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Office of International Services

Travel on OPT

OIS recommends speaking with an OIS advisor prior to making international travel arrangements while applying for OPT and/or during the OPT authorization period.

Documents for Travel During OPT

After your OPT has been approved, during your OPT period, OIS recommends that you bring the following documentation: 

Required: 

  • Valid passport
  • Valid visa
  • I-20 with travel signature (issued within 6 months of entry)- we recommend traveling with an updated I-20 showing “approved” status on page two of your OPT I-20. 
  • EAD card

Highly recommended: 

  • USCIS Receipt Notice (I-797C) and/or Approval Notice (I-797A)
  • Proof of employment, such as a job offer letter (especially if your OPT start date has passed)
  • Proof of an active search for employment (if you don’t have proof of employment)

Important note for students with a pending H1-B: If you have a pending H-1B application, please check with the employer who filed your H-1B for more information regarding your travel eligibility.

What if my OPT application is still pending? Can I travel internationally?

Traveling internationally and re-entering the U.S. with a pending OPT application can be risky and you should consider the specifics of your situation and your own tolerance of risk before making a decision to travel. Please consider the following scenarios and the documentation needed for each one.

Required Documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Valid visa
  • Most recently issued I-20 with a travel signature
  • I-797 receipt notice from USCIS

If you are entering before the I-20 program end date, you only need the above documents regardless of the status of your OPT application. Remember that you must wait until you receive the USCIS receipt notice (I-797C) after filing your OPT application before departing the U.S. You have to physically be present in the U.S. to be eligible to apply for OPT.

Required Documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Valid visa
  • Most recently issued I-20 with a travel signature dated within the last 6 months
  • USCIS receipt notice for your OPT application (I-797C)

Highly Recommended Documents:

  • Proof of employment, such as a job offer letter
  • Proof of an active search for employment (if you don’t have proof of employment)

Important note about applying for OPT and your grace period: If you depart the US during your 60-day grace period without applying for OPT, you will no longer be eligible to return to the US in F-1 status and no longer be eligible to apply for OPT. The 60-day grace period is only valid if you are planning to remain in the US.  Travel outside the US does not stop the accrual of time towards unemployment.