Can I Travel When Waiting For Opt?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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You may travel abroad and reenter while your I-765 OPT application is pending without your departure canceling your OPT application

. You must reenter the U.S. before the graduation date on your I-20. To reenter you must have the following documents: Valid .

Can I travel before OPT is approved?


International Travel is NOT recommended before the OPT is approved

and before you have received your EAD card. If your OPT application is rejected or denied while you are outside of the U.S., you will not able to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status.

Can I travel internationally while waiting for OPT?


International travel while an OPT application is pending can be risky and is not generally recommended

. If you have an OPT application pending and believe you must travel, you are required to have the following to return: Passport (valid for six months after you plan to re-enter the US)​

Can I travel while my EAD is pending?

Can I travel While H4 EAD is pending?

You can travel out of the country while your standalone H4 EAD application is pending with USCIS

. Note that H4 EAD can be denied if your H4 COS or an extension is also pending with the EAD application.

Can I travel after OPT approval?

In general, an F-1 student on post-completion OPT may travel outside the United States temporarily and be readmitted to resume F-1 status and employment for the remainder of the period authorized on his or her EAD card.

Can I travel while my i-765 is pending?

It may take up to three months for USCIS to approve the I-131 and I-765 applications.

Nonimmigrants holding H or L status do not need advance parole authorization to travel outside the United States while their AOS application is pending

.

What documents do you need to travel after your OPT has been approved?

Traveling after OPT is approved:

Students who have their OPT approved and are working should carry the following while traveling:

Passport that is valid for at least 6 months

.

F-1 visa in passport

(go to visa interview if necessary and carry I-797 change of status approval notice from USCIS.

Can I travel during h1b lottery?


You must not travel outside of the U.S. while the petition is pending

. Leaving the country while USCIS is reviewing your petition will cause USCIS to consider your petition for a change of status to be abandoned.

Can I travel while I-140 is pending?


You should not travel internationally while the travel document is pending

, or the entire process will be considered abandoned and your adjustment of status denied. After several months of waiting, you should then be scheduled for an interview with a USCIS officer.

Can I travel while my i 90 is pending?

No matter the case, the processing time for an I-90 application is typically 8-10 months, which means, most likely,

the LPR in question will have to postpone international travel until they receive their new green card

.

Can I travel while I-130 is pending?

If you are a foreign spouse,

you may apply to enter the United States via a tourist visa if you have a pending I-130 petition

, and wish to go back to your home country after the visit.

Can you leave the country while waiting for EAD?


With an approved OPT application and your EAD card, you may travel internationally

, and request entry into the U.S in F-1 status when you return, both before or after the start date on your EAD card.

Can I travel while my H-1B is pending?


You can travel outside the US while H1B change of status is pending

. The risk of travel is that USCIS will automatically abandon your Change of status request. You will have to get the hard copy of your approved H1B's i797 and apply for an H1B visa at the US embassy before you can enter the USA with an H1B visa.

Can you travel on OPT While H-1B is pending?

Yes, if you are in a valid period of OPT (whether it is an initial grant or a STEM extension), have a valid EAD, and your change of status to H-1B has been approved before you leave, you should be able to return to the United States in F-1 status, as long as you have the appropriate documents and are able to show visa …

Can you apply for H-1B while on OPT?


F1 students can also apply for H1B visa after graduation or during OPT

.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.