Hotel Cook & Kitchen Helper Jobs in Dubai (2026): Visa Requirements, Duties, Pay, and How to Get Hired

Dubai’s hospitality scene keeps expanding in 2026—from five-star resorts to bustling cloud kitchens. That growth fuels continuous demand for cooks, commis chefs, line cooks, pastry assistants, kitchen helpers, and stewards. This guide explains visa rules, job duties, skills, pay ranges, worker rights, and a safe hiring process so you can land a role without risking scams or immigration issues.

Why Dubai Is a Hotspot for Hospitality Careers in 2026

• Constant hotel & F&B openings (resorts, beach clubs, theme restaurants, catering, airline kitchens).

• International teams, modern kitchens, and clear career ladders from commis to chef de partie and beyond.

• Competitive packages: many employers offer accommodation/transport/food, medical insurance, and tips/service charge.

Visa Rules for Cooks & Kitchen Helpers: What “Free Visa” Really Means

You’ll see ads promising a “free visa.” In Dubai, that typically means the employer pays your work permit and residence costs—not that you can work without a visa.

Legal Path: Employer-Sponsored UAE Work Permit

1. Offer Letter & MOHRE Contract (registered with UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation).

2. Work Entry Permit issued by immigration.

3. Medical test & Emirates ID biometrics, then Residence Visa stamping.

4. You receive Emirates ID—this is your legal proof to live and work.

You cannot legally work on a tourist/visit visa.

Tourist/Visit Visas: What You Can & Can’t Do

• You may attend interviews, but you cannot start paid work.

• If hired, the company should change your status and sponsor your work visa before you start.

Status Change Inside the UAE

Already in Dubai? Many employers complete an inside-country status change (no exit trip) and convert you to a residence/work visa.

Kitchen Roles Explained (Titles & Growth Path)

Entry to Mid Roles

• Kitchen Helper / Steward – cleaning, dishwashing, waste segregation, basic prep.

• Commis II / Commis I – prep, station work, following recipes, portioning.

• Demi Chef de Partie (DCDP) – runs a sub-section, mentors commis.

Senior Culinary Roles

• Chef de Partie (CDP) – fully responsible for a section (grill, cold, pastry).

• Sous Chef / Head Chef – menu development, ordering, HACCP oversight, training.

Stewarding & BOH Support

• Deep cleaning, pot wash, PPE use, chemical handling logs, recycling & waste control.

Job Description & Daily Duties

Cook / Commis / Line Cook Responsibilities

• Mise en place: wash, cut, marinate, label & date.

• Station execution: grill/saute/fry/bake per SOPs and portion sizes.

• Quality control: taste checks, plating consistency, temperature logs.

• Inventory & ordering: report low stock; follow FIFO.

• Cleaning schedules: end-shift sanitation, equipment care.

Kitchen Helper / Steward Responsibilities

• Dishwashing & sanitation (rinse/wash/rinse-sanitize-air dry cycle).

• Floor & drain cleaning, grease trap checks, waste segregation.

• Assisted prep: peeling, basic cuts, clean storage areas.

• Receiving support: check temperatures, damages, expiry dates.

Food Safety, Hygiene & HACCP Basics

• Maintain chill chain, correct holding temperatures, color-coded cutting boards.

• Always label/date; use gloves/hairnets; follow allergen procedures.

• Record fridge/freezer temperatures and hot-holding per logbook.

Skills & Qualifications Employers Prefer in 2026

• Food Safety training (e.g., Level 2, Person-In-Charge (PIC) basics).

• HACCP awareness and allergen control.

• Knife skills, speed & consistency; basic baking/pastry for some outlets.

• Communication & teamwork in diverse brigades; ability to work shifts & weekends.

• Experience: 6–24 months for commis; 2–4 years for CDP/DCDP.

• Education: High-school minimum; culinary diplomas help but are not mandatory for entry roles.

Contracts, Hours, Benefits & Worker Rights

• Contract type: fixed-term, registered with MOHRE.

• Hours: typically up to 48 hours/week; overtime paid per UAE law.

• Weekly rest: at least one day off.

• Probation: up to 6 months (paid).

• Medical insurance: mandatory in Dubai—usually employer-provided.

• Annual leave & public holidays as per law.

• End-of-service gratuity (based on service length) when leaving employment.

• Accommodation/transport/meal: often provided for kitchen staff—check your offer letter.

Always keep copies of your contract, passport, Emirates ID, and visa pages.

Pay & Allowances: Realistic 2026 Ranges

(Indicative monthly figures; vary by hotel grade, location, and benefits package.)

• Kitchen Helper / Steward: AED 1,600–2,300 (often incl. food/transport/accommodation).

• Commis II / Commis I: AED 2,200–3,500 (+ tips/service charge where applicable).

• DCDP / CDP: AED 3,500–6,500+ (brand & experience dependent).

Packages may include duty meals, uniforms, laundry, medical, annual ticket allowance, and service charge.

Step-by-Step: Safest Way to Get Hired

If You’re Outside the UAE

1. Prepare a focused CV (station skills, cuisines, HACCP course, references).

2. Apply to reputable hotels & groups (brand careers pages, verified recruiters).

3. Interview & offer letter. Verify company details before sending documents.

4. Employer processes your work entry permit.

5. Travel to Dubai on the company’s instruction; complete medical + biometrics.

6. Residence visa stamped → start work legally.

If You’re Already in the UAE

1. Attend interviews on a valid visit/tourist visa (no paid work yet).

2. After offer, employer files status change and work permit.

3. Do not start duty until the work visa process is underway as instructed by HR.

Red Flags & Risks to Avoid

• “Start work on tourist visa”—illegal; can lead to fines, deportation, and bans.

• “Pay for job” or “buy a visa”—unlawful; genuine employers sponsor you.

• Unclear contracts—insist on a written MOHRE contract before traveling.

• Passport confiscation—not permitted; employers may take copies, not hold originals (except for brief processing).

• Fake agencies—no physical address, no trade license, personal bank transfers.

• Overstay—daily fines and future visa complications.

When in doubt, use a professional visa service to verify documents and timelines.

Apply for the Right UAE Visa with Experts

Whether you’re flying in for interviews or an employer has asked you to change status inside the UAE, we’ll help you pick the correct visa route, avoid mistakes, and keep everything compliant.

👉 Apply for your Dubai Visa with DubaiVisitorVisa.com — fast processing, verified documentation, and expert support from start to stamp.
Ready to move your kitchen career to Dubai in 2026? Let’s do it right—safely and legally.