Lois Larson
If you are travelling during F-1 OPT, you will need to present a number of documents upon re-entry to the US, including an unexpired EAD card. The EAD card is not sufficient on its own and must be accompanied by other documents, including an unexpired passport and F-1 visa.
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What You'll Learn
- F-1 students must have an unexpired EAD card to re-enter the US
- OPT card is not valid for re-entry without other documents
- OPT STEM request approved outside the US Get a copy of your card
- F-1 visa expiry before re-entry date Apply for renewal with EAD card
- CBP officers decide eligibility to re-enter the US with a new Form I-20
F-1 students must have an unexpired EAD card to re-enter the US
F-1 students are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain work experience in their field of study. However, strict rules apply to this process. To be eligible for OPT, F-1 students must have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year at a college or university certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students.
Once a Designated School Official (DSO) recommends OPT, the student must apply for a work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with the required fee and supporting documentation. Only after receiving approval and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) can the student commence their pre- or post-completion OPT.
If an F-1 student chooses to travel internationally while their STEM OPT EAD is pending, they must be aware of the risks involved. Their F-1 status will end if their OPT STEM request is denied while outside the U.S. after their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date. However, if their OPT STEM request is approved while they are outside the U.S., they will need a scanned copy of their STEM EAD card to re-enter.
Therefore, F-1 students must have an unexpired EAD card to re-enter the U.S. after participating in OPT. This EAD card establishes the student's identity and employment authorization. It is essential to note that working in the U.S. without authorization can lead to serious consequences, including removal from the country and reentry bars.
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OPT card is not valid for re-entry without other documents
If you are an F-1 student on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and you plan to travel internationally, it is important to understand that your OPT card alone is not valid for re-entry into the United States. To re-enter the US, you must have additional documents with your OPT card.
Firstly, it is recommended that you do not travel internationally until your OPT is approved and you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. If your OPT application is rejected or denied while you are outside the US, you will not be able to re-enter the country in F-1 status. However, if your OPT has been approved and you have your EAD card, you can travel internationally and re-enter the US.
Upon re-entry to the US, you will need to present the following documents at the Port of Entry:
- A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity.
- Form I-20 with OPT recommendation and a valid travel signature (valid for six months when on OPT). The signature must be from an International Student Advisor at your university.
- Form I-797 Notice of Action Receipt, indicating that USCIS has received your application.
- If you have a future job offer, bring a letter as proof that you will pursue OPT once your EAD card is approved.
If you are on a STEM OPT program, there are additional considerations. You will need to provide evidence of your active job search if you are unemployed. Additionally, if your STEM OPT request is approved while you are outside the US, you will need to arrange for someone to scan and email you a copy of your STEM EAD card to re-enter the country.
It is 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. Therefore, it is crucial to have all the required documents before travelling internationally while on OPT.
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OPT STEM request approved outside the US? Get a copy of your card
Students on F-1 visas who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). This allows students to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution and cannot have previously received a STEM OPT extension based on the same degree.
If your OPT STEM request is approved while you are outside the US, you will need to take certain steps to obtain a copy of your card. Firstly, download a copy of your STEM OPT application receipt through your online USCIS portal account. You should also receive a hard copy of the I-797 Notice of Receipt in the mail. While your application is pending, you can continue working after your current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expires by providing your employer with a copy of your I-797 receipt notice.
To re-enter the US after your STEM OPT is approved, you will need the following documents in addition to your new STEM OPT EAD card:
- An unexpired passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your date of re-entry to the US.
- Your most recently issued Form I-20, signed by an HIO advisor within the last six months.
- An unexpired F-1 visa stamp inside your passport (not required for Canadians).
- A job offer letter or a letter of resumption of employment confirming employment for the period of your approved OPT.
It is important to note that the EAD card states "not valid for reentry," so you must have the additional documents listed above when returning to the US.
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F-1 visa expiry before re-entry date? Apply for renewal with EAD card
If your F-1 visa expires before your re-entry date, you must obtain a new F-1 visa before re-entering the United States. It is important to consult the international office at your school before travelling to discuss the visa application process and possible risks. You can also refer to the general visa information on the Applying for a Visa webpage.
If your F-1 visa has expired and you have a pending OPT or OPT STEM Extension application, you will not be able to apply for a new F-1 visa until your application is approved and you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD). You must also check with your employer and the legal counsel processing your H-1B about your travel plans.
To apply for an OPT extension, you must first request that your designated school official (DSO) at your academic institution recommend the OPT extension. Your DSO will endorse your Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and make the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). You must then file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the required fee and supporting documentation. Once your Form I-765 is approved and you have received your EAD, you may begin your pre- or post-completion OPT.
It is important to note that if you have exceeded the maximum OPT unemployment time or have been absent from the US for more than 5 months, you may not be able to re-enter the United States in F-1 status. Additionally, re-entering the United States in a status other than F-1, such as a tourist, will invalidate your F-1 status and OPT authorization. While travel during the OPT application process is allowed, it is not recommended due to certain risks.
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CBP officers decide eligibility to re-enter the US with a new Form I-20
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of entry have the authority to decide whether to admit or deny entry to the United States. They make this decision based on the facts and circumstances presented at the time of application for entry. While there is no guarantee of readmission, CBP will, in most cases, allow re-entry to the U.S. if the individual is otherwise admissible and their DSO has properly annotated their Form I-20.
CBP officers may ask questions to verify an individual's student status, so it is important to be prepared with the right documents and responses. When re-entering the U.S., individuals must show that they are maintaining their student visa status and actively pursuing their academic program. Officers may ask about the academic program to confirm it aligns with the F-1 visa classification. It is also essential to be prepared with proof of ongoing enrollment, such as a class schedule, transcript, or a letter from the school, signed by the Designated School Official (DSO).
Additionally, CBP officers may ask detailed questions to verify an individual's legal status and eligibility to work in the U.S. When entering the U.S. for business, individuals should be prepared to provide information such as specific business activities, company and contact information, and proof of strong professional ties to their home country. It is recommended to keep all documents related to student status easily accessible in carry-on luggage, including Form I-20, passport with visa, SEVIS receipt, school ID, and proof of enrollment.
To summarise, while CBP officers decide eligibility for re-entry to the U.S., individuals can increase their chances of a smooth inspection process by being organised, confident, and prepared with the necessary documentation and clear, honest responses.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need an unexpired passport, valid at least six months beyond the date of re-entering the U.S., an unexpired F-1 visa, an unexpired EAD card, and an I-20 with OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature.
The card on its own is not sufficient, and you will need to present other documents upon re-entry.
You will need an I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature.
You will need to apply for an F-1 visa renewal using your Post-Completion EAD card, STEM I-797 Receipt Notice, and proof of employment.
SEVP advises against travelling outside the United States until your SEVIS record shows that you are in Active status. If you do travel, you may not be able to renew your visa or return to the United States.
