Travel During Post-Completion OPT & STEM OPT Extension

Remember, a student’s U.S. immigration status is their responsibility and they must validate that all their Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT Extension reporting requirements are up-to-date with the ISO PRIOR to submitting a request for a new Form I-20.

NOTE: If a student is missing any of the below mentioned documents, they risk being denied entry into the U.S. and/or losing their F-1 status and OPT/STEM OPT benefits. The ISO can never guarantee re-entry into the U.S. or predict what may happen at the U.S. border point-of-entry, as entry to the U.S. is always determined by CBP upon a request for admission into the United States. Students can find additional information regarding travel during a student’s F-1 OPT/STEM OPT period below and I.C.E.’s website.

Travel During Post-Completion OPT

Travel during an APPROVED period of Post-Completion OPT is not restricted if the student has all the materials/documents required for entry into the U.S. 

IMPORTANT: New Form I-20(s) will be issued and provided to students electronically to the students’  main email address we have on file for them. Students MUST print their Form I-20(s), and sign and date the document(s) by hand. [NOTE: Immigration has stated that students are NOT allowed to sign their Form I-20(s) electronically; student signatures must be by hand – ONLY].

Travel/Re-Entry to U.S. AFTER Program Completion End Date – OPT Approved: If a student plans on re-entering the U.S. AFTER the program completion end date listed on their OPT Form I-20, then ICE (U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement) states under the question, ‘Can I reenter if I left while on OPT?’: “If USCIS has approved your OPT you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States, in addition to your Form I-20, valid passport and visa, and a letter of employment if you have one. If you exceed the limits on unemployment while outside the United States, you will not be eligible to re-enter the United States in F-1 status.”

Therefore, a student will need the required documents listed below to re-enter the U.S. during their approved period of OPT:

1. Valid passport (valid for 6 months into the future).
2. Valid F-1 visa sticker (NOT Expired), except for Canadians, Bahamians, and Bermudians.
   • Students should NEVER use a tourist visa (B-1/B-2) or Visa Waiver Program (VWP / ESTA) to enter the U.S. while on OPT, as that will cancel their OPT authorization.
3. Most recently issued Form I-20. “How do I obtain travel signature while on Post-Completion OPT?” [See diagram below!].
   • If the student’s EAD card has been approved, then their employer(s) should be reported to iMIT and listed on page 2 of their most recently issued Form I-20.
   • Most recently issued Form I-20 signed for travel (page 2) within the past 6 months.
4. Approved OPT EAD card.
5. Employment/Job Offer letter for OPT (if applicable). 
   • Letter should include the dates of employment/training, job duties, location of training activity, supervisor contact information, and any salary/stipend received.

Travel During STEM OPT Extension

Travel during the STEM OPT Extension period is not restricted if the student has all the materials/documents required for entry into the U.S. 

IMPORTANT: New Form I-20(s) will be issued and provided to students electronically to the students’  main email address we have on file for them. Students MUST print their Form I-20(s), and sign and date the document(s) by hand. [NOTE: Immigration has stated that students are NOT allowed to sign their Form I-20(s) electronically; student signatures must be by hand – ONLY].

Therefore, a student will need the required documents listed below to re-enter the U.S. during their approved period of STEM OPT Extension:

1. Valid passport (valid for 6 months into the future).
2. Valid F-1 visa sticker (NOT Expired), except for Canadians, Bahamians, and Bermudians.
   • Students should NEVER use a tourist visa (B-1/B-2) or Visa Waiver Program (VWP / ESTA) to enter the U.S. while on OPT, as that will cancel their OPT authorization.
3. Most recently issued Form I-20. “How do I obtain travel signature while on STEM OPT?” [See diagram below!].
   • Most recently issued Form I-20 must have the student’s current employer(s) listed on page 2. 
   • Most recently issued Form I-20 must be signed for travel (page 2) within the past 6 months.
4. Approved OPT EAD card(s).
5. Employment/Job Offer letter for STEM OPT.
   • Letter should include the dates of employment/training, job duties, location of training activity, supervisor contact information, and any salary/stipend received.

For the STEM OPT Extension, if a student’s current Post-Completion OPT EAD card is expired and they do not yet have their STEM OPT Extension EAD card, the ISO strongly recommends against travel outside of the U.S. at this time. However, if a student will travel outside the U.S. without an approved STEM OPT EAD card, then the student must have proof that their STEM OPT application was filed in a timely manner and carry the USCIS receipt notice (Form I-797) during their travels.  

DHS has clarified in the preamble to the 24-month rule [81 FR 13103 par.774] that, “Students on STEM OPT extensions (including those whose application for a STEM OPT extension is pending) may travel abroad and seek reentry to the United States in F-1 status during the STEM OPT extension period if they have a valid F-1 visa that permits multiple entries and a current Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility endorsed for reentry by the DSO within the last six months. The student’s status is determined by CBP upon admission to the United States or through a USCIS adjudication of a change-of-status petition.”

Students who would need to apply for a new F-1 entry visa sticker at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate while abroad in order to return to the U.S. should not travel until they receive their STEM OPT EAD card.

How Do I Know If I Need An Updated Travel Signature During Post-Completion OPT / STEM OPT?

During an approved period of Post-Completion OPT / STEM OPT a travel signature on a Form I-20 is ONLY valid for 6 months from the travel signature date listed on page 2. 

By answering the three (3) questions listed below, one can determine whether or not they need an updated Form I-20 and travel signature:

1. Am I re-entering the U.S. within the next month?
2. Does my most recently issued Form I-20 have a travel signature (on page 2) that is LESS than 6 months old? 
3. Does my most recently issued Form I-20 have list my current OPT/STEM employer information on page 2?

How Do I Request An Updated Travel Signature During Post-Completion OPT / STEM OPT?

Alumni/ae who need an updated travel signature during Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT Extension can request a new Form I-20 via iMIT. BEFORE submitting a request in iMIT, students MUST confirm that their OPT or STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements and contact information are up to date in iMIT PRIOR to submitting a request for new Form I-20/travel signature. 

IMPORTANT: New Form I-20(s) will be issued and provided to students electronically to the students’ main email address we have on file for them (double-check that this information is listed correctly in iMIT!). Remember, students MUST print their Form I-20(s), and sign and date the document(s) by hand. [NOTE: Immigration has stated that students are NOT allowed to sign their Form I-20(s) electronically; student signatures must be by hand – ONLY].

If a student has used the above diagram and they have determined that a travel signature is required, then a student must login to iMIT (through limited client services) and click on “F-1 Student Services” > “Request Replacement of Form I-20” > and complete that e-Form to obtain an updated Form I-20/travel signature. 

ATTENTION: The e-Form will ask for the ‘Reason for Current I-20 Replacement’, and the student will select the appropriate drop-down option. Next, where the e-Form requests ‘Upload Proof of Finances’, students MUST upload updated funding documentation (e.g., a recent employer letter with updated salary information or official position offer letter with salary, confirming employment status). Financial support documentation is required in order to issue the new Form I-20.

All funding documentation should be issued within the past 6 months and showing at least US$48,000 ($4,000 per month x 12 months), which is based on current student estimate of monthly living expenses and health insurance, to demonstrate meeting estimated cost of living expenses on OPT/STEM OPT. If your OPT or STEM OPT position does not provide payment/salary equal to at least $48,000, students can also upload additional funding documentation (such as a personal bank statement, or letter of support and financial statement from a sponsor) that in combination with OPT/STEM OPT position salary or stipend will equal at least US$48,000. Students must carry their financial support documentation, including proof of employment, when them when traveling abroad and re-entering the U.S. to present to U.S. immigration officials if requested.

Make sure Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements are up-to-date with the ISO prior to submitting a request for a new Form I-20.