Travel while OPT application is pending

[jaildar]

Hi Everyone,
I am little confused that I applied for OPT in first week of December 2017 and got the receipt I767 form. I have to travel back to my home country for some urgent work for 3 weeks, In USA, I have put my cousin brother's address so REF can be taken care of. Given these, can anybody explain what are the risks of travelling while OPT is pending? Can anyone share his experience?
I read on this website https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel,they say to only travel with caution nothing more but I want to know what exactly are the risks?

Thanks in advance

[jaildar]

can anyone please help?

Hi Everyone,
I am little confused that I applied for OPT in first week of December 2017 and got the receipt I767 form. I have to travel back to my home country for some urgent work for 3 weeks, In USA, I have put my cousin brother's address so REF can be taken care of. Given these, can anybody explain what are the risks of travelling while OPT is pending? Can anyone share his experience?
I read on this website https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel,they say to only travel with caution nothing more but I want to know what exactly are the risks?

Thanks in advance

[scientist2016]

can anyone please help?

As long as you are maintaining your F1 status and have your I20 valid, and have an unexpired F1 visa stamp in your passport you can travel (in others no different from travel during normal F1 status). Remember OPT is in someways an extension of F1.

[jaildar]

Thank you

Hi , Thank you for input but I want to know if anyone traveled while F1-OPT application was pending as my school DSO said that USICS may deny your application citing abandon as the reason which got me confused since I was not able to find any such case. Can anyone share more light on it please?

As long as you are maintaining your F1 status and have your I20 valid, and have an unexpired F1 visa stamp in your passport you can travel (in others no different from travel during normal F1 status). Remember OPT is in someways an extension of F1.

[kevinho]

Update

Hi there? Did you finally go back? I am in the same scenario. I would like to return, my application is still in process, and I don't anticipate getting my EAD card till June.

[jaildar]

Reply

Yes my friends were able to come back to states without any issues while OPT was pending.

[Swal10]

What did you say to the CPB officer when he asked what the purpose of your trip is or why you are coming back?