xxx bro, You can leave the US and come back while your OPT is pending. For example if your graduation date is Dec 17, you can apply for OPT on Dec 16. Historically is take atleast 2 months for the OPT card to come. So if you leave US on Dec 18 and come back before Feb 15, 2006 you should be fine. For further info goto: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm#_Toc81222042 "2.N. Can I reenter if my request for OPT is pending? Yes, you may reenter to search for employment." But the catch is embassy in Ktm. Although the US Immigration and Customs website says you can enter while your OPT is pending, I would not take a chance with the US Embassy in Ktm thesedays...it all depends on the counseller's mood. The website also says this: "2.E. I wish to travel to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands (other than Cuba) adjacent to the United States. Can I return if my visa is expired? Yes, in most cases. You can usually revalidate an expired visa automatically when returning from a visit of less than thirty days to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands adjacent to the United States (other than Cuba) provided that you have a valid SEVIS Form I-20 and a valid unexpired Form I-94. This process is known as automatic visa revalidation." Maybe you can try Mexico or Canada.....or leave out a class needed for graduation during Fall 2005 and take some other class and then goto Canada or Mexico and get visa and then goto Nepal...hehe...anyways goodluck!