Travel during STEM OPT Extension

[rocersunny]

Hi all,

My sister is on F1 visa.
She is currently in India and intend to travel back to US on 01/29/2024 Monday.
She went to India in December when she is in her 12 month OPT.
She applied for STEM OPT Extension and received receipt notice on 11/02/2023.
When we checked with attorneys, they said she can travel back to US as long as she has valid visa, passport, expired EAD and receipt notice for OPT Extension.
On 01/26/2024 Friday, she received approval notice for her STEM OPT Extension on her USCIS account, but still the USCIS website when searching with receipt number shows case received.
Can she travel to US now with approval notice or should she wait for the STEM OPT EAD card and then travel?

[susantanner]

Yes, your sister can travel to US now with approval notice.

minecraftle game

[miriamday]

It's good that your sister has received the approval notice for her STEM OPT Extension. Based on what the attorneys said, it seems she should be okay to travel back to the US with her valid visa, passport, expired EAD, and the receipt notice. It’s always best to have all documents handy just in case. If she needs to book a flight, checking out Cheapair reviews could help her find a good deal. Safe travels to her, and hopefully, everything goes smoothly at the border.