OPT Travel Regulations

If you have graduated and your OPT is pending

You may travel outside the U.S. and reenter the U.S. while your OPT application is pending in order to resume searching for a job. In order to reenter the U.S., you will need:

• Valid passport Valid
• F-1 visa I-20 signed for travel within six months
• I-797 receipt notice (OPT receipt)

If you have graduated and your OPT has been approved

You may travel outside the U.S. only if you have a job offer or you are returning to a job. In order to reenter the U.S., you will need:

• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa
• I-20 signed for travel within six months
• EAD card
• Letter from your employer stating that you need to return to the U.S. to resume working
  
  

If you have not graduated

You may travel outside the U.S. and reenter the U.S. because you are still a student. In order to reenter the U.S., you will need

• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa
• I-20 signed for travel within six months
• Letter from your department stating that you have not yet graduated