Work VisaJun 15, 2018
MicrosoftYSLX21

International Travel on F1 OPT After H1B Approved with Change of Status

Hi, Has anyone successfully travelled Internationally and reentered USA on F1 Visa with valid EAD card, when they have a H1B visa with change of status approved for a Future date? So I am on F1 Visa in USA with Valid OPT , my H1B is approved with change of status to take place in October. If I leave USA and return before October without H1B stamp, Can I still renter on F1 visa!? TC - 100K

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Amazon ohoV27 Jun 15, 2018

Don’t do it unless it is absolutely required. It gets super annoying to deal with all these gray area issues.( I know a friend in same situation who didn’t go to India in his sister’s engagement).

Microsoft YSLX21 OP Jun 15, 2018

Can u elaborate the situation of your friend? If it was sisters engagement, he should have been able to go and come back after h1b start date with stamp

Amazon ohoV27 Jun 15, 2018

He could. But still he didn’t. To avoid all the risk.

Pandora Hdkr Jun 15, 2018

I know one of my buddies did it. I will reach out to him and let you know

Microsoft YSLX21 OP Jun 15, 2018

Ok, that would be great! Let me know

Dolby ddplus Jun 15, 2018

I did it back in 2012. Had to file an amendment and stuff. With current situation, these days it is riskier than that.

Microsoft YSLX21 OP Jun 15, 2018

Why would u need to file an ammedment and what for?

Cisco ( -.- ) Jun 15, 2018

Same here. Did the same. But back then never gave a second thought, plus it was work related travel.

Broadcom Ltd. Tockhan Jun 15, 2018

COS approval is tied to recent I94. If you travelled out you can enter on F1 but COS will be invalid. However that doesn’t mean you lost H1B. You should be able to file for COS again and will not be considered under current year CAP. Consult with your employer immigration lawyer.

Intuit MEhkwq Jun 20, 2018

Depends on if your opt is still valid or are you using cap gap? I am in the same shoes as you. Company attorney told me I can travel with valid documents. Shouldn’t be an issue.