Reenter US two days before OPT completion date

[swisslilly 0]

Hi,

I am a Swiss citizen and currently on F1 visa status. I completed my studies 12 months ago and have been working on OPT for the same company for the past 12 months. My OPT/EAD card is expiring on 07 January 2015. I am travelling to Switzerland to spend Christmas with my family and want to return to the US after the New Year in order to prepare for my departure (i.e. pack up my apartment, do some travelling with the US). I am NOT planning to resume work after I return and I have never had any issues entering the US or have overstayed my visas in the past.

Will I have trouble entering the US on 05 January 2015, two days before my OPT expires, to stay for the length of my grace period (60 days)?

OR should I just wait until after 07 January and re-enter on the VWP (90 days tourist)? If so, could I possibly be denied entry because I am returning right after my F1 visa expired?

I have good ties to Switzerland with all my family living there, etc.

I just don't want to be denied entry because the immigration officer might think that I want to come back to stay and work illegally (which is not the case).

Thank you in advance for any insight on this.

Best,

Lilly

[shippingforecast 126]

In my opinion, either way you are entering the country legally, though entering just before your visa expires/just after expiration might raise some eyebrows and trigger further questioning. Take some good physical evidence with you whichever option you choose to prove you plan to return to Switzerland on a specific date and that you have ongoing ties and obligations there.

Best of luck.