OPT Server Jobs

Server jobs on OPT are available at restaurants, hotels, and catering companies that routinely hire international students. Most server roles are hourly with tip income, so confirm your employer can provide proper OPT employment verification documentation. STEM OPT extensions don't apply to this field.

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Overview

Open Jobs486+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type100% On-site
Median Salary$16K
Top LocationAtlanta, GA
Most JobsWaffle House

Showing 5 of 486+ Server jobs

Dave & Buster's
Server
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Dave & Buster's
Added 1w ago
Server
Dave & Buster's
Long Beach, California
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Cleaning & Housekeeping
Hospitality Management
$35,192 - $35,192/yr
On-Site
Associate's

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Montage Deer Valley, LLC
Server
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Montage Deer Valley, LLC
Added 1w ago
Server
Montage Deer Valley, LLC
Pendry Park City, Utah
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Hospitality Management
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

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Otterbein University
Server
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Otterbein University
Added 3w ago
Server
Otterbein University
Granville, Ohio
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Cleaning & Housekeeping
Hospitality Management
Not listed
On-Site
High School

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Four Seasons
Server
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Four Seasons
Added 3w ago
Server
Four Seasons
Lāna‘i City, Hawaii
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Hospitality Management
$18/hr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Starr Insurance Holdings
Server
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Starr Insurance Holdings
Added 3w ago
Server
Starr Insurance Holdings
Brewster, New York
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Server

Confirm employer OPT compliance upfront

Before accepting any server position, ask whether the employer can provide a formal offer letter listing your job title, hours, and start date. Many small restaurants aren't familiar with OPT paperwork requirements, so clarifying early prevents problems later.

Track your hours carefully

OPT requires you to work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid status. Restaurant schedules fluctuate, so monitor your weekly hours closely and communicate with your manager if you're consistently being scheduled below that threshold.

Get employment verification in writing

Your DSO needs documentation confirming your employer name, job title, and hours worked. Request a formal letter or signed employment verification form from your restaurant's manager or HR contact before your OPT start date to avoid reporting delays.

Report employer changes to your DSO immediately

Switching restaurants or catering employers requires updating your employment record in SEVP within 10 days. Failing to report a job change, even temporarily, puts your OPT authorization at risk regardless of how quickly you find new work.

Understand how tip income affects your tax obligations

Server income includes both wages and tips, both of which are taxable. As an F-1 student, you're typically a nonresident alien for tax purposes, so consult IRS Publication 519 and consider whether your country has a U.S. tax treaty.

Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly employers

Not every restaurant or hospitality employer understands OPT authorization requirements. Migrate Mate filters server job listings to surface employers already open to hiring international students, saving you from repeated rejections based on work authorization status.

Server OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a server on OPT?

Yes, you can work as a server on OPT as long as the position is related to your field of study. This is an important distinction: OPT requires your job to be directly tied to the major listed on your I-20. If your degree is in hospitality, food service management, or a related field, a server role qualifies. A server job won't qualify OPT for an unrelated degree like computer science.

Does a server job qualify for STEM OPT extension?

No, server roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. STEM OPT is limited to graduates of qualifying STEM degree programs working in occupations directly tied to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Hospitality and food service roles are not on the STEM designated degree program list, so standard OPT's 12-month limit applies.

What documentation does my restaurant employer need to hire me on OPT?

Your employer needs your EAD card, which serves as proof of work authorization, along with your passport and any standard I-9 documentation. Many smaller restaurants aren't familiar with OPT specifically, so it helps to explain that your EAD is a federal work authorization card issued by USCIS. You'll also need a formal offer letter from them for your DSO to update your SEVP record.

How do I find server jobs open to OPT students?

Most general job listings don't filter by work authorization type, making it time-consuming to identify which employers are open to OPT candidates. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces hospitality and food service roles from employers already familiar with international student hiring. Browsing there is significantly more efficient than applying broadly and filtering rejections manually.

What happens to my OPT if my restaurant cuts my hours below 20 per week?

If your scheduled hours consistently fall below 20 per week, you risk falling out of compliance with OPT's minimum employment requirement. Occasional slow weeks aren't automatically a violation, but a sustained pattern can be. Contact your DSO if your hours drop significantly. You may need to find a second qualifying employer to maintain your required weekly hours and protect your status.