International Travel
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      1. The White Paper for F1 Students
      2. F1 - OPT
      3. International Travel

      OPT - International Travel with an Expired F-1 Visa

      This article explains how to re-enter the U.S. during OPT if your F-1 visa has expired and lists the materials you need to prepare.

      The F-1 visa allows you to enter the U.S. Once you have entered the country, your legal status is determined by the validity of your I-20. Therefore, during OPT, unless you need to leave and re-enter the U.S., you can legally stay and work in the country until your I-20 expires.

      However, if your F-1 visa expires during the OPT period and you need to travel internationally, you must renew your F-1 visa once you leave the country. Since your coursework is complete, renewing your F-1 visa during OPT can be challenging, yet not impossible.

       

      Renewing F-1 Visa in Your Home Country

      Required Materials for Visa Interview

      To renew your F-1 visa in your home country, you will need to gather the following materials:

      • Copy of DS-160 confirmation page

      • Passport (with at least 6 months of validity)

      • Latest I-120

      • EAD card

      • Job offer letter

      • Employment verification letter

      • Pay stubs and tax statements

      • Resume

      • SSN

      • Two passport-style photos

      Based on our experience, only the first four items are usually checked. However, to be safe, you should prepare all of the documents listed above.

      Common Visa Interview Questions

      • When did you graduate?

      • What was your major?

      • Where are you working? What is your job title? What are your job duties? How did you find this employer? Can you describe your employment condition?

      • How many years of OPT do you have? In which year are you now?

      How to Answer Visa Interview Questions?

      Most interview questions aim to verify the legality of your OPT, including your eligibility, the relevance of your job, and your employment condition. It is important to provide honest answers. Additionally, since you are still on a nonimmigrant F-1 visa, you must demonstrate that you do not have immigrant intent. You can say that you hope to gain valuable experience through an internship during your OPT and plan to return home to work afterward.

       

      Applying for an F-1 Visa in a Third Country

      If you want to save time and costs, you can apply for an F-1 visa in a third country.

      Popular Choices: Canada and Mexico

      • If you plan to travel to Canada, you may need a Canadian visa based on your nationality. Make sure to review the specific visa requirements before your trip. If you go to Mexico within a 30-km range of the U.S. border, you can use your I-94 or I-20 as an entry permit (your U.S. visa must be valid when entering Mexico).

      • You will need to complete Form DS-160. If the embassy or consulate indicated on the DS-160 differs from the one booked through the system, you have to fill out a new DS-160 form. You must fill out the form before booking an appointment, as you cannot view available slots without completing the form.

      • To book the interview, visit the official visa appointment website. Select “Canada”/”Mexico” first and then select “Apply.” Follow the instructions to complete the booking process.

      Required Materials

      • Passport (with at least 6 months of validity)

      • Current and previous I-20s

      • Copy of DS-160 confirmation page

      • EAD card

      • 2 passport-style photos

      • I-94

      • Bank statement

      • Job offer letter

      • Resume

      • Paystubs and W2 (if available)

      • SSN

      Important Notes

      • You should avoid expressing any immigrant intent during the interview.

      • To expedite the process, you can check the U.S. embassy’s website to determine which consulate has the shortest wait.

      • In addition to Canada and Mexico, EU countries, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Morocco, and Cambodia can also process non-residents’ U.S. visa applications.

      • The payment methods for the visa application fee vary by country, so make sure you know how to pay in advance.

      • Depending on the complexity of your case, the consular officer in the third country may suggest you return to your home country to apply, which could increase both your time and travel expenses.

      • The success rate of visa applications from a third country is no higher than in your home country. The success of an application depends on whether your materials are sufficient and whether you can convince the visa officer that you have no immigrant intent and will not overstay in the U.S.

      Resources:

      Click here to apply for a U.S. visa in Singapore.