If you have an expired visa, you may still be able to travel on OPT as long as you have a valid I-20 from your school. Be sure to check with your school’s International Student Advisor to see if this is an option for you.
It is possible to travel on an OPT with an expired visa, but it is not recommended. There are no guarantees that you will be able to re-enter the United States if your visa has expired.
What if my F-1 visa expires while on OPT?
If you are approved for OPT/STEM while outside the United States, you will need to have your EAD card sent to you in order to re-enter the United States. If your F-1 visa is expired, you will need to reapply for an F-1 visa with your EAD card and proof of employment.
If you want to travel while your STEM OPT application is pending, we recommend that you wait until your Post-Completion OPT EAD expires and your OPT is expired. That way, your STEM extension application will remain under review.
Can I stay in US on expired F-1 visa with OPT
You can stay in the United States on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status. However, if you are returning home or traveling to a country where automatic revalidation does not apply, you must have a valid visa to return to the United States.
If you have an approved OPT application and your EAD card, you may travel internationally and request entry into the US in F-1 status when you return, both before or after the start date on your EAD card. You will need to present your EAD card and other documentation, such as your passport and I-20, to the immigration officer at the port of entry. If you are entering the US before the start date on your EAD card, you will be admitted in F-1 status for the duration of your OPT, up to the start date on your EAD card. If you are entering the US after the start date on your EAD card, you will be admitted in F-1 status for the remainder of your OPT.
Do you need a valid visa for OPT?
If you are currently on OPT and your visa stamp has expired, you will need to renew your visa stamp in order to re-enter the United States. You can do this by going to a U.S. embassy or consulate and applying for a new visa. If you are returning to resume OPT employment, you will need to have an F-1 visa in order to enter the United States.
F-1 visa holders have 60 days after their program end date to leave the United States. For F-1 students who participate in post-completion optional practical training, they have 60 days after their employment ends to depart.
Is it risky to travel on F-1 OPT?
If you have an OPT application pending and wish to travel internationally, it is generally not recommended as it can be risky. If you must travel, please contact your HIO advisor. Entry to the US in any status other than F-1 OPT will invalidate your OPT work authorization.
If you stay in the United States beyond the expiration date of your visa, your visa automatically becomes void. You must return to your country of nationality in order to obtain a new visa; you cannot apply for a new visa at a consulate that is closer to the United States. There are exceptions to this rule in extraordinary circumstances.
Can I travel to USA if my visa expires in 1 month
A visa is only a permit to enter the United States and does not guarantee entry. The expiration date on a visa is the last day that the visa holder can use it to enter the United States. However, once the visa holder is in the United States, the visa does not determine how long he or she can stay. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorizes each visa holder to stay for a specific period of time. This authorized period of stay can be found on the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. The I-94 will also specify the number of times the visa holder is allowed to enter the United States.
If someone files an application for an extension of stay, and their Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record has already expired, we will usually not grant the extension.
How long can I stay outside us with OPT?
If you plan to travel outside the United States and reenter during the 60-day grace period after completing your F-1 studies or Optional Practical Training (OPT), you must have either applied for OPT or a change of status to another nonimmigrant category. If you have not applied for OPT or a change of status, you will not be able to return to the United States in F-1 status during the 60-day grace period.
If you are an F-1 student with an OPT application pending and you need to travel outside of the United States, you must have the following documents in order to return:
-A passport that is valid for at least six months after your planned re-entry into the US
-A valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport
-An I-20 form that has a travel signature that is no more than six months old
Can I travel if my US visa expires in 2 months
You can enter the United States on the day that your visa expires. Unlike many countries’ visas, the US visa is for entry only; the length of stay is separately given by CBP. For a normal tourist using a normal tourist visa, they nearly always give a maximum stay of six months, totally regardless of when the visa expires.
You can renew your F-1 student visa while on post-completion OPT or the STEM OPT Extension.
What kind of visa do I need for the OPT?
OPT is an acronym for “Optional Practical Training”. OPT is a benefit of your F-1 visa status and not a separate work visa or visa category. You continue to be in F-1 student visa status while you are on OPT and must abide by all F-1 regulations during your period of OPT.
Yes, you may travel internationally before receiving your EAD if necessary, without any negative impact on your application. It is advised that you carry a copy of your I-797 receipt notice.
Final Words
No, you cannot travel on an OPT with an expired visa.
If you are on an expired visa, you may not be able to travel. You may need to renew your visa or get a new one.
