Information on this page is intended for those F-1 and J-1 visa holders who have completed their programs at Notre Dame and are in their post-completion period of work authorization (e.g. F-1 Optional Practical Training and J-1 Academic Training).
*PLEASE NOTE: If an F-1 or J-1 visa holder departs the US after their I-20 or DS-2019 program completion date without having applied for work authorization, their status will automatically complete and they will no longer be eligible to return in F-1/J-1 status or to apply for post-completion work authorization.
Federal regulations require you to have evidence of your lawful status with you at all times. Keep all immigration documents in a secure location. You should be sure to carry hard copies of all listed documents when traveling.
Travel in the U.S. and U.S. Territories
While traveling outside of the South Bend area, we recommend you carry:
- Passport
- I-94 record (reflecting your most recent entry to the U.S.)
- I-20 or DS-2019
While a U.S. issued driver's license may be used to board a domestic flight, it is not evidence of lawful status in the U.S.
Though it is extremely unlikely students will be questioned while traveling domestically via car, train, or bus, having these documents provides immediate proof of lawful status in the U.S. As federal regulations allow Border Patrol agents some authority within 100 miles of any U.S. boundary, it is in students’ best interest to carry proof of lawful status in case they were to be stopped and questioned.
Note: Travel to U.S. Territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is considered domestic travel, meaning you would not go through immigration upon your return to the continental United States. See more information here.
Travel Outside of the U.S.
If students leave the United States –even for a short trip– and will be returning to the U.S., they will need the following immigration documents:
- Passport valid at least 6 months into the future of when you plan to return
-
F-1/J-1 visa stamp that is unexpired and valid for further entries to the US
- If the visa has expired and the student exits the US, they will need to apply for a new visa prior to returning (includes enrolled students and OPT/STEM OPT students)
- See information about applying for a visa renewal here
-
I-20 or DS-2019
- Most recent document that ISSA has issued to you
- Has a valid travel signature - instructions for requesting a travel signature via ISSAlink after graduation can be found here
- Signatures are valid for 6 months for F-1 students on OPT and STEM OPT, and 12 months for J-1 students on AT
-
EAD card or Employment Authorization Letter
- An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the USCIS for F-1 students on OPT or STEM OPT; or
- An employment authorization letter issued by ISSA for J-1 students on AT
Additional supporting documents that may be helpful to carry:
- I-901/SEVIS fee receipt (if you have lost this document, you can reprint it through this page)
- Employer Letter confirming the details of your employment and verifying that your employer knows you are traveling and expects you to return to continue working
Travel and Post-Completion OPT
| After I-20 program end date, Post-completion OPT application NOT SUBMITTED | Departure from U.S. completes F-1 status. Student is no longer eligible to apply for OPT. |
| After I-20 program end date, Post-completion OPT application PENDING | Travel is not advisable. Riskiest time to exit U.S., as USCIS may send a Request for Evidence (RFE). If student is not present in the U.S., they may not be able to respond within the deadline. If application is denied while the student is outside the U.S., their F-1 status is completed. |
| After I-20 program end date, Post-completion OPT APPROVED |
May return to U.S. to search for or begin employment with EAD card in hand. See required travel documents listed above. |
Travel and STEM OPT
| Before Post-completion OPT end date, STEM OPT application NOT SUBMITTED | Travel as usual while on Post-Completion OPT. Remember that STEM OPT application must be filed from within the U.S. prior to the end date of Post-completion OPT (as per dates on EAD card). |
| After Post-completion OPT end date, STEM OPT application PENDING | Travel is not advisable. Risky time to exit U.S. since the Post-completion authorization is expired, and the STEM OPT has not been approved. |
| After Post-completion OPT end date, STEM OPT APPROVED |
May return to U.S. to continue employment with new STEM OPT authorization and EAD card in hand. See required travel documents listed above. |
Special Notes
- For students on Post-completion OPT/STEM OPT, the Employment Authorization (EAD) card states “Not valid for entry to the US” which means that it is not a sufficient travel document by itself; it must be carried alongside your other valid F-1 documents for entry into the United States.
- Reminder: If the STEM OPT application is not submitted prior to the Post-Completion OPT end date, then the F-1 status is ended. Students will need to depart within their 60 day grace period.