Travel During F-1 OPT
In this section, we’ll cover the things you need to be aware of and the documents you need to carry if you’re planning to travel abroad after you have applied for post-completion OPT, including STEM OPT extension and the Cap-Gap extension.


Need to Know
Post-Completion OPT is an extension of your F-1 status. If you return to the U.S. in another status, such as tourist, it will invalidate your F-1 status and your OPT authorization.


Documents Needed to Return to the U.S.
Since you are currently enrolled and will return to the U.S. before the program end date on your I-20, your re-entry will be based on your return as a current student. Your OPT application has no impact on your travel, regardless of whether it’s pending or approved. Check to see which documents you need as an F-1 student.
We recommend that you do not travel internationally before your OPT is approved and you have your EAD card.
If your OPT application is returned, rejected, or denied while you are abroad, you will not be able to re-enter the US in F-1 status to re-apply for OPT. If you need to return to the U.S. to pack up and leave, it may be possible to re-enter the US in another visa category (ESTA or tourist visa, for example) to prepare for departure.
Note that even if you have a friend checking your mail, you may have difficulty responding to any special request(s) from USCIS, such as a request for further information. If your EAD card is received in the U.S. before your return, we do not recommend having someone send the card to you. Instead, your friend should send you a scanned copy via email of the front and back of the EAD card.
If you still decide to travel despite these risks, we recommend entry through JFK or Newark airport, and you will need the following items to request re-entry to the U.S. in F-1 status:
- ✔︎
- Unexpired passport
- ✔︎
- Unexpired F-1 visa (except for Canadians who are exempt from visa requirement)
- ✔︎
- I-20 with OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature (signature valid for six months when on OPT). Learn how to get a travel signature, if needed.
- ✔︎
- I-797 USCIS receipt notice of your OPT application
- ✔︎
- If you have a job offer or interview appointments set up, bring a job offer letter or communication about interviews with you
- *
- Review potential CDC requirements here and with your airline carrier.
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.
You will need the following items with you when you return:
- ✔︎
- Unexpired passport
- ✔︎
- Unexpired F-1 visa (except for Canadians who are exempt from the visa requirement)
- ✔︎
- I-20 with OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature (signature valid for six months when on OPT). Learn how to get a travel signature, if needed.
- ✔︎
- Unexpired EAD card ( EAD has notation "not valid for reentry" which means the card on its own is not sufficient without the other documents listed here).
- ✔︎
- Proof of employment that you will begin or resume upon return from your trip, such as
- Job offer letter
- Work contract
- Proof of payment or letter from employer
- If no proof of employment, bring evidence of your job search
- *
- Review potential CDC requirements here and with your airline carrier.
If you are returning to the U.S. while your OPT EAD is still valid, you will need the following items.
- ✔︎
- Unexpired passport
- ✔︎
- Unexpired F-1 visa (except for Canadians)
- ✔︎
- I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature (signature is valid for six months when on OPT). Learn how to get a travel signature, if needed.
- ✔︎
- Unexpired EAD. (EAD has notation "not valid for reentry" which means the card on its own is not sufficient without the other documents listed here)
- ✔︎
Proof of employment that you will resume upon return from your trip, such as
- Job offer letter
- Work contract
- Proof of payment (pay stubs) or letter from employer regarding continued employment
- *
- Review potential CDC requirements here and with your airline carrier.
If your current EAD has expired: Do Not Travel while your STEM OPT extension is pending. You will not be able to return in F-1 status to resume employment.
With an Approved STEM OPT Extension
- ✔︎
- Unexpired passport
- ✔︎
- Unexpired F-1 visa (except for Canadians)
- ✔︎
- I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation and an unexpired travel signature (signature is valid for six months when on OPT). Learn how to get a travel signature, if needed.
- ✔︎
- Unexpired EAD for STEM OPT extension (EAD has notation "not valid for reentry" which means the card on its own is not sufficient without the other documents listed here)
- ✔︎
Proof of employment that you will resume upon return from your trip, such as
- Job offer letter
- Work contract
- Proof of payment (pay stub, automatic deposit of salary) or letter from employer
- *
- Review potential CDC requirements here and with your airline carrier.
It may be possible to travel during a Cap-Gap extension of OPT when certain conditions are met.
Do not leave the US while the H-1B change of status is pending! It will nullify the change of status and make you ineligible for the cap gap extension.
Generally, you may travel abroad and return to the US in F-1 status during a Cap-Gap period if:
- ✔︎
You have other documents required for F-1 readmission:
- Unexpired passport, valid at least six months beyond the date of re-entering the U.S.
- Unexpired F-1 visa . Do not travel during the cap-gap period if your F-1 visa is expired! It would be highly problematic to apply for a new F-1 with an approved H-1B (Canadians are exempt from the visa requirement)
- Cap-gap I-20 reflecting OPT extension through September 30 with an unexpired travel signature (signature is valid for six months when on OPT). Learn how to get a travel signature, if needed.
- ✔︎
- Your change of status to H-1B has been approved
- ✔︎
- You return in F-1 status before your H-1B start date
- ✔︎
- EAD (EAD has notation "not valid for reentry" which means the card on its own is not sufficient without the other documents listed here).
- ✔︎
- I-797 Approval Notice of the H-1B change of status
- ✔︎
Proof of employment that you will resume upon return from your trip, such as
- Job offer letter
- Work contract
- Proof of payment (pay stubs) or letter from employer regarding continued employment
- *
- Review potential CDC requirements here and with your airline carrier.
We recommend you travel with a printed copy of this USCIS page which addresses F-1 travel during a Cap-Gap extension.
Learn more!
Watch our short overview of travel on OPT from our OPT playlist:
