OPT Restaurant Assistant Manager Jobs

Restaurant Assistant Manager jobs are open to F-1 OPT students with degrees in hospitality management, food service management, or business administration. Your OPT work authorization covers full-time roles, and STEM OPT extensions don't apply here, so timing your job search before your OPT expires is critical.

See All OPT Restaurant Assistant Manager Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs89+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type100% On-site
Median Salary$32K
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsPanda Restaurant Group

Showing 5 of 89+ Restaurant Assistant Manager jobs

Perkins - Northcott Hospitality
Assistant Restaurant Manager
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Perkins - Northcott Hospitality
Added 1mo ago
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Perkins - Northcott Hospitality
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$40,000/yr - $46,000/yr
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
High School

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Four Seasons
Assistant Restaurant Manager
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Four Seasons
Added 1mo ago
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Four Seasons
Washington
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Hospitality Management
$68,000 - $78,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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Bass Pro Shops
Assistant Restaurant Manager
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Bass Pro Shops
Added 1mo ago
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Bass Pro Shops
Ridgedale, Missouri
Hospitality & Guest Services
Food Service
Hospitality Management
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

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Troon
Assistant Restaurant Manager
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Troon
Added 1mo ago
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Troon
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Hospitality & Guest Services
Customer Service & Support
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$55,000/yr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Assistant Restaurant Manager
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Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Added 1mo ago
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality Management
Customer Service
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
1,001-5,000

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See all 89+ Restaurant Assistant Manager Jobs

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Restaurant Assistant Manager

Target hospitality groups, not just individual restaurants

Large restaurant groups and hotel food and beverage divisions have HR infrastructure to handle OPT paperwork. A single-location independent restaurant may want to sponsor you but lack the resources to follow through on H-1B visa or other visa filings.

Frame your international background as an operational asset

Multilingual ability and cross-cultural guest service experience are genuinely valuable in restaurant management. Highlight specific languages spoken and markets you understand when applying to restaurants serving diverse clientele or operating in international hotel brands.

Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with hiring managers

Restaurant Assistant Manager roles often lead to H-1B sponsorship consideration after a trial period. Be direct about your current OPT end date so employers can evaluate whether the timeline aligns with their promotion and sponsorship planning cycles.

Pursue roles at employers with a history of H-1B filings

Some restaurant and hospitality companies have filed H-1B petitions for management roles before, which signals they understand the process. Employers familiar with sponsorship are far more likely to do it again than those encountering it for the first time.

Get ServSafe and relevant certifications before applying

ServSafe Manager certification, TIPS alcohol service training, and state food handler permits demonstrate operational readiness. Employers are more willing to invest in visa sponsorship for candidates who are already qualified to manage legally compliant restaurant operations.

Ask about management training programs at chain restaurants

National and regional restaurant chains often run formal management training pipelines with structured timelines. These programs are more likely to have established sponsorship pathways than ad hoc hiring, making them a practical starting point for OPT students.

Restaurant Assistant Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Restaurant Assistant Manager role qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization?

Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree. If you studied hospitality management, food service management, or business administration, a Restaurant Assistant Manager position is a qualifying match. You'll need to ensure your DSO has authorized the job under your OPT before your start date.

Can I work as a Restaurant Assistant Manager on a STEM OPT extension?

No. Restaurant and hospitality management is not a STEM-designated field, so STEM OPT extensions don't apply to these roles. You're limited to your initial 12-month OPT period. If you want to remain in the U.S. after that, you'll need an employer willing to sponsor you for an H-1B or another work visa before your OPT expires.

Do restaurant employers commonly sponsor visas for Assistant Manager roles?

Sponsorship is less common at independent restaurants but more realistic at large hospitality groups, hotel chains, and national restaurant brands with dedicated HR teams. These employers understand the H-1B process and have filed petitions for management roles before. Finding OPT-friendly employers in this field is easier when you use a focused job board like Migrate Mate, which filters for roles open to OPT candidates.

Can I work part-time as a Restaurant Assistant Manager on OPT?

Yes, OPT permits both full-time and part-time employment. However, USCIS requires OPT students to work at least 20 hours per week to remain in valid status. Restaurant management roles are typically full-time given the operational demands, but if you're in a reduced-hours arrangement, confirm with your DSO that it still satisfies the minimum requirement.

What happens to my OPT status if I'm laid off from a Restaurant Assistant Manager job?

You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance during your OPT period. If you're laid off, that clock starts immediately, so begin your job search right away. Notify your DSO, update your SEVIS record with the employment change, and document the gap. Exceeding 90 total days of unemployment puts your status at risk.