Introduction:

Candidates on F1 OPT visa status wishing to travel outside the U.S. can travel but F1 OPT students in the US are bound to follow certain set of rules to travel outside the US to avoid any obstacle while re-entering the US. F1 OPT looking for travelling outside the states must take care about the requirements for their OPT and must re-enter the US only with F1 Visa status not any other visa status.

Required documents to travel on OPT:

Understand about travelling outside the US during F1 OPT. Consider the eligibility to maintain the F1 visa status while leaving and re-entering the US.

(A). A Valid Passport

You should maintain a valid or un-expired passport if you want to travel outside the US while completing your educational program.

The passport must be valid or un-expired if you want to travel outside the US while waiting for your OPT EAD approval.

The passport must be valid or un-expired if you want to travel outside the US after receiving for your OPT EAD approval.

(B). F1 Visa Status

You should have an active F1 visa status with a valid F1 visa stamp if you want to travel outside the US while completing your educational program while waiting for your OPT EAD approval.

F1 Visa must be active with a valid F1 visa stamp if you want to travel outside the US after receiving for your OPT EAD approval.

In case if the F1 visa has expired & if you want to travel outside the US, you should get a new F1 Visa before returning to the US.

In case if the F1 visa has expired if you want to travel outside the US while waiting for EAD approval, you will be exempted to apply for a new F1 visa until you receive the approval for the OPT application.

(C). I-20

If you want to travel outside the US I-20 must be updated with the current details & the travel approval from university DSO i.e. is valid for the duration of six months of travel.

I-20 must be updated with the current details & the travel approval stamp if you want to travel outside the US while completing your educational program & while waiting for your OPT EAD approval.

I-20 must be updated with the current employment details & the travel approval stamp if you want to travel outside the US after completing your educational program & receiving for your OPT EAD approval.

(D). Employment Authorization Document

EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card will be required if you want to travel outside the US after completing your educational program & have received for your OPT EAD approval.

If you travel outside the US while waiting for EAD card approval you would require someone to sent you the EAD once approved to return the US.

(E). Other

OPT students must have I-797 Notice of action if you want to travel outside the US after completing your educational program & while waiting for your OPT EAD approval.

F1 OPT students would need proof of enrolment from the concerned university if you want to travel outside the US while completing your educational program and before receiving your OPT EAD approval.

If you travel outside the US on F1 OPT visa after completing your educational program and waiting for EAD card approval or after receiving your EAD card approval you would require current employment letter.

F1 OPT visa might require COVID-19 evidence of vaccine tests to travel outside the US.

Financial supporting documents would be required for F1 OPT visa to travel outside the US.

FAQ’s with answers about travelling outside the US of F1 OPT/OPT STEM/F1 Visa:

1. Can I travel outside US before the education program end on my I-20?

Being a current F1 student in the process to complete educational program you must re-enter the US before completion of your educational program end on I-20.

2. For how much time can I stay outside the US on my OPT?

Candidates on OPT/OPT STEM can travel outside the US less than 5 months to continue employment in the US.

3. Can I travel outside the US during my OPT?

Yes, in case if you have your OPT & EAD card approved. You can return the US on F1 Visa status via showing evidence of your EAD card and employment letter.

4. Is it possible to renew my visa on OPT/STEM OPT?

Yes, you can renew your visa during OPT/Stem OPT.

5. Is it risky if I travel outside the US during OPT/STEM?

Yes, though travelling outside the US on OPT/STEM OPT is allowed but it involves risk of certain factor due to your absence in the US.

Conclusion:

Travelling outside the US on OPT requires to take care of a lot of aspects. One may be able to make it possible but is it is still very risky in case if you intend to return the US on F1 visa status. It is much recommended to the candidates to travel outside the US only after getting OPT approved to avoid any risk of rejection.