intention is to get a taste of the culinary culture in the U.S. and you are not ready for a long academic undertaking, the B-2 visa is recommended.

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2. F-1 Student Visa (For Full-Time Culinary Programs)

If you have ambitions that go beyond short workshops and want to work toward a professional culinary degree or diploma program, then an F-1 student visa option is probably the best guidance from our office.

Who Qualifies to Apply: You must be accepted to a school that is officially recognized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Many of the globally recognized culinary schools in the U.S. – Culinary Institute of America, Institute of Culinary Education, etc., are all SEVP approved ad recognized.

What Does it Allow: An F-1 visa allows an international student to attend full-time studies at and accredited school.

Working Regulations:

F-1 student visa holders cannot work off-campus during their first academic year.

On-campus jobs may sometimes be allowed, depending on certain conditions and/or circumstances.

Following completion of your program, you may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) status, which allows an international student to work in a U.S. kitchen or restaurant for up to 12 months, typically longer if the study program was an STEM program.

3. M-1 Vocational Student Visa (for Culinary Certifications and Technical Training)

The M-1 visa allows students to enroll in vocational or technical programs that are not academic in nature. This program is a perfect fit for many culinary schools in the US that offer hands-on and skills-based training programs.

Best Suited for: Programs that fall in the oven-ready category, such as certificates for baking, pastry arts, professional culinary certificates, or short duration diplomas.

Key Features:

The M-1 visa is work-focused, just as the F-1 visa, but is strictly vocational and technical curriculum-based, so it is different than the F-1 work purposes.

M-1 visa holders may pursue practical training (work experience) after they complete their program in their field after they have completed their academic program, however, the M-1 visa does NOT allow Optional Practical Training (OPT).

The maximum stay is usually related to the length of your program, and can be extended on a case-by-case basis for up to one year overall.

Example: A certificate in a 9-month professional pastry program from a vocational culinary institute.

An M-1 visa will work great for students looking to pursue specialized, short length culinary training programs as opposed to completing a full degree program such as an associate or bachelor degree program.

4. J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa (For Internships, Training, or Cultural Exchange)

The J-1 exchange visitor visa is another option if your cooking class is part of a cultural exchange program, professional training, or internship. Many U.S. hospitality and culinary institutions partner with international organizations to host students and professionals under J-1 status.

Best For: International chefs, culinary students, or hospitality professionals seeking practical exposure in the U.S. through structured exchange programs.

Key Features:

• J-1 visa holders may participate in internships, training programs, or cultural exchanges.
• The visa is typically granted for the duration of the exchange program (often but not always between 3 months and 18 months).
• In some cases, a two-year home-country residency requirement may apply after completing the program, meaning you must return home before you can apply for another U.S. visa type.

This visa is perfect for those who want international exposure and cross-cultural learning while making valuable connections in the industry.

5. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) – Short Trips Without a Visa

If you are a citizen of one of a limited number of countries, the VWP can offer a quick and easy way to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without applying for a regular visa. Individuals on the VWP actually use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA or the “e-Visa”) before traveling to the U.S.

Best For: Individuals who plan to be short-term tourists and want to add some cooking classes for leisure.

Key Features:

• You can only stay for no longer than 90 days for purposes of tourism, leisure, or business.
• You may attend short, non-degree classes on cooking, or culinary courses, or cultural classes.
• You’ll cannot take classes at a full-time academic or vocational culinary school.
• You cannot undertake any paid work.

Examples:

– A 1-week wine and cheese pairing class in California.

– A 2-day bread-making workshop in Chicago while on vacation.

The VWP is helpful for anyone looking for a quick and fun cooking experience in the U.S. for travel and not for long-term educational study.

How to Get Visa for Cooking Classes in USA

Applying for a U.S. visa to attend cooking classes can be a bit daunting at first glance, but taking it step-by-step can make the process much easier. The exact steps depend on what type of visa you will need based on the type of cooking program you will enter, but the general process is as follows:

Step 1: Choose Your Cooking Program

The very first step is to choose what type of cooking program you will attend. This will determine the visa you will need.

Short-term courses: If you are planning to join a recreational class, weekend workshop or a short culinary bootcamp, then the B-2 tourist visa (or if eligible, the Visa Waiver program) may be sufficient.

Vocational or non-academic programs: For technical or hands-on certifications, such as pastry arts or baking, you may need the M-1 vocational visa.

Full-time academic courses: If you will enroll in a full-time academic course at a culinary school, you will need the F-1 student visa.

Cultural exchange or internship programs: Finally if you are coming for an internship or structured training program, you may qualify for a J-1 exchange visa.

Step 2: Receive an Admission Offer

Before you can apply for a student visa (F-1 or M-1), you must first achieve admission into a culinary school in the United States.

To do this, complete an application for your desired program, as well as all of the documentation (i.e., transcripts, etc.) required for admission.

After review of your application, if accepted, the school will send you an acceptance letter.

In the case of applying for a F-1 or M-1 visa, the school will also send you Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status)—which is required for your visa application—in addition to the acceptance letter.

For purposes of applying for a J-1 visa, you would receive Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status) in lieu of Form I-20.

The acceptance letter is your portal to the visa process, as it states to U.S. authorities that you have a bona fide reason to study.

Step 3: Pay the SEVIS Fee (For F-1, M-1, and J-1 Only)

Students applying for either an F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a U.S. government database that tracks international students and exchange visitors.

Current SEVIS fees are:

• F-1 and M-1: $350
• J-1: $220

The fee is paid online and is non-refundable. You will receive a confirmation receipt that you are required to bring with you to your visa interview.

Step 4: Fill in the Visa Application Form (DS-160)

The DS-160 form is the required online application for a majority of Nonimmigrant Visa categories (e.g. B-2, F-1, M-1, J-1.)

Be sure to fill in the form accurately and completely indicating your personal information, travel, and education.

You will also have to upload a passport-style photo that satisfies the requirements for US visas (taken recently, with a light-colored background, no glasses can be worn)

When you have completed the DS-160 form, you will be given a DS-160 confirmation page with a barcode that needs to be printed and taken to your visa interview.

Step 5: Pay the Visa Application Fee

Once you have completed the DS-160 form, you will need to pay the non-refundable visa application fee. The processing fee depends on the type of visa you are applying for.

• B-2 Tourist visa: $185
• F-1/M-1 Student visa: $185 + SEVIS fee of $350
• J-1 Exchange visa: $185 + SEVIS fee of $220

Step 6: Schedule Visa Interview

Book at your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Step 7: Collect Necessary Documents

Usually you will need the following documents:

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival.
• Visa application confirmation (DS-160).
• (Application) fee payment receipt.
• Letter of admission or Form I-20 for student visas.
• Evidence of financial support (e.g. sponsor letter, bank statements).
• Evidence of employment, family, property, and other ties to your home country.
• Travel itinerary (if you are in a short course).

Step 8: Attend the visa interview

Be prepared to answer the following questions:

• Why did you choose to take cooking courses in the U.S.?
• How will you be funding your time in the U.S.?
• What do you plan to do after the completion of the program?

Step 9: Wait for a decision

Processing times vary from a few days to a few weeks.

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How much Does Cooking Classes Cost in the US?

When you examine, or look for, a cooking school anywhere in the United States, it will be helpful to get an idea of what education and living costs will be.

The total cost of the cooking school will vary based on the type of school, location of school, and also based on how the student live(s).

1. Short Course and Workshops (From $100 to $3000)

The cost is also much less expensive if students are taking weekend workshops, a class on a cultural style of cooking, or a short course or bootcamp. Once again, the cost will vary from school to school based on prestige, the length of the course, and their area of specialty.

Sample: A baking class in New York City will cost approximately $150 and will only be one day.

Sample: A two-week pasta course could be anywhere from $2000 to $3000. For these type of options, they may be excellent opportunities for travellers, and for foodies, to take advantage of culinary education without financial and time commitment.

2. Diploma Programs (6 months to 2 years): $10,000 to $30,000 (yearly)

If you are pursuing a career that will involve culinary course work, the cost will be drastically different because culinary course work will cost more money! Most diploma programs will have some related level of trade-related training, from pastry arts, to international cuisines, to culinary management.

3. Full-time Culinary Degrees: $30,000 – $60,000 per annum

If your choice is a Bachelor or Associate’s degree in either Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management, the cost typically is significantly higher.

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Johnson & Wales University, and others generally should prices range from $35,000 – $60,000 per academic year.

Other costs to expect are uniforms, knives, books, lab fees, and anything else that might be needed, which you can expect somewhere in the area of $2,000 – $5,000 per year in additional expenses.

These schools/programs may be for you if you are looking for an in-depth education, recognized in the industry, and thinking long-term of your career potential.

4. Visa Application and SEVIS Fees: $185 – $535

As an international student (other than J-1), besides tuition fees, the U.S. government and visa applicants/acceptors charge additional fees for processing the U.S. visa:

• B-2 visa: $185
• F-1/M-1 visa: $185 + a $350 SEVIS fee
• J-1 visa: $185 + a $220 SEVIS fee

These fees cannot be reimbursed whether or not you get a visa, and must be paid first to obtain an appointment for a U.S. visa interview.

FAQs

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Conclusion

Enrolling in cooking classes in the USA is an incredible opportunity to advance your culinary career and provide you a cultural experience. But, the process begins with obtaining the proper visa. You may take a short recreational course on a B-2 visa (non-immigrant), a full-time culinary degree program on an F-1 visa (non-immigrant) or enter a vocational cooking program on an M-1 visa (non-immigrant). You will want to understand those requirements regardless of your potential path.

By preparing in advance – determining which visa to apply for, obtaining the required documentation, and preparation for your interview – you will give yourself the best chances for success. The USA offers amazing opportunities for developing chefs, and with proper preparation you can make your culinary dreams a reality.

References

• Cambridgeculinary.com- Become a chef as international students
• Escoffier.edu- how-international students can take online culinary classes
• Educationusa.state.gov-apply-your-student-visa

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