In the coming decade, the restaurant industry in the United States is expected to grow exponentially. However, currently, the industry is plagued by labor shortages and high turnover rates. There is an unwillingness to keep a long-term job in the food industry among American workers. Also, the current workforce is aging and will soon have to retire from the industry.
One of the ways US employers in the foodservice industry can fill these labor shortages is via the EB-3 Visa. The EB-3 Visa is an expedited way for foreign workers of skill levels to apply for US Permanent Residence.
Who Is Eligible for an EB-3 Visa?
To be eligible for the EB-3 Visa, applicants must be fluent in the English language and have at least a high school diploma and a college degree. The EB-3 Visa also allows the hiring of foreign workers for unskilled positions regardless of their skill level. It allows foreign workers to apply for US permanent residence provided they have an employment letter.
Why Are Foreign Workers Required in the Restaurant Industry?
Foreign workers have always been the backbone of the food, service, and hospitality industries in the US. Before the pandemic, almost 25% of all food service workers and 31% of all cooks and chefs were foreign-born, according to the statistics from the New American Economy.
Foreign workers across the country help small and big restaurants to operate. As the American economy recovers from the effects of the pandemic, the demand for foreign workers will also increase. The pandemic negatively impacted the restaurant industry. In 2020, their industry sales were about 240 million less than expected. The people employed by the restaurant industry were also 3.1 million less than expected at 12.5 million.
The only way to ensure a steady stream of available workers to keep the revenue and operations going is by taking advantage of the EB-3 Visa program. According to the National Restaurant Association, the industry is expected to grow in the coming decade, meaning more employment opportunities for American and foreign workers.
In the next decade, the restaurant industry is expected to add 1.8 million vacancies in the job market, resulting in a 14% increase in the workforce. American workers in the industry are expected to increase by 10% in the coming decade, therefore, labor shortages can only be met by foreign workers.
