Students with pending or approved OPT remain eligible to travel abroad and return to the U.S., but keep in mind that international travel is in a fluid state, and new travel restrictions could arise at any moment.
If you choose to travel abroad, check your I-20 immediately to ensure you have a valid travel signature less than six months old from the date you plan to re-enter the U.S. You do not need an I-20 to depart the U.S., only to re-enter.
You should inform your employer of your travel plans and have a contingency employment plan in the event that you are unable to return to the U.S. in time to resume work. Please check with your airline and destination country for testing, documentation, and quarantine requirements before you depart.
Students on OPT must have the following required documents to re-enter the U.S.:
December 2021 Graduates With Pending OPT Applications:
- Valid Passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
- Valid F-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
- OPT I-20 with a valid travel signature from OIS that is less than six months old
- I-797 Notice of Receipt
- Job offer letter, if applicable
December 2021 Graduates With Approved OPT and Future Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Start Date:
- Valid Passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
- Valid F-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
- OPT I-20 with a valid travel signature from OIS that is less than six months old
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Job offer letter, if applicable
Students With Pending STEM OPT Applications:
- Valid Passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
- Valid F-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
- STEM OPT I-20 with a valid travel signature from OIS that is less than six months old
- I-797 Notice of Receipt
- Expired OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Proof of current employment or offer letter
Students on Active OPT and Active STEM OPT:
- Valid Passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
- Valid F-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
- STEM OPT I-20 with a valid travel signature from OIS that is less than six months old
- Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Proof of current employment or offer letter
- Please make sure you have submitted your OPT reporting requirements if you are on approved 12 month OPT and make sure you have submitted your STEM OPT extension reporting requirements if you are on approved STEM OPT Extension
Additionally, below are seven considerations that may impact your decision to travel:
- All foreign national adults (with limited exceptions) traveling to the U.S. by air must provide proof of full vaccination with a W.H.O. approved COVID-19 vaccine.
- All air travelers aged two and older, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, must show documentation of a negative viral test result taken within one day of the flight’s departure to the U.S.
- With the recent emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, those traveling internationally should consider getting a COVID-19 booster vaccine. If you have received a J&J vaccine more than 2 months ago, or Pfizer/Moderna vaccine more than six months ago, you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster to ensure continuity of your immune response. Both USC Pharmacies and the CA MyTurn website offer booster vaccine appointments.
- Flight delays, cancellations and travel disruptions are common and should be accounted for when making travel plans.
- Visa appointments at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad remain backlogged. If you apply for a new visa stamp this winter, you are responsible for scheduling the appointment on your own, researching the country’s quarantine and vaccine requirements, and informing your academic department that your return to the US may be delayed if your visa stamp is not issued in a timely manner. Please keep in mind that it will likely take an additional 3-5 days after your visa is approved before your passport is returned to you with your new visa stamp. Read more…
- Individuals traveling over break should plan on testing within 24-48 hours before arriving in Los Angeles and again 24-48 hours after arriving in Los Angeles. Those travelling internationally should also test again on day five after arriving in Los Angeles.
- OIS will close for the winter recess at 4:00 PM on Friday, December 17, 2021 and will resume regular hours on Monday, January 3, 2022. Requests submitted during winter break will be processed in the order they were received starting Monday, January 3, 2022.