F1-valid, I-20 Expired. Leave country while on OPT?

[anders 0]

My status:

- Just graduated from the flightschool

- OPT is approved

- Are currently working at my school as a flightinstructor for my OPT

- It says "NOT VALID FOR RE-ENTRY" on my EAD-card

- My F1-visa was renewed 15 days ago at the embassy

- My I-20 is expired, but on page 3, it says "OPT requested from 1. nov 2011-1.nov 2012"

- Page 3 of I-20 have recently been endorsed

Can I visit my homecountry in Europe and still return to USA?

[Little_My 464]

Why did you not get a new I-20 once your OPT was approved?

Usually you need a valid visa and a valid I-20, with a valid travel signature, to return to the country. When you're on OPT, you're advised to also have the EAD and a letter from your employer stating you have a job and you're only traveling for a short vacation - and then returning to that same job.

Edited September 30, 2011 by Little_My

[anders 0]

Why did you not get a new I-20 once your OPT was approved?

Usually you need a valid visa and a valid I-20, with a valid travel signature, to return to the country. When you're on OPT, you're advised to also have the EAD and a letter from your employer stating you have a job and you're only traveling for a short vacation - and then returning to that same job.

I did not get a New I-20 after OPT was approved.

I got a new I-20 June, 30th stating that OPT is requested. Based on this I-20, I got a new VISA in my passport.

So you think it can be a problem since the dates in my I-20 is expired?

[Little_My 464]

When you say your visa was renewed at the embassy, what embassy do you mean? US embassy in your home counrty? Usually, for OPT there isn't a need to renew the visa unless the visa holder travels abroad and is planning to return - and in those cases, they get their visas renewed through a US embassy in their home country.

Based on my knowledge, you need a valid I-20 to return to the US. You should have received one once your OPT was approved. Are you sure your university doesn't have a new one for you..? I used to work for the International Student Services office at my university, and we always had a drawer full of new I-20s that students just didn't realize to pick up, or didn't understand why they were issued one and didn't come to get it.

[Harsh_77 718]

Yep you should have a new I-20 for the duration of OPT.... how did you get new visa stamped on your passport without leaving the country?

[anders 0]

When you say your visa was renewed at the embassy, what embassy do you mean? US embassy in your home counrty? Usually, for OPT there isn't a need to renew the visa unless the visa holder travels abroad and is planning to return - and in those cases, they get their visas renewed through a US embassy in their home country.

Based on my knowledge, you need a valid I-20 to return to the US. You should have received one once your OPT was approved. Are you sure your university doesn't have a new one for you..? I used to work for the International Student Services office at my university, and we always had a drawer full of new I-20s that students just didn't realize to pick up, or didn't understand why they were issued one and didn't come to get it.

I went back to my homecountry and got my VISA extended, because I am planning to travel abroad and return.

My I-20 expired the same day as the OPT started, but Page 3 states that OPT is requested and it also states the dates (Sept 2011-Sept 2012).

Im at a school with only 150 students, and the woman who is organizing the visas is scaring the ###### out of me if I ask her a question, and she has NO clue what she is talking about!

[Little_My 464]

Call the school and ask about the I-20. If you plan to travel abroad and return, you will need a valid I-20 to enter. USCIS does not send I-20 forms to schools, they are generated at the schools and printed there. The international student adviser at your school just needs to update your information in SEVIS and print you the new, accurate form that reflects your OPT.

Edited October 2, 2011 by Little_My