Traveling With Opt: Exploring The World Without Work

Travelling while on OPT status is possible but can be risky and is not generally recommended. If you are on OPT status and wish to travel, there are several factors to consider, including the status of your OPT application, whether you have a job or job offer, and the documents you need to carry. It is important to understand the risks involved and the specific documentation required for re-entry to the US.

Travel before your I-20 program end date

If you are planning to travel before your I-20 program end date, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Firstly, it is important to know the expiration date of your I-20, which can be found in the “Program of Study” section on the first page of the form. Your I-20 must be valid during your period of enrollment, and if it expires, you must either transfer to a different school, leave the country, or get it renewed.

If you are still enrolled in your program and will return before the end date, your re-entry will be based on your student status. If your OPT application is pending or approved, it will not impact your travel. However, if you return to the US in another status, such as a tourist, it will invalidate your F-1 status and OPT authorization.

Before travelling, ensure you have the necessary documents, which may include:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date.
• A valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport (not required for Canadian citizens).
• Form I-20 with a recent travel signature (valid for six months).
• Evidence of employment or a job offer letter.
• I-797 USCIS receipt notice of your OPT application.

Additionally, be sure to review any CDC requirements and those of your airline carrier. While travelling with a pending OPT application carries certain risks, having the necessary documentation will give you the best chance of re-entering the US smoothly.

Travel after your I-20 program end date while OPT application is pending

It is generally not recommended to travel internationally while your OPT application is pending. If you travel before your I-20 program end date, your re-entry will be based on your return as a current student. However, if you travel after your I-20 program end date, there are several risks involved. Firstly, if your OPT application is returned, rejected, or denied while you are abroad, you will not be able to re-enter the US in F-1 status to re-apply. Secondly, if your OPT is approved while you are outside the US, you may be expected to have your EAD (Employment Authorization Document) for re-entry. Finally, if your OPT is denied while outside the US, you will not be allowed re-entry in F-1 status.

If you still decide to travel, it is recommended to enter through JFK or Newark airport, and you will need the following items to request re-entry to the US in F-1 status:

• Unexired F-1 visa (except for Canadians who are exempt from the visa requirement)
• I-20 with OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature (signature valid for six months when on OPT)
• I-797 USCIS receipt notice of your OPT application
• If you have a job offer or interview appointments set up, bring a job offer letter or communication about interviews

If your OPT application is approved and you have your EAD card, you may travel internationally and request entry into the US in F-1 status both before and after the start date on your EAD card. In addition to the documents listed above, you will need proof of employment that you will begin or resume upon your return, such as proof of payment or a letter from your employer. If you do not have proof of employment, bring evidence of your job search.

Travel after I-20 program end date and OPT approval

Travelling after your I-20 program end date while your OPT application is pending is not recommended. If you do choose to travel, you will need the following documents to re-enter the US:

• An unexpired F-1 visa (Canadian citizens are exempt from this requirement)
• I-20 with OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature (signature valid for six months when on OPT)
• I-797 USCIS receipt notice of your OPT application
• If you have a job offer or interview appointments set up, bring a job offer letter or communication about interviews with you

If your OPT application is rejected while you are outside of the US, you will not be able to re-enter in F-1 status.

Once your OPT application has been approved, you may travel internationally and request entry into the US in F-1 status. You will need the following documents:

• An unexpired F-1 visa (Canadian citizens are exempt from this requirement)
• I-20 with OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature (signature valid for six months when on OPT)
• Unexpired EAD card (EAD has notation "not valid for reentry" which means the card on its own is not sufficient without the other documents listed here)
• Proof of employment that you will begin or resume upon return from your trip, such as proof of payment or a letter from your employer. If you do not have proof of employment, bring evidence of your job search.

Travel on a Cap-Gap extension

An F-1 student can travel outside the US during the Cap-Gap extension period, but there are several conditions that must be met for readmission in F-1 status:

• The student's H-1B petition and request for a change of status must be approved.
• The student must seek readmission before their H-1B employment begins (usually at the start of the fiscal year on October 1).
• The student must be otherwise admissible.

However, if an F-1 student travels outside the US while the H-1B petition and the change of status request are still pending, the request for a change of status will be considered abandoned.

Even if all the above requirements are met, a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will make the final determination on whether to admit an applicant for admission after inspection at a port of entry. F-1 students may refer to the DHS Study in the States page for a list of the documents needed to confirm eligibility for F-1 status.

It is important to note that travelling outside the US may interfere with the processing of the H-1B petition. Therefore, students are advised to consult with their employers and the legal counsel processing the H-1B regarding all travel plans before departing the US.

F-2 Dependents of Students on OPT

F-2 visa status is granted to the spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of F-1 students. Dependents are allowed to stay in the U.S. for the duration of the F-1 student's study, including any post-completion OPT/AT time. F-2 visa holders are not allowed to work or have any kind of employment in the U.S. but they can volunteer as long as it is a bona fide volunteer position. F-2 children may engage in full-time study if it is at the kindergarten to 12th-grade level. F-2 adult children and spouses can enrol in recreational courses or part-time degree-seeking programs, but full-time study in a degree-seeking program is prohibited in F-2 status. If an F-2 visa holder wishes to study full-time in a degree-seeking program, they will need to obtain their own F-1 status.

To add a dependent to an F-1 record, the following steps must be taken:

• Scan of the dependent's biographical data passport page(s)
• Proof of financial resources sufficient to support the dependent for the next year or the remainder of the student's studies, whichever is shorter. The financial documentation can be in the dependent's name, but the dependent must submit a sponsor letter stating that the funds are available to the F-1 student.

Once the above documentation is received, the student will be given a new I-20/DS-2019 showing their updated financial information, as well as the dependent I-20/DS-2019 within one week. The F-2 dependent I-20 must be signed by the student, not the dependent. For J-2 dependents under the age of 14, the DS-2019 must be signed by the J-1 student; J-2 dependents over the age of 14 can sign their own DS-2019. Give your dependent the I-20/DS-2019 in addition to other information required by the embassy for the issuance of the F-2/J-2 visa. Please note that Canadian citizens do not need U.S. entry visas.

It is acceptable to go through the process to add a dependent spouse to an F-1 record before marriage. However, the marriage certificate must be in hand by the time the dependent applies for the visa, or for Canadian citizens, when they enter the U.S.

Frequently asked questions