When departing the U.S., make sure you have the following documents with you:

• A copy of the O-1 petition (form I-129)
• The authentic I-797 approval notification (kindly request this from our office before traveling internationally)
• Your current passport
• Evidence demonstrating your maintenance of O-1 status (three recent paystubs)

To re-enter the U.S. from all countries except for brief trips (less than 30 days) to Canada & Mexico, you must possess a valid O-1 visa in your passport (see below). Before seeking the O-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate/Embassy abroad, please examine the U.S. Consulate/Embassy website where you will apply for the visa to ascertain if they necessitate supplementary documents beyond those listed above. Please be aware that Canadian citizens are not subject to the visa stamp requirement.

Travel to Canada and Mexico: You can visit Canada and Mexico for durations of less than 30 days without an O-1 visa in your passport (while still required to carry the other documents mentioned above). For comprehensive details regarding automatic visa revalidation, please consult the information available on the Department of State’s website.

Important Steps to follow upon your return to the U.S. from overseas

Before traveling While in O-1 Status, Print your electronic I-94 if applicable, using your passport to access the record.

Double check the accuracy of the following details on the printed I-94:

• Your name should match the one in your passport.
• The correct visa classification, which should be O-1.
• The end date on the I-94 should align with the expiration date on your O-1 approval notice (Form I-797), or it may be extended by 10 days beyond this date.
• If your I-94 is shortened due to passport expiration before the I-797, your status will terminate on the date specified on the I-94 record instead of the O-1 approval notice.

Contact the Office of International Services (OIS) if you detect any inaccuracies or discrepancies in the data, or if the end date on the I-94 does not correspond to your O-1 approval notice (or the O-1 approval end date plus 10 days).

Related Post: Tips to Consider When Traveling While on OPT Pending

Related Post: Other than H1B, what are the options after OPT expires? How to obtain an O-1 visa?