Check USCIS home page, everything is pretty much clearly written there. As far as  I know you can travel to Nepal only if you have EAD plus job where the employer needs to write a leave approval letter stating that you can continue work immediately after returning to US. It may be a big risk to travel in the transition period. Btw, ask your International Admission Officer for more information.

pacific salmon · May 2, 2009 6:13 AM

onthego, u can travel during opt...list of doc reqd 1.Valid EAD 2. Current I-20 3. Job Offer letter With Leave Approval letter.(Not from Some Shady Consultants) 4. Valid Visa Some of my friends had travelled during OPT without any problem Whatsoever during Jan 2009. But, Still talk to ur School DSO...

Yesai · May 2, 2009 8:44 AM

If your visa has expired then don't go. EAD card isn't required to enter the USA. Valid I-20 is.

Quagmire · May 2, 2009 11:18 AM

thank you for all the replies i am in confusion because my internaional adviser says it's safe to travel in transition before EAD comes but when i talk to people for their opinion, they say it's risky i am still in dillema more opinions sought  

onthego · May 3, 2009 6:14 PM

You're not getting the point onthego. EAD is useless. It doesn't mean shit. It is basically a card that PROVES that you are eligible to work in the US. I currently have an EAD card myself. It is set to expire in July while I'd be graduating in May. The card is meaningless. The new EAD card ( I got after the approval of my OPT ) is meaningless too. You need a valid I-20. In any EAD cards, you'll find "not valid for entry to the US" written at the bottom.

Quagmire · May 3, 2009 7:02 PM

Your international adviser is right. The law is that u can travel out of US and come back while ur OPT application is pending. If ur OPT is approved and u went out of the country without getting job, then ur OPT will be terminated. So as per law its safe to go while OPT is pending. But u never know  when u r returning particularly in these ongoing conditions. People having job n going for H1 stamping have been stuck there for couple of months. So as per law it is allowed to enter. But u should take ur own risk. It all depends on the person at port of entry during returning. I would suggest going only after having job offer.

ark · May 3, 2009 7:27 PM

sabai sathi haru ma sadhubaad you rock guys! btw, if anybody has link from uscis regarding travel during opt, pls share with me thanx again  

onthego · May 4, 2009 1:37 AM

does anybody have any more info? or real life experience

onthego · May 7, 2009 1:27 AM