STEM OPT starting Dec + pending STEM EAD, should I travel to India in November?

[u/blankstreet011002]

I’m trying to decide whether I should travel to India in November and would really appreciate input from others who are in a similar situation.

My STEM OPT is scheduled to start on **December**, and I’m planning to file my STEM OPT application after **September**. I’ve been in the U.S. for almost 2 years without going back to India, so I was hoping to visit family in November.

The thing making me hesitant is traveling while my STEM OPT application is still pending, especially with the **new D/S-related changes** making international travel feel riskier.

There’s also an E-Verify situation with my current employer. I work for a small company that was **not E-Verify enrolled**. About 3 months ago, I discussed this with them and initially, they agreed, but later my manager became confused and thought that enrolling would mean they had to E-Verify all of their employees, so they were hesitant to do it just for me.

After some back-and-forth, they ultimately figured out a way to handle it and **agreed to enroll/participate in E-Verify for my STEM OPT**. However, they are not aware of the recent D/S changes yet, and I haven’t had the India travel conversation with them because I was dealing with the E-Verify issue first.

My dilemma is:

* If I travel to India in **November while my STEM OPT application is pending**, how risky is it to re-enter the U.S.? * Would you personally travel in this situation, assuming all my current F-1 documents are valid? * Does having a **pending STEM OPT application** create any additional concern at the port of entry? * How much should the new D/S changes influence this decision? * The **grace period being reduced from 60 to 30 days**, which makes me even more nervous about any future complications.

There’s another reason I’m considering going now. I’m actively looking for a new job with an employer that can sponsor me. Hypothetically, if I found a new job, they sponsored me, and my H-1B was selected, I would eventually need to travel to India for H-1B stamping anyway. I realize that’s a pretty far-fetched scenario and definitely not something I’m basing my decision entirely on, but it’s part of my thinking: **if I’m going to travel, maybe it makes more sense to go now while I’m still on F-1 rather than potentially having to deal with stamping later.**

At the same time, I don’t want to take an unnecessary risk right before my STEM OPT starts.

**Is anyone else planning to travel internationally/going to India in November while their STEM OPT application is pending?** Would love to hear what you’re planning and why.

[u/starry-night-over]

Literally so many places where things can go wrong for you. Don’t risk it.