Can you travel during OPT or STEM OPT? Practical 2026 guide for international students

Travelling as an international student in the United States is rarely as simple as booking a ticket and heading to the airport. When you are on OPT or STEM OPT, the rules become even more detailed. Processing delays, EAD timing, visa questions and border checks can all affect your ability to re-enter and keep working.

This guide focuses on practical scenarios, not only regulations. You will see when travel is usually fine, when it becomes risky, which documents you need and how your employment status shapes everything. Whether you are visiting home or flying to a conference, this 2026 guide helps you plan travel confidently.

Why travel rules matter more during OPT

OPT and STEM OPT are extensions of your F-1 student status. They are not new visas. That means:

• You must keep your F-1 responsibilities active

• Your employment becomes closely tied to your ability to re-enter

• Border officers may ask detailed questions about your work, employer and authorisation

If you travel without the right documents or with unclear employment, you increase your risk at the border. Once you understand the rules and prepare well, travel becomes much more manageable.
(Source: USCIS)

Travel during OPT in 2026: when it is allowed and when it is risky

Your travel options during OPT depend mainly on:

• EAD status

• F-1 visa validity

• Employment situation

• Unemployment days used so far

1. Travel before your OPT is approved

Recommended? No.

This is usually the riskiest time to leave the United States.

If you travel while your OPT application is pending:

• You can only re-enter in F-1 status if your visa is still valid

• USCIS may send you requests for evidence or notices while you are abroad

• If your OPT is approved while you are outside the US, you will normally need your physical EAD card to re-enter in F-1 status to use OPT

You also need to remember that time outside the US can still count towards your unemployment limit in many cases. (Source: USCIS)

Practical takeaway: Avoid international travel until your OPT is approved and you have your EAD in hand, unless a DSO or qualified immigration adviser confirms a specific plan for your case.

2. Travel after OPT approval, before your OPT start date

Many students face this time. You have your EAD card, your start date is in the future, and you want to travel.

Is travel allowed? Yes, as long as you travel and re-enter in F-1 status with the correct documents.

You should carry:

• Valid passport (at least six months into the future)

• Valid F-1 visa

• OPT EAD card

• I-20 with a travel signature no older than six months

• A job offer letter or written evidence that you are actively job searching, strongly recommended (Source: USCIS)

Border officers may ask:

• What work will you be doing

• How it relates to your degree

• Who your employer is and where you will be based

Having a job offer or clear written evidence of upcoming employment usually makes re-entry significantly smoother. Travelling without any proof of work is still possible in some cases, although it raises the level of risk.

3. Travel during active OPT employment

This is often the most straightforward time to travel. Risk is usually lowest when:

• You have active, qualifying OPT employment

• Your job clearly relates to your degree

• You plan to re-enter before your EAD expiry date

• You have not exceeded your unemployment allowance (Source: USCIS)

Carry:

• Passport

• Valid F-1 visa

• EAD card

• I-20 with a travel signature not older than six months

• Employment verification letter on company letterhead

• A few recent pay slips, where available (Source: Harvard.edu)

Real-world tip: Tell your employer you are travelling abroad. In rare cases, border officers call employers during secondary inspection to confirm details, so having a prepared HR or manager contact helps.

4. Travel while unemployed on OPT

This area causes the most confusion.

You may travel while unemployed if:

• you re-enter before your EAD expires

• you have not used more than the 90 days of unemployment permitted during standard post-completion OPT

• you can still show that you are actively searching for work

Time abroad normally still counts towards your unemployment total, unless you are considered employed in a qualifying way. (Source: USCIS)

If you are close to your 90-day limit, travel becomes significantly riskier, because:

• Officers may question your intent and job prospects

• Running out of unemployment days can result in a loss of status

Travel during STEM OPT in 2026: what changes

The 24-month STEM extension keeps you in F-1 status and, in some respects, makes travel more flexible. The details still matter.

1. Travel while your STEM OPT is pending

If you file your STEM OPT application on time, before your initial OPT expires, you receive an automatic 180-day extension of work authorisation while the application is pending.

Travel rules while STEM is pending:

• You can usually re-enter while your initial OPT EAD is still valid

• You should avoid long trips that push you close to the end of the 180-day automatic extension

• Risk increases once your initial OPT expiry date has passed, even though you have the automatic extension on paper

Carry:

• Passport

• Valid F-1 visa

• Unexpired OPT EAD card

• I-20 showing STEM OPT recommendation and a recent travel signature

• Your employment letter

• STEM OPT receipt notice (Form I-797C), essential during the automatic 180-day extension period.

2. Travel after your STEM OPT is approved

Travel usually becomes more predictable again once your STEM OPT is fully approved and your new EAD is active.

Low-risk scenarios typically involve:

• A valid, unexpired STEM OPT EAD

• Full-time paid employment (20 hours per week or more)

• An E-Verify employer

• An I-20 with a travel signature less than six months old

Carry the full travel package:

• Passport

• Valid F-1 visa

• STEM OPT EAD card

• I-20 with STEM endorsement and recent travel signature

• Employer letter confirming ongoing work and, ideally, dates of authorised leave

2. Travel after your STEM OPT is approved

Travel usually becomes more predictable again once your STEM OPT is fully approved and your new EAD is active.

Low-risk scenarios typically involve:

• A valid, unexpired STEM OPT EAD

• Full-time paid employment (20 hours per week or more)

• An E-Verify employer

• An I-20 with a travel signature less than six months old

Carry the full travel package:

• Passport

• Valid F-1 visa

• STEM OPT EAD card

• I-20 with STEM endorsement and recent travel signature

• Employer letter confirming ongoing work and, ideally, dates of authorised leave

3. Travel when changing STEM OPT employers

Under STEM OPT, you must keep your I-20 and Form I-983 training plan fully updated whenever you change jobs or there is a major change in your role.

Travelling before you update:

• Your DSO records

• Your new I-20 with STEM details

• Your Form I-983

creates a risk, because border officers may see outdated information in SEVIS.(Source:USCIS)

Practical step: complete all employer change updates and receive your revised I-20 before leaving the United States.

4. Travel on STEM OPT with remote or hybrid work

Remote work can be permitted on STEM OPT as long as:

• Your I-983 describes how training and supervision work in a remote or hybrid setting

• Your employer can clearly explain how they supervise and evaluate you

• Your DSO is comfortable that the arrangement meets current STEM rules. (Source: USCIS)

If officers ask about your work location at the border, be ready to:

• Explain your day-to-day work pattern and training

• Show your employment letter

• Provide your supervisor’s contact details

Documents you must carry when travelling on OPT or STEM OPT

Here is a simple list you can screenshot and save.

Mandatory:

• Passport, valid for at least six months beyond re-entry

• Valid F-1 visa

• EAD card (OPT or STEM OPT)

• I-20 with travel signature less than six months old

Highly recommended:

• Employment letter on company letterhead

• One to three recent pay slips

• Proof that your work relates to your degree, for example a short role description or offer letter

• STEM OPT receipt notice, if your extension is pending

Optional but helpful:

• Copy of your original job offer

• Company HR contact details

• Supervisor contact details

Clear, well-organised documents and calm, consistent answers usually make re-entry smoother.

When travel becomes risky

Students often focus on “Is travel allowed?” and forget “Is travel sensible right now?” These scenarios usually increase risk.

1. Your F-1 visa has expired

You must apply for a new F-1 visa to re-enter. Approval is never guaranteed, and some consulates scrutinise applications more closely for graduates on OPT or STEM OPT.

2. You are unemployed

You may still be able to travel, although officers can question:

• Your intent to return to the United States

• How you plan to use your remaining OPT time

• Your job search strategy

If you are close to the 90-day unemployment limit (or 150 days total for those who use both OPT and STEM OPT), travel becomes more complex. (Source: USCIS)

3. Your initial OPT has expired and STEM is pending

You may have automatic 180-day work authorisation while STEM is pending, as long as you filed on time. Even with this, some advisers treat international travel in this window as high risk. Officers and airline staff do not always understand the 180-day rule.

4. Your job responsibilities changed recently

Significant changes in duties or hours can require an updated I-983 and I-20 under STEM rules. Travelling with outdated documents is not ideal.

5. You are changing employers

Avoid travelling in the middle of a job change. Wait until:

• your new I-983 is approved by your DSO

• your I-20 reflects your new employer details

6. You rely entirely on remote work

Remote roles are common, although they can raise extra questions. Detailed documentation of your supervision, tools and training is essential.

How Prodigy Finance supports your OPT and STEM OPT plans

Successful, low-stress travel during OPT starts long before you book flights. It begins with careful planning of your programme, funding and timelines.

Prodigy Finance supports international master’s students from more than 120 countries with postgraduate loans that do not require collateral or a co-signer. Funds are disbursed directly when we send the funds to your school, and repayments begin after your grace period. This structure gives you breathing space as you finish your degree, move into OPT or STEM OPT and manage early job searches.

If you are targeting US master’s programmes that offer strong OPT and STEM OPT pathways, checking your loan eligibility* early helps you focus on academics, paperwork and future travel plans.

Conclusion: travel during OPT is possible with preparation

Here is a quick summary to keep in mind.

• Travel before OPT approval tends to be high risk

• Travel after approval but before the start date is possible with full documents

• Travel during active OPT employment is usually the safest window

• Travel while unemployed can create extra questions and risk

• Travel on STEM OPT while pending is possible with your receipt and valid OPT EAD

• Travel on approved STEM OPT is generally manageable with complete documentation

Your documents matter.Your employment situation matters.Your preparation and confidence at the border matter.

Once you understand these pieces, travelling during OPT or STEM OPT feels far less stressful.

*The purpose of this guide is to provide prospective students with a general overview of the international student visa process and should not be regarded as legal or immigration advice, or as a substitute for official guidance from government authorities, embassies, or consular offices. While we’ve taken care to compile accurate and up-to-date information, Prodigy Finance Limited does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or outdated details. We strongly encourage all prospective students and readers to consult the official government websites and immigration authorities relevant to their study destination for the most accurate and current information. Prodigy Finance Limited is not authorised to provide immigration services and cannot offer personalised visa advice or assistance.