Basic caveat: When you complete your studies, your right to exit and return to the U.S. is more restricted. Even though you may have applied for or received your OPT authorization, readmission is not guaranteed.
In all cases, to exit the U.S. and return during OPT, the following must be true: (See additional details below for special circumstances.)
- Your passport is valid
- Your F-1 visa is valid*
- You have a travel signature dated within the last “6 months” on your I-20
*If your F-1 visa has expired, you would have to apply for a new F-1 visa while out of the U.S. This carries some risk as your purpose in getting the visa is no longer to attend school, but rather to work. When applying, it is recommended that you emphasize that the work you are doing or are going to do is a continuation of your education. Since you will be applying for the F-1 visa, a non-immigrant visa for a temporary stay in the US, it would not be appropriate to volunteer any expectation or hope of sponsorship for a work visa or for a green card.
- Travel abroad before your OPT begins: Generally speaking, if you have applied for OPT, you can exit the U.S. and return BEFORE the date your OPT begins under the following circumstances:
- You carry your paper receipt from USCIS or your work permit (the EAD) with you. If you have been offered a job in the U.S., carry the offer letter with you also.
- Travel abroad during OPT: After your OPT has begun, you are permitted to exit and return to the U.S. after a temporary absence:
- To begin a job that has already been offered to you: You must have an offer letter with you.
- To continue working in a job you already have: You must carry an employment letter - a letter from the HR department or your supervisor on company letterhead stating that you are working there and that you will resume employment following this brief trip outside the country. Your original offer letter IS NOT sufficient. A proof of employment letter must be current and be related to a specific trip abroad.
- To re-enter while still seeking employment but after the start date on your EAD is problematic. Basic caveat - travel under these circumstances is strongly not recommended. You might be denied admission. You must be prepared to show detailed records of your job search – correspondence with employers, records of interviews (dates, company, interviewer), etc. Remember that you will be accumulating unemployment for every day you are not employed AFTER your start date even when you are outside the U.S.
FAQs
I’m not living near Pomona College anymore. How can I get a new travel signature on my I-20?
Email your ISA to request a new I-20 with a digital travel signature. Travel signatures no longer need to be wet. Guidance allows your ISA to sign digitally but you need to provide a wet signature so after you print the I-20 then sign and date it with a blue pen on page 1 under Student Attestation.