Re-entry to Usa on OPT

[newlife1 0]

Hi guys,

I'm on F-1 visa , got my EAD card, Start date is sep15 and I came to my home country due to family emergency on sep 24.

Its been almost 2 months, and now I'm planning to re-enter US.

I do have I-20, EAD card.

Will these be enough to get clear at POE....?

If not let me know what all I need to have a better clearance at immigration...

Also what would be the questions CBP officer ask particularly different from regular questions..?

I'm planning to travel witihin a week from now.. So update ASAP.

Thank you.

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Is Your f1 visa still valid? If not, sorry you are in a mess. OPT EAD is not re-entry permit and visa so you can't get into the U.S. if your visa is expired. Even if your f1 is still valid but you don't have a job on opt (no school of course), cbp officer has sole discretion to deny your entry.

[newlife1 0]

Hey Nancy,

I appreciate forthe reply.

My F-1 visa is still active and also trying to manage to get job offer letter.

So with these things, do I have everything in my checklist..?

What would be questions asked by cbp related to job offer..?

Thanks.

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Hey Nancy,

I appreciate forthe reply.

My F-1 visa is still active and also trying to manage to get job offer letter.

So with these things, do I have everything in my checklist..?

What would be questions asked by cbp related to job offer..?

Thanks.

I meant your physical F1 stamp on your passport, not your OPT status. If your stamp is still valid and everything is in order, POE is not that head-scratching. Well you need to answer them about your employer, your job blah blah... pretty straightforward I believe.

[Pickle 65]

They might or might not ask questions. I wasn't asked a single question. The CBP officer did not even ask for my EAD card, only wanted to see my visa/passport and I-20. I was prepared though with job offer letter, employment start date, emails back and forth between me and employer. Like NancyNguyen said, if your visa in your passport has expired, you can't come back without renewing it and that is a whole different story. Doesn't matter then what your I-20 say.

[newlife1 0]

I meant your physical F1 stamp on your passport, not your OPT status. If your stamp is still valid and everything is in order, POE is not that head-scratching. Well you need to answer them about your employer, your job blah blah... pretty straightforward I believe.

[newlife1 0]

Ok Nancy.

So for the question from CBP officer " what you do now as you done with studies "..?

Actually what would they expect from us..? Is it just an answer or paper work too to support that..?

Often heard that if we are pretty confident about it, We dont need to show any extra thing too...

Im preparing for that question as "Yes, Im done with it and now on OPT, also has job offer. So would join and start working."

Help me out about this....

[Pickle 65]

Ok Nancy.

So for the question from CBP officer " what you do now as you done with studies "..?

Actually what would they expect from us..? Is it just an answer or paper work too to support that..?

Often heard that if we are pretty confident about it, We dont need to show any extra thing too...

Im preparing for that question as "Yes, Im done with it and now on OPT, also has job offer. So would join and start working."

Help me out about this....

If you have a job offer, just tell them (if they even ask) "I am on OPT and already have a job offer. I am starting employment with ABC company on XYZ date. Here is my paperwork I received from them." That should cover it. If they have more questions about what the job entails, just answer everything truthfully.

[newlife1 0]

If you have a job offer, just tell them (if they even ask) "I am on OPT and already have a job offer. I am starting employment with ABC company on XYZ date. Here is my paperwork I received from them." That should cover it. If they have more questions about what the job entails, just answer everything truthfully.

Ok sounds well. Just a bit worried about it what to exactly mention...often came to know some ppl speak diff and will be in trouble.

Thanks for your reply..

[Pickle 65]

Ok sounds well. Just a bit worried about it what to exactly mention...often came to know some ppl speak diff and will be in trouble.

Thanks for your reply..

I don't see how you can get in trouble if you have a valid I-20, non-expired visa, valid EAD card, job offer letter, and answer truthfully. You don't have to elaborate on your answers, just give them the exact information they ask. I know how you feel though, CBP officers can be intimidating. I have never had anything to hide, but I'm always kind of nervous when I'm standing in that line. But like I say, just be honest, give them what they ask for (no less, no more), and you will be fine. Good luck!

[dsohere 0]

If you have a valid F-1 visa, EAD and job offer letter- then you have nothing to worry about. You should be confidant.

Just hand your passport and I-20 and have your EAD and job letter handy in case they ask for more info.

No reason you should be denied entry. So don't worry, be calm and confidant. You have earned that OPT and you have done everything correctly.

Now- you have accrued some days of unemployment (which is ridiculous to count when out of the country) - so the sooner you enter the better and start your job.

[Pickle 65]

Now- you have accrued some days of unemployment (which is ridiculous to count when out of the country) - so the sooner you enter the better and start your job.

Not really that ridiculous considering that you can choose what date you want your OPT to start.

[newlife1 0]

I don't see how you can get in trouble if you have a valid I-20, non-expired visa, valid EAD card, job offer letter, and answer truthfully. You don't have to elaborate on your answers, just give them the exact information they ask. I know how you feel though, CBP officers can be intimidating. I have never had anything to hide, but I'm always kind of nervous when I'm standing in that line. But like I say, just be honest, give them what they ask for (no less, no more), and you will be fine. Good luck!

Hey guys .

Thank you so much for the info you gave.

Finally Im here in USA with no trouble.

I had my POE at ABuDhabi, Saudi arabia.

CBP Officer:

1.What is your status:

Me: F1 on OPT.

2. So where do you stay in home country..which place..Apart from your home place,have you travelled to other places..?

Me.Answered.

3. She asked my I-20 and passport.

4.she asked I had anything food items in my bag.

Me. Told I had none, then she asked to get into other room,where secondary inspection is done.

At this point I'm very tensed.

After entering the room, there were already 8 people very much worried having pale expressions on their face.

After 10min, one officer came and escorted me to CBP officer. She was at the computer.

CBP Officer: so where are going,which place in USA.?

: Have you done with your training or you have any job offer..?

Me: Yes mam, Im done with training,and now i have an offer too, gave the offer letter.

CBP: so what is your major...?.

Me : Electrical engineer

CBP officer: She entered something in her computer,then stamped on my passport."ADMITTED".

Im very much happy because, people say that once asked for second inspection ,they gona screw you with random questions..

Bottom Line:

JUST BE CONFIDENT AND SPEAK TO THEM IN A DIRECT MANNER,JUST GIVE THE ANSWER FOR WHAT THEY ASK YOU.

jUST RELAX AND STAY CALM.