Travelling to the US as tourist while on OPT
I'm currently on post-completion OPT, but my start date is in September. I'm a Canadian citizen and had planned a week-long trip to the US in August. My school advisor said that I could not switch status from F1/OPT to B2/tourist without my F1 being cancelled and my OPT being revoked. She also said it was OK to enter the US prior to starting employment.
However, I wonder if entering twice is another issue. It seems like I might not be able to go on this trip given I can't enter as a tourist and yet I'm not there to start work, so I'm not sure if I can be admitted under F1. It just seems surprising that as a Canadian I wouldn't be able to visit the US (without losing my OPT status). Is there any way I can enter and leave the US to go on this trip prior to starting work?
Best Answer
A Google search for "opt reentry as tourist" shows that many universities say the same thing your advisor told you, that being admitted to the US as a tourist would invalidate your OPT.
You've correctly identified the potential problem: "I'm not there to start work, so I'm not sure if I can be admitted under F1". The limitation seems surprising, and you're not even guaranteed to have problems with it, but it's too much of a risk. You would be well advised to enter the US only for the purpose of your OPT work. In your case this means either cancelling your week-long trip, or going to it with the plan to stay in the US until you start work.
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Can I reenter the US while on OPT?
Students who have an EAD card for post-completion OPT and evidence of either a job or a job offer are allowed to leave and re-enter the U.S. during their OPT period.What do you need to reenter the US When you travel internationally while on OPT?
Summary. The best case scenario for traveling abroad while on OPT is that you have a valid passport, valid F-1 visa, valid EAD, and I-20 with a recent travel signature, and you are coming back to work on your OPT.Can I travel outside the US while my OPT is pending?
You may travel abroad and reenter while your I-765 OPT application is pending without your departure canceling your OPT application. You must reenter the U.S. before the graduation date on your I-20. To reenter you must have the following documents: Valid passport.Can I travel in the US with my employment authorization card?
No. This card authorizes parole, not admission, to the U.S. Parole is not an admission or "entry". If you obtain this card, you may use it to travel abroad and return to the U.S. Upon arriving at a port-of-entry, you should present the card to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer to request parole.Traveling on OPT or STEM OPT (What You Must Know!!)
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