Opt Travel: Can International Students Leave The Usa?

International students on OPT can travel outside the USA, but there are several risks and complications to be aware of. Students should be aware that they may face issues with re-entry, and that time spent outside the US may be considered unemployment unless they are employed during their period of leave or travelling as part of their employment. Students should also be aware that they may be questioned by a Customs and Border Protection officer when seeking entry to the US, and that they will need to have all the required documents for re-entry.

Required documents for re-entry

International students on OPT are allowed to travel outside the USA, but they must have the correct documents to re-enter.

• A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity.
• A valid F-1 student visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens). If the F-1 visa has expired, a new one must be obtained before re-entering the USA.
• A valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an advisor in the HIO (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of re-entry to the USA).
• A valid EAD card.
• Evidence of a job offer or evidence of resumption of employment.
• Printed paystubs or an employment verification document.

Students who decide to travel while their OPT application is pending are strongly discouraged from leaving the USA until they have received the I-797 receipt notice, which they should bring with them as proof that an application has been submitted. Although the receipt notice is a good substitution, admission into the USA is ultimately at the discretion of the CBP officer.

Additionally, students must not have exceeded the maximum OPT unemployment or OPT STEM Extension unemployment time and must not have been absent from the USA for more than five months.

OPT application status

International students on OPT are permitted to travel outside the US, but they must have the necessary documents for re-entry. This includes a valid Form I-20, signed by an advisor, a valid F-1 visa, and evidence of employment. It is also recommended that students have someone monitor their mail for any communications from USCIS while they are abroad.

When to apply for OPT:

The earliest date USCIS can receive your OPT application is 90 days before completing your one full academic year of enrollment. The latest date USCIS should receive your OPT application is 90 days before your employment offer start date. The earliest date is also 90 days before your date of program completion, and the latest date is 60 days after your date of program completion. USCIS must receive your OPT application no later than 30 days from the date your new I-20 was issued.

Processing times:

The ISS processing time is typically up to 15 business days, and the USCIS processing time is usually up to 5 months to receive your EAD card.

Documents required for re-entry:

• A valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an advisor in the HIO (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of re-entry to the US)
• A valid F-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens)
• Evidence of employment, such as printed pay stubs or an employment verification document

It is important to note that travelling while an OPT application is pending is generally not recommended, as there may be additional risks and documentation required. Students have reported problems at ports of entry, visa delays, and denials. If a student's F-1 visa has expired and they wish to travel outside the US, they must obtain a new F-1 visa before re-entering.

Visa renewal

To renew your F-1 or J-1 visa, you must first complete the DS-160 online visa application. You will then need to schedule an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which you can do by visiting their website. It is generally recommended that you apply for a visa renewal in your home country, but it may be possible to do so in a third-party country. However, this process may be more rigorous and require additional processing time.

If you are renewing a visa in the same classification within 12 months of the prior visa's expiration, you may be eligible for an interview waiver. However, in-person interviews may still be required on a case-by-case basis. After your interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing, and you may need to pay a visa issuance fee, depending on your nationality.

If your F-1 visa has expired and you are on OPT, you must obtain a new F-1 visa before re-entering the U.S. You will need to provide an EAD card and proof of employment. It is important to note that if you are denied an OPT extension while outside the U.S., you will not be able to re-enter or reapply, and your F-1 status will end.

Additionally, if you have exceeded the maximum days of unemployment while on your OPT, you may be considered out-of-status. During the post-completion OPT period, you are permitted to have no more than 90 days total of unemployment. If you are on a STEM extension, this limit increases to 150 days during the total 3-year OPT period. Time spent outside the U.S. during OPT may be considered unemployment unless you are employed during a period of authorized leave or travelling as part of your employment.

Employment status

International students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) are allowed to work in the United States, but their employment authorization is subject to strict conditions and time limits. OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major area of study, and they must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) to work. Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies. However, transferring to another school or starting a new level of study will result in the automatic termination of their OPT employment authorization.

For F-1 students, OPT employment is available in two ways: pre-completion and post-completion. Pre-completion OPT requires students to have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year at an ICE-certified educational institution. Post-completion OPT is available after completing academic studies. Students on pre-completion OPT are considered enrolled students and follow the same travel procedures as F-1 students. They can travel abroad temporarily (less than five months) and re-enter the US to continue employment. However, they must carry the required documentation, as outlined on the OIE's Travel Guidance Website.

Students on post-completion OPT are permitted a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. If a student exceeds the maximum unemployment days and then attempts to re-enter the US, they may face issues. Time spent outside the US during post-completion OPT is considered unemployment unless the student is employed during authorized leave or travelling as part of their employment. Students on post-completion OPT must provide evidence of a job offer or employment resumption when re-entering the US.

Additionally, F-1 students may be eligible for off-campus work in STEM fields on a case-by-case basis due to special circumstances, such as economic hardship. M-1 students can only engage in practical training after completing their studies, and any off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the DSO.

Travel risks

International students on OPT can travel outside the USA, but they must have all the required documents for re-entry. This includes a valid Form I-20, signed by an advisor, a valid F-1 visa, and evidence of employment. It is also recommended that students have their EAD card with them, although this is not valid for re-entry on its own. Students on OPT may also need additional documentation, such as proof of a job offer or resumption of employment.

International travel always carries some degree of risk, and students should be aware of the potential challenges they may face when travelling and returning to the USA. Students on OPT may face additional risks and challenges when travelling internationally.

Firstly, students on OPT must ensure they have all the required documents for re-entry, as outlined above. Failure to provide these documents may result in denied re-entry to the USA. It is important to keep these documents secure and easily accessible when travelling.

Secondly, students on OPT should be aware that their absence from the USA may be considered unemployment. Unless they are on authorised leave or travelling as part of their employment, time spent outside the USA during OPT may count towards their maximum unemployment days (90 days for post-completion OPT and 150 days for STEM OPT). Exceeding these limits may result in issues when attempting to re-enter the USA.

Additionally, students on OPT should be cautious about travelling while their application is pending. Although it is allowed, there may be complications if a Request for Evidence (RFE) is issued by USCIS, which requires immediate attention. Students without their EAD work permit may also encounter problems at the port of entry.

Furthermore, international students should be aware of the potential for additional screening by US immigration upon their return. They may also face increased scrutiny or restrictions due to changing immigration policies and travel bans. It is recommended to stay informed about any updates to travel advisories and restrictions.

Other general travel risks that students should be mindful of include personal safety and security. Students are encouraged to register their travel plans with their university and their home country's embassy. They should also follow safety guidelines, such as learning local laws and customs, being mindful of their surroundings, and keeping important contacts readily available.

Frequently asked questions