Skip to main content
International Student and Scholar Services

Travel on OPT

Travel Before OPT Approval

Travel outside of the U.S. after your I-20 end date and prior to receiving OPT work authorization comes with some additional risks. If your OPT application is rejected or denied while you are abroad, you will not be able to reenter the U.S. in F-1 status to reapply for OPT. If your EAD card is issued while you are outside of the U.S., CBP may request evidence of the EAD card as a condition of reentry. Attempting to enter the U.S. without proof of employment may result in denial.

When traveling outside of the U.S. before you OPT has been approved, the following documents are required:

  • Passport valid for 6 months past your date of re-entry
  • Valid U.S. F-1 visa (citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa to enter the U.S.).
  • I-797 Receipt Notice of your I-765 OPT application (and any other documents received in response to your I-765 application)
  • I-20 with a valid DSO travel signature on page 2 (the signature is only valid for 6 months from the date it was signed)
  • Proof that you will begin employment upon return from your travel such as a job offer letter, work contract, or evidence of job search

Travel After OPT Approval

When traveling outside of the U.S. after your OPT has been approved, the following documents are required:

  • Passport valid for 6 months past your date of re-entry
  • Valid U.S. F-1 visa (citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa to enter the U.S.)
  • Valid EAD card
  • I-20 with a valid DSO travel signature on page 2 (the signature is only valid for 6 months from the date it was signed)
  • Proof of employment that you will begin or resume upon return from your trip such as a job offer letter, work contract, or proof of payment from employer
  • Contact information for ISSS in the event that the border officer needs to reach an International Advisor
    • Main phone: (309) 438-1931 (during regular business hours)
    • ISU Police: (309) 438-8631 (emergencies outside of regular business hours). This number should only be used in an emergency situation at the border, in which the border officer needs to immediately contact a school official (DSO/ARO).

Request a Travel Signature

If the travel signature on page 2 of your most recent I-20 has expired, you can request a new signature by submitting a Travel Signature request in the ISSS Portal.

Traveling through Other Countries

If you are not traveling to your home country or will be traveling through other countries, you may need a visa to travel to or even through (transit visa) other countries. Check the foreign embassy/consulate website for every country on your itinerary.

Visit the Department of State Learn About Your Destination site to find important travel alerts/warnings and links to foreign embassy websites where you can check visa requirements.

After you return to the U.S.

  • Always retrieve your I-94 after you reenter the U.S.
  • Upload your new I-94 to the Personal & Program tab in the ISSS Portal.
  • If you renew your visa or passport while you are away, please upload your new copies to the Personal & Program tab in the ISSS Portal.

For more information about F-1 travel, please see the U.S Department of Homeland Security F-1 travel page.