OPT and travel

[chrissbe17 3]

I am currently waiting for my OPT to be approved. My F 1 visa expired March 30th so I am in the 60 day grace period plus I am married to a U.S. citizen. My question is this: If I get my EAD and obtain employment can I then travel back to my home country on my OPT? Or will I still need to go to the embassy and renew my student visa- provide proof of economic ability, etc in order for me to travel freely?

[Harsh_77 718]

yes you need your visa renewd, OPT is not meant for travel.

Its you get is an EAD which is work authorization, chances are you if you travel on OPT, you might not be allowed to enter back.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

When you are issued your OPT you should be issued a new I-20, do not travel before that. The OPT itself is not work authroized, the I-20 will be what you need

Good luck

[Harsh_77 718]

When you are issued your OPT you should be issued a new I-20, do not travel before that. The OPT itself is not work authroized, the I-20 will be what you need

Good luck

CW - its never a good idea to travel on OPT even on the new I-20, I have come across cases where CBP refuses them the entry upon return saying you have already completed your course for which you had come, and training is optional anyways.

My school's DSO also always cautioned ppl on traveling on OPT.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I traveled just fine on my OPT and my new I20 with no issues

My DSO encouraged travel as it was a non-issue

Perhaps the OP should verify with their DSO to break the tie

Good luck

[chrissbe17 3]

Thank you all for your help . My DSO told me that I would need to renew my student visa but I had found other places stating that you could travel after you had received OPT without renewing your visa so I was just checking. I would really like to visit my home country but do not want to jeapordize my ability to return to my husband.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Don't travel without a new I20 or a new visa

Good luck

[Harsh_77 718]

Thank you all for your help . My DSO told me that I would need to renew my student visa but I had found other places stating that you could travel after you had received OPT without renewing your visa so I was just checking. I would really like to visit my home country but do not want to jeapordize my ability to return to my husband.

You can travel that is the debateable issue, but you you need a new visa which would be based on your new I-20 there is no doubt in it.

You will need a new visa 100% you cannot travel on expired visa.

[Bsze 50]

I traveled on my new I-20/OPT as well and did not encounter any problems. I did have a letter from my future employer at the time to verify I had a position waiting for me in the U.S. However, the POE officer didn't even ask for it. My DSO wasn't too wild about students traveling on OPT though.