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Traveling outside the U.S. while on Post-Completion OPT is allowed—but the rules are a bit different than traveling as a student and it is important to be aware of the risks. We highly recommend you plan ahead for your trip and are prepared. 

When returning to the U.S. on Post-OPT, you should carry all of the following:

• A valid passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
• A valid F-1 visa (unless you are visa-exempt, such as Canadian citizens)
• Your OPT I-20 with a travel signature less than 6 months old
• Your EAD card
• Proof of employment, such as:
  • Employment verification letter
  • Job offer letter
  • Recent pay stubs
• ASU Travel Letter
   

While not guaranteed, it is common that the port of entry officials may ask to see proof that you are currently employed or actively working. Therefore, having proof of employment in multiple forms may be beneficial. 
 

While on OPT, travel signatures are valid for only 6 months.

If your travel signature will be older than 6 months on your return date, you should request a new I-20 before your travel. You can request a new travel signature by submitting the Travel and Replacement I-20 request through the MyISSC eForm portal. 

As a reminder, the ISSC has up to a 7-business day processing time and cannot expedite requests. Therefore, please plan accordingly!

The OPT work authorization is meant for the purpose of individuals to perform practical training related to their field of study while present in the U.S.

• Long-term stays outside the U.S. may raise questions about whether you are truly maintaining F-1 status.
• If you will be traveling for more than 30 days, we recommend you obtain a letter from your employer explaining your employment status and the nature of any employment activities while you are outside the U.S. Travels may not exceed 5 months.
• Always make sure your SEVP address and employer information are up to date within the SEVP Portal.

Returning to the U.S. while on OPT without employment can be risky. 

Even though you may have unemployment days that allow you to maintain your F-1 status on OPT, it is possible that the port of entry official may ask for proof of how you are maintaining your F-1 status and OPT requirements if not employed. Without active employment, the port of entry officials may determine you do not have valid enough reason to return to the U.S. on OPT. 

We recommend considering whether traveling while unemployed is worth the risk.

As a reminder, re-entry to the U.S. is never guaranteed and is always at the discretion of the port of entry officials. Therefore, you must be prepared to answer any questions the port of entry officials may have and provide evidence as to your purpose for returning to the U.S. and how you are and plan to maintain your F-1 status on OPT. 
 

Before traveling, ask yourself: 
 

If the answer is no—or if you are unsure - you may need to consider the risks of your travel plans. 

Please feel free to refer to our travel webpage for information as well.