Opt Travel: Days Allowed?

F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) can travel abroad, but there are risks and additional documentation to prepare. It is important to note that re-entry to the US is never guaranteed and the decision is made by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the US port of entry.

If your OPT application is pending, you can still travel internationally, but it is not recommended due to the risks involved. If your OPT application is denied while you are abroad, you will not be allowed to re-enter the US in F-1 status. Additionally, if your F-1 visa expires while you are outside the US, it is very difficult to renew it while your OPT application is pending.

If you decide to travel while your OPT application is pending, you will need the following documents to request re-entry to the US in F-1 status:

- A valid passport

- An unexpired F-1 visa (not required for Canadian citizens)

- Form I-20 with OPT recommendation and a valid travel signature (no older than six months)

- I-797 USCIS receipt notice of your OPT application

- Job offer letter or communication about interviews (if applicable)

Once 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. To re-enter the US, you will need:

- A valid passport

- An unexpired F-1 visa (not required for Canadian citizens)

- Form I-20 with OPT recommendation and a valid travel signature (no older than six months*)

- Your unexpired EAD card (with the notation not valid for reentry, which means additional documents are required)

- Proof of employment or evidence of your job search

Travel outside the US while on OPT is allowed, but there are risks

Firstly, it is important to note that travel while an OPT application is pending is generally not recommended and can be risky. OPT applications must be filed from inside the US, and a valid US mailing address must be provided for notices and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If an OPT application is approved while the applicant is outside the US, they may need their EAD for re-entry. If the application is denied while the applicant is outside the US, they will not be allowed re-entry in F-1 status, and their F-1 status will end. Additionally, if an applicant's F-1 visa is expired or will expire while they are outside the US, it can be very difficult to renew it while their OPT application is pending.

Even if an OPT application has been approved, there are still risks associated with international travel. Students must ensure they have all the required documentation for re-entry, including a valid passport, a valid F-1 visa stamp, a Form I-20 with a valid travel signature, and proof of employment or a job offer. If a student has exceeded the maximum OPT unemployment time (90 days for post-completion OPT and 150 days for the OPT and STEM extension combined), they may face issues returning to the US. Time spent outside the US during OPT may be considered unemployment unless the student is employed during a period of authorised leave or travelling as part of their employment. In this case, documentation from the employer certifying that the student has remained employed during their absence is required.

Furthermore, students who have applied for a change of status to H1-B, permanent resident, or any other immigration status should consult an immigration lawyer before making travel plans. Students utilising the Cap-Gap extension should not travel outside the US between the end of their EAD and the start of their H1-B visa, unless they are eligible to return with the H1-B visa stamp. Additionally, re-entering the US in a status other than F-1, such as a tourist, will invalidate F-1 status and OPT authorisation.

Finally, it is important to note that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the discretion to grant or deny admission to the US, and there have been reports of students on OPT having problems at ports of entry, being denied visas, or experiencing significant visa delays. Therefore, students should carefully review all travel guidance and requirements and consult with their airline and the relevant embassies or consulates before making any travel plans.

You can travel outside the US while your OPT application is pending, but there are risks

The OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies.

Travelling with a Pending OPT Application

It is possible to travel outside the US while your OPT application is pending, but there are some specific risks to be aware of. Firstly, it is your responsibility to understand these risks and decide whether to proceed with travel. Secondly, re-entry to the US is never guaranteed, and Customs and Border Protection officers have the authority to exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis.

To give yourself the best chance of a smooth re-entry to the US, ensure you have the correct documentation:

• A passport that is valid for at least six months after you plan to re-enter the US
• A valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport (this does not apply to Canadian citizens)
• I-20 with a travel signature no older than six months
• I-765 receipt notice (Form I-797). If you need to apply for a new F-1 visa while your OPT application is pending, be sure to have this document in addition to the standard visa application requirements
• If you have applied for a change of status to F-1, or your F-1 visa has expired, you will need to attend an F-1 visa interview and carry the I-797 change of status approval notice from USCIS
• If your OPT is approved while you are outside the US, you will need your OPT EAD card mailed to you so you can use it when returning to the US

Travelling with an Approved OPT Application

If your OPT application has been approved and you have a job or a job offer, you may leave and re-enter the US to begin or resume employment. Again, it is important to have the correct documentation to ensure a smooth re-entry:

• Passport that is valid for at least six months after you plan to re-enter the US
• Valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport (this does not apply to Canadian citizens)
• I-20 with a valid travel signature no older than six months
• Evidence that you have a job in the US or a job offer
• If you need to apply for a new F-1 visa, you should also have your EAD card and evidence of your job or job offer, in addition to the standard visa application requirements

If your OPT application is denied while you're outside the US, your F-1 status will end

In general, an F-1 student on post-completion OPT can travel outside the United States temporarily and be readmitted to resume their F-1 status and employment for the remainder of the period authorized on their EAD card. However, there are risks associated with travelling while an OPT application is pending. It is recommended that students wait until they receive their paper Receipt Notice from USCIS before travelling. Alternatively, students can request an electronic notification of USCIS receipt of their application, which is issued within a week of filing, and travel after receiving this confirmation.

If a student's OPT application is denied while they are outside the US and after their program completion date, their F-1 status will end, and they will not be able to re-enter or reapply. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the timing of travel plans in relation to the status of the OPT application.

For students who have received approval for their OPT application, specific documents are required for re-entry to the US. These include:

• A valid Form I-20, signed by an advisor within the last six months
• An unexpired passport
• An unexpired F-1 visa in the passport (not required for Canadian citizens)
• An OPT EAD issued by USCIS (although this alone is not valid for re-entry)
• Evidence of a job offer or resumption of employment

It is important to note that re-entering the US in a status other than F-1, such as a tourist, will invalidate F-1 status and OPT authorization. Therefore, students must ensure they have all the required documents and carefully consider the timing of their travel in relation to their OPT application status.

If you're on post-completion OPT, you can stay in the US for up to 60 days after

It's important to note that the grace period is only applicable if you haven't exceeded the allowed unemployment days during your OPT period. For post-completion OPT, you're allowed a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. If you exceed this limit, you're expected to leave the US, transfer to another school, or change your visa status before the 90th day.

Additionally, the timing of your travel during the OPT period is crucial. While you can travel during the OPT application process, it is not recommended as it poses certain risks. If you plan to travel internationally, you may not want to select your OPT start date during this time.

Furthermore, if you exit the US after your program completion without applying for OPT, you will be ineligible to return in F-1 status to apply for OPT. Therefore, it is crucial to plan your travel accordingly and ensure that you have all the necessary documents, such as your EAD card, valid passport, F-1 visa stamp, and I-20 form with employment information and a recent travel signature.

If you're on post-completion OPT, you can accrue up to 90 days of unemployment

During the post-completion OPT period, you must submit employment information to the SEVP Portal. For the first 12 months, the employment does not have to be paid, so self-employment, internships, or volunteering in a position directly related to your academic field would be considered employment. However, for the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, employment must be traditional paid employment.

If you're on post-completion OPT, you can travel outside the US temporarily and be readmitted to resume F-1 status and employment. However, you must not have exceeded the maximum OPT unemployment time of 90 days, and you must not have been absent from the US for more than 5 months. To re-enter the US, you will need the following documents:

• A valid EAD (Employment Authorization Document)
• I-20 with a travel signature signed within the last six months
• An unexpired F-1 visa (unless you are a Canadian citizen)
• Proof of employment or proof of your job search if you are unemployed

It's important to note that re-entering the US in a status other than F-1, such as a tourist, will invalidate your F-1 status and OPT authorization. Additionally, if your OPT application is denied while you are outside the US, you will not be able to re-enter or reapply, and your F-1 status will end. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not travel internationally until your OPT is approved and you have your EAD card.

Frequently asked questions