NOTE: This information is intended as a reference for general purposes. It is not comprehensive and should not be considered legal advice. Consult a personal immigration attorney for case-specific legal advice.

Last updated 4/4/2025

If you are an F-1 visa holder on OPT or STEM OPT Extension planning to travel abroad, be sure to carry the following documentation with you when you request reentry into the United States:

• A passport, valid at least 6 months into the future.
  • *Exception: Countries listed on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Travel page have an agreement with the U.S. that allows citizens to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration.
• A valid F-1 visa*
  • * If you are a Canadian or Bermudan citizen, you will not have a visa stamp in your passport.
• An OPT I-20 (showing an OPT status of Requested, Pending, or Approved on page 2) with a travel signature less than six months old
  • After receiving your I-20 from the DSO via email, please be sure to print out your I-20 and sign the bottom of page 1, using ink. Carry the print-out of this I-20 when presenting it to U.S. officials.
• Proof of employment (i.e. letter from your supervisor, job offer letter, contract, etc.)
• A valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)

Please note: Leaving and reentering the U.S. after graduation while an OPT or STEM OPT application is pending with the USCIS, or if you are unemployed, should be undertaken with caution. If you are in this situation and need to travel abroad, please consult with the DSO. If USCIS approves your OPT application, you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States. Like a request for further information, USCIS can only send the EAD to your U.S. address.

Failure to have the proper documentation with you can result in you being denied reentry into the U.S. or you being granted temporary, conditional entry with a I-515A.

Note: This list only applies to return travel to the U.S.; you must check to see if you need a visa to enter another country (including transit visas). Check on the website of the embassy of the country you want to visit.

Read more about travel and reentry for F-1 visa holders, including frequently asked questions on the Department of Homeland Security website.

Know the Risks

You should not be afraid to travel while on OPT but there are risks you have to be aware of:

• Expired Visa
  If your F-1 visa is expired, you will need to apply for a new one at a U.S. embassy abroad before you can come back to the U.S. If you are only traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent Caribbean islands for 30 days or less, you may be able to re-enter the U.S. even with an expired F-1 visa.

Note: If you require a new entry visa while on OPT, be aware that there is no guarantee that you are eligible for one. You are required to establish non-immigrant intent every time you apply for a non-immigrant visa. This may be harder to establish when you are working rather than studying. If you have an expired F-1 entry visa, speak with a DSO before planning a trip abroad.

• No Employment Upon Return
  If you have no employment to return to, an officer can legally refuse your entry to the U.S. If you need to travel abroad, we recommend that you carry with you proof that you are looking for employment (e.g., interview offers, registration to attend a career fair, etc.). Additionally, students who have exceeded the 90 days of unemployment are not considered  to be maintaining status and likely will be denied re-entry into the U.S.
• Change of Status Filed /H-1B Pending /Green-card Application Pending
  If any of these apply, traveling abroad is not recommended because doing so can void some of these applications and/or make you ineligible to return to the U.S. on your OPT. Talk to the immigration attorney or office that is assisting you with these applications before traveling abroad.
• Expired EAD
  If your OPT period has expired and you are now in the 60-day grace period and you leave the U.S., you will need a different visa (e.g., tourist visa, H-1B work visa if you were approved) to return.

Travel within the United States

In general, special permission is not required to travel within the U.S., however, Federal law mandates anyone who is not a U.S. citizen to carry evidence of lawful status at all times.  We recommend that you carry your unexpired passport, I-94, and I-20, properly endorsed for travel within the last 12 months, with you whenever you travel outside the Lewiston area.

Tip: It’s a good idea to have a scan of your passport identification page on your phone.​ Carry printouts of your documents, as well as electronic copies. Ensure you make multiple copies of these documents and store them in different places—not all on your person or on a single device you are carrying—to reduce the risk of losing all documentation at once.

Carry evidence of lawful status at all times. 

• Federal law mandates anyone who is not a U.S. citizen to carry evidence of lawful status at all times. See this list of required documents.

Carry all the required documents when traveling and reentering the U.S. as an international student.

• Not sure what to carry when you travel? Read through Travel for Current F-1 Students before you depart.

Electronic devices while traveling

Remember, your personal electronic devices may be searched at the airport or border. We recommend encrypting private information on your electronic devices and backing them up before traveling in case they are seized. According to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website, CBP officers may search laptops, cell phones, or other electronic devices. Be aware of sensitive information on electronic devices when traveling. Be aware of sensitive information on electronic devices when traveling. Reach out to the Bates College HelpDesk with questions about encrypting private information.

Social Media

U.S. immigration authorities have broad authority to review your social media, so it’s crucial to maintain a professional online presence by carefully considering what you post and share publicly, as potentially controversial content could raise concerns about your intentions and impact your visa status.

Key points to remember:
o Be mindful of what you post: Avoid sharing content that could be interpreted as promoting violence, extremist views, or illegal activities. Review and remove any content which could be interpreted as controversial.
o Double-check before sharing: Think twice before posting or sharing anything that might reflect negatively on you as an international student.
o Be aware of your online image: Maintain a positive and professional online presence.
o Consult the Center for Global Education office: If you have any concerns about your social media presence, seek guidance from our office.

Know Your Rights

•  Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project know your rights 
• ACLU know your rights