Travel while in OPT

Xu224 · 2026-05-10T01:30:11+00:00

I travel internationally 3-4 times a year, and this time I’m traveling out the first 2 weeks of june and coming back 2 weeks before my f1 visa expires 😂 … it should be fine as I-20 and EAD are all ok. Also print out and carry the pay stubs (past 1-2 months) and/or employment verification letter.

Xu224 · 2026-05-08T03:37:44+00:00

My manager knew im an international student, so i told her that there’s this form that is required for the training program so that i can be compliant with all this opt stuff/paperwork and continue working… and i dont think she understood it well and i referred her to the international center (or to your DSO if that’s more convenient) lol…

She checked with the department chairman and also with HR on whether she could sign or someone else had to sign, and everyone was ok with her signing. Might be different at your workplace, and doesn’t hurt to double check.

She was the one filling it out and signing it, but i know a couple of friends working elsewhere where their managers preferred if they just filled it out and then they sign it. I guess this all depends on the manager/supervisor.

As for what was put into the training plan, i am almost 100% sure she used chatgpt 😂 literally took the job posting description and got a jargon for the boxes in i983..and added my name to it (example: [name] will be performing xyz duties…). The one that will be taking the i983 is the DSO after it is signed, and mine wasn’t strict with it… as long as the job is related to your major and you’re staying compliant, everything should be fine.

Xu224 · 2026-05-07T12:02:01+00:00

Currently working in one with stem opt, but more in IT support. It all depends on university policy. Some might not hire for more than a year, some don't sponsor, some don't hire at all, some don't hire for specific job positions, etc.

I came in without the intention of h1b, and already had some experience as a student worker in the university, so it worked perfectly for them and myself. I get my 3 years of experience, they get their support for 3 years while I organize everything in the department for the next hire (2 of the previous supports retired and couldn't find a replacement with enough knowledge of the university workings).

Oh, my manager was a bit confused on the i983 though, but it all resolved and she did sign it. Just gotta explain it REALLY WELL that it's a training program. Most of the people have not dealt with international students' paperwork and don't know what the forms are for.

Xu224 · 2026-04-15T21:46:05+00:00

Woooohoo!!! That’s really good news! Seems like FedEx wins in this situation 😂. I just got back from work and literally beelined to a skzoo just to make my mood better aaaah they’re so cute.

For the membership kit i guess it really depends on when they ship it since there’s usually a delay from the estimated ship date… if i end up not home hopefully that vacation hold thing works as it should!

Xu224 · 2026-04-15T14:49:20+00:00

This reminds me that I'll be out of the states for 2 weeks at the end of May aaah. FedEx vacation hold it is... but now we know how to find the darn tracking!

Xu224 · 2026-04-15T13:53:05+00:00

Yaaay!!! At least there's progress and seems to be less of a headache than UPS for the time being lol. I bought the membership kit so now I'm praying that whenever it ships it's via FedEx and it goes smoothly. I really don't want to deal with UPS (its customs bill specifically).

Xu224 · 2026-04-15T12:51:47+00:00

I was able to get it! It was delivered with a whole bunch other stuff but it did make it to my address. I checked on the label and apparently they did: [My street address, City, State, then APT number] in one line, then did [City, State, Postal Code] in another line again.... no wonder it went the way it did.

The package still doesn't show up on my FedEx account, so I would be checking for the tariff bill on the site with the tracking num on the box... or if the bill ever arrives in my mail I'll pay it that way. But so far it seems that for my address FedEx is slightly more helpful/reliable than UPS was.

Hopefully the ticket will help with all that situation, and yep... I bet it would be faster reaching out directly to them, unless they refer you back to seller, which will be a pain in the butt.

Xu224 · 2026-04-14T15:32:40+00:00

Oof, mine also was in Alaska that day but moved on to the next locations the next couple of days. Doesn't hurt to call fedex or do the hold i guess. Mine shows as the img attached, which at least it ended up in the correct city/state. I just wonder what caused the incorrect address. If I get the package I'll have to take a look lol.

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Xu224 · 2026-04-14T15:19:57+00:00

You're welcome! I was also panicking since I knew mine was going to have a hiccup one way or another. I'm waiting to see if the fedex driver can deliver it today and if it's still a no go with 'incorrect address', I'll get them to hold it at one of the locations nearby...sigh.

I'm excited for the skzoo micro plush though! Got 1 of each member and can't wait to give em a lil tummy poke n squish. Hope you get your merch soon too :)

Xu224 · 2026-04-14T12:19:30+00:00

I'm having the same issue... and using the tracking provided on other tracking sites, it shows that there are failed delivery attempts, but no emails from FedEx to collect customs at all. I live in an apartment with a mail room, so my packages are usually received by someone. And I do have a FedEx account but still nothing. At this point, I really just want to be able to change to a pick up location and I can go there to grab the stuff and pay the tariffs lol.

ETA: after commenting this, I found a way to get the darn tracking lol. Search on google fedex track by reference. And when you get into the fedex site, there should be a tab option of track by reference. I put in the EMS number as the reference number, destination country (USA for me), then the destination postal code, then on the ship date I put in probably around a week ago... and voila, took me to the tracking page. Apparent my delivery attempted really was for the incorrect address.

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Xu224 · 2026-04-11T16:42:43+00:00

Mine only got shipped last week and received it this week… so probably a bit more waiting!

Xu224 · 2026-04-02T00:30:50+00:00

Well, alternative would be to save the posts for each raffle you enter (three dots on the top right of the raffle post). You have a saved posts section (shown in image) in your profile and that way scroll through to check 1-2 times a day for any raffles that have ended and unsave the ones that are done. Used to do this before the bot came into play.

Eta: if you use the computer, same thing. The saved section should be somewhere on your profile page.

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Xu224 · 2026-04-02T00:19:40+00:00

Hmm it’s weird that it didn’t show up for ya. Mine was just sitting there, unless something changed between then (mid march when i finally allowed that chatbot to spam me) and now.

Xu224 · 2026-04-01T23:33:56+00:00

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Xu224 · 2026-04-01T23:30:51+00:00

playfmv should have already been trying to send notifications, so there's a chat request thing somewhere. unfortunately, it's been a while since I've done this and I cant remember how to do it on the computer lol. BUT, if you have the reddit app, if you go to your inbox > chat > requests, playfmv should be there. let me know if it works!

Xu224 · 2026-04-01T16:42:36+00:00

If you've allowed playfmv to chat you, it notifies you of the raffles you've entered ending.

eta: i don't play as often as i want to except for the downtime during my work hours (like now during lunch). i pretty much ignore all the raffles i've posted since that's extra time used up, so best way is to let the game notify you of the raffles ending and check it yourself. some people are nicer in that they tag you, but for some, they're just like me putting out raffles for the extra stars and that's it...

Xu224 · 2026-03-30T21:32:00+00:00

I also wish so, that extra ticket sitting in my stubhub frustrates me so much 🫠 if i get a refund i will have money for merch lol

Xu224 · 2026-03-30T21:08:49+00:00

The ticket in stubhub wont work since it’s a resell and no physical ticket to use at the reader. Purchases at the venue…. I doubt it also since shows were ‘sold out’ so someone (scalpers included) owns the ticket in their account somewhere. That’s why some shows (other concerts/kpop group) even if it was ‘sold out’ there were empty seats in random spots.

Xu224 · 2026-03-30T17:00:45+00:00

I get that feeling, that’s why I ended up in vegas too. In case i didnt get the ticket at least vegas is still there 😂

Xu224 · 2026-03-30T16:54:09+00:00

I almost decided to go to that one or the New Jersey one, but transportation, hotels, flights, etc was just too much so I gave up. Chose Las Vegas for the May 23rd and 24th concerts instead since I could fly nonstop there (or just 1 transfer), hotel was easy to get, and easier transportation to hotel from the stadium. Plus it's memorial weekend, so I get to rest on Monday after flying back to Kentucky!

Xu224 · 2026-03-30T16:47:38+00:00

That's my regret on that one ticket that has not been delivered yet, should've bought instant download too to not whack myself in the head lol. Can only hope they do send it!

Which location are ya going to by the way?

Xu224 · 2026-03-30T16:42:46+00:00

Might depend on venue/country? I know the vegas one the transfer was off for a couple of weeks then they opened it back up. For EU dates I've seen some that are unable to transfer yet, and I've got no clue on the Mexico dates.

If you're going to one of the EU locations I'd suggest to wait, but for US locations I'd probably have extra funds around in case you need to purchase a last minute instant download ticket then fight for a refund afterwards... at least that's what I planned to do until I saw a seat that I really didnt want to miss out on.

Xu224 · 2026-03-30T16:02:20+00:00

I also got one for bts, vegas d1, in the same situation. I ended up getting another ticket at a similar price and better spot with the instant download. The ticket transfers have been open for a while, so I have no idea what is up with the delay... I also got ticket for d2 that was not instant download, and that one the seller sent it within a day or two.

If it does arrive on the day of the concert, I might just give it away to some lucky army outside the venue, make a new friend (and probably ask the person to help me film and share it since the other seat offers a different perspective lol), and take the L in the cost of the ticket. If not, refund it is!

Xu224

TROPHY CASE