The best case scenario for traveling abroad while on OPT is that you have a valid passport, valid F-1 visa, valid EAD, and I-20 with a recent travel signature, and you are coming back to work on your OPT.
Can I leave the country after applying for OPT?
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 passport.
Can you do volunteer work while waiting for OPT?
Volunteers or unpaid interns (for standard pre or post-completion OPT):
Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this practice does not violate any labor laws
. The work should be at least 20 hours per week for students on post-completion OPT.
Can you travel internationally during OPT?
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 OPT is pending?
IMPORTANT NOTE:
A student can travel outside the U.S. while an OPT application is pending as long as they re-enter the U.S. before their program completion date
.
Can I travel to Canada while on OPT?
Travel to Canada while on Post-Completion OPT or the OPT STEM Extension is permitted
. Please review our travel information for students on OPT to learn more.
Can I work as a volunteer without EAD?
You can “volunteer” without an EAD
, but not as a guise for actual employment.
Can I work less than 20 hours on OPT?
If you are authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT,
you may work part time (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session
. You may work full time when school is not in session.
Can I work 2 jobs on OPT?
Are multiple OPT jobs allowed? Multiple post-completion OPT jobs can be carried out once you complete your studies in a college or a university.
You may work for more than one employer or job, but all employment must be related to your degree program
. The cumulative number of hours should be 20 or more in a week.
Can I work remotely on OPT?
Students currently participating in OPT, including STEM OPT,
may work remotely if their employer has an office outside the United States or the employer can assess student engagement using electronic means
. Students participating in STEM OPT do need to submit an updated Form I-983 to report remote work.
Can OPT students travel to USA from India?
The requirements related to the Indian travel ban are met by OPT students, because they are treated as returning students, who can travel like other continuing students no earlier than 30 days before August 1, 2021. The second set of requirements is common to all OPT holders: You must have a valid passport and F-1 visa.
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
.
Can I travel outside the US with a work permit?
Can I still use the work authorization card to travel?
If you were only approved for work authorization, you CANNOT use the card to travel outside of the US
. The card will only be valid for working in the US and not traveling outside of the US.
Can I work unpaid while waiting for OPT?
Can I work while my STEM OPT application is pending? Yes, you can work after your first OPT period ends and while your STEM OPT application is pending up to 180 days provided USCIS receives your STEM OPT application by the expiration of the first OPT period.
Can you work for free while waiting for OPT?
OPT Card:
No. The employee cannot work while waiting for the OPT card
.
Can I volunteer in U.S. without work visa?
As long as you’re not being compensated for volunteering, you shouldn’t need a work visa to volunteer
. While working in the United States can be difficult for a foreigner, volunteering is usually pretty simple. Forget the hassle of work visas.
Can you work 80 hours on OPT?
There is no maximum number of hours that can be worked while on STEM OPT
, but because there is a minimum, it may be difficult to work for more than 2 employers. For example, if you work for two qualifying STEM OPT employers, at a minimum, you would need to be working 40 hours per week.
Can I get new i20 after OPT approval?
During your final quarter, after you submit your Post-Completion OPT application. You can travel and reenter the U.S. as a student during your final registration quarter.
You will use the new I-20 with the OPT recommendation printed on page 2, along with the other regular travel documents
.
Can F-1 OPT work on W2?
If you have valid OPT EAD, then your work is authorized based on the employment authorization document, not a W2
.
