OPT Project Manager Jobs

Project Manager roles are among the more OPT-friendly options for F-1 students with business, engineering, or operations backgrounds. Most positions fall under specialty occupation criteria, and STEM OPT extensions apply when the role sits within a STEM-designated program. Cap-gap coverage keeps you protected if H-1B visa sponsorship follows.

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Overview

Open Jobs9,652+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type85% On-site
Median Salary$99K
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsWalmart

Showing 5 of 9,652+ Project Manager jobs

Sodexo
Project Manager
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Sodexo
New 14h ago
Project Manager
Sodexo
Bethesda, Maryland
Project & Program Management
Procurement & Supply Chain
Data Science & Analytics
Project Management
Supply Chain
Data Analytics
$74,290/yr - $115,500/yr
Remote (US)
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Northwell Health
Project Manager
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Northwell Health
New 14h ago
Project Manager
Northwell Health
Lake Success, New York
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Frontend Engineering
Software Engineering
$70,470/yr - $116,870/yr
Remote (US)
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of Mississippi Medical Center
Project Manager II
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University of Mississippi Medical Center
New 18h ago
Project Manager II
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Hybrid
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Tufts University
Project Manager
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Tufts University
New 18h ago
Project Manager
Tufts University
Texas
Project & Program Management
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
Project Management
$79,600/yr - $119,500/yr
Hybrid
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Johnson Controls
Controls Project Manager
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Johnson Controls
New 19h ago
Controls Project Manager
Johnson Controls
Calumet City, Illinois
Project & Program Management
Business Operations
Customer Service & Support
Project Management
$80,000/yr - $115,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Project Manager

Target industries with established OPT pipelines

Tech, consulting, construction, and healthcare IT regularly hire OPT Project Managers. These industries have internal immigration infrastructure, making OPT authorization and eventual H-1B visa sponsorship significantly less friction-heavy than smaller or less visa-experienced employers.

Frame your degree as directly tied to the role

USCIS requires a specialty occupation connection between your degree and the job. A business, engineering, or CS degree maps cleanly. Be ready to explain that connection clearly in your resume, cover letter, and any employer conversations about work authorization.

Get PMP or CAPM certified before applying

Certification signals professional credibility and removes doubt about your qualifications. For OPT students competing against candidates without authorization complexity, a recognized credential like PMP or CAPM gives hiring managers a concrete reason to move forward with sponsorship.

Raise OPT early, not after an offer

Bringing up work authorization mid-process creates friction. Mention it early, briefly, and confidently. Employers who are open to OPT students appreciate the directness. Those who are not will filter themselves out, saving time for both sides of the process.

Prioritize roles with defined project ownership

Positions where you lead a project end-to-end are easier to defend as specialty occupations than generalist coordinator roles. When evaluating job descriptions, look for titles and responsibilities that require a specific degree field, not just organizational or administrative experience.

Use your OPT period to build a documented track record

Employers sponsoring H-1B visas want evidence of impact, not just tenure. During your OPT, document projects delivered, budgets managed, and teams led. A concrete portfolio makes the sponsorship conversation much easier when your OPT period approaches its end.

Project Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do Project Manager roles qualify as specialty occupations for OPT and H-1B purposes?

Most do, but the job description matters. USCIS looks for roles that theoretically and practically require a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Project Manager positions in tech, engineering, or healthcare IT typically qualify. Generalist roles where any degree satisfies the requirement are harder to support. Review the job description carefully before applying.

Can I use my STEM OPT extension as a Project Manager?

Yes, if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field and the Project Manager role is within a STEM occupation category. Operations research, industrial engineering, and certain IT management roles fall under STEM SOC codes. Confirm that both your degree program CIP code and the job's SOC code align before relying on STEM OPT eligibility.

Where can I find Project Manager jobs that sponsor OPT students?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers with a demonstrated history of sponsoring work visas. Browsing Project Manager listings on Migrate Mate lets you focus on companies already familiar with OPT and H-1B processes, rather than screening hundreds of postings where sponsorship is uncertain.

How do I handle the work authorization question on job applications?

Select that you are authorized to work in the U.S. for a limited time. When asked if you require sponsorship, be accurate about your situation. OPT is employer-authorized work, not employer-sponsored in the H-1B sense, but many application forms conflate the two. If there is a notes field, a brief clarifying sentence prevents confusion later in the process.

What should I do if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?

If your employer filed an H-1B petition before your OPT expired and the petition is pending or approved, cap-gap protection extends your OPT authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working without interruption. Coordinate your employer's filing timeline carefully so the petition is submitted well before your OPT end date.