Urgent - Travel with pending H1 approval and Valid Student status

[streetmaster]

Hi Guru's

Can I travel with my H1 status still pending..... I am expecting my H1 approval sometime next week and I need to travel outside USA in the 2nd week of Oct. Is it safe to travel even if my H1 status is still pending..?

If I get my H1 approved before I leave USA, Can I still comeback on OPT (F1-Visa) since my OPT expires in MAY next year...?

Please respond as this needs to be addressed ASAP.

Thanks for your help.

[itzprams]

Yes, you can travel while your h1B is in process.

But,
If it is applied with COS and gets approved before Sept 30th, you must start working from Oct 1st.

If you travel before it gets approved then COS(if applied) will be abandoned. No issues in that case and you can re-enter on F1.

[streetmaster]

Please respond