Hi there!
I am currently enrolled in a day 1 CPT college (Texas Weslayan University) in Dallas. I am planning to travel outside the country. I have a valid F1 visa till August. Will I have any issues at the border during reentry? Any help will break greatly appreciated! FYI I am currently located in Chicago but plan to reenter via DFW.
Hey! If your F1 visa is still valid and your SEVIS is active, reentry should be okay — but Day 1 CPT students do sometimes get extra questions at the border.
Make sure you carry:
Your I-20 with updated travel signature
CPT authorization clearly listed on the second page
Employment letter (just in case)
Proof you’re enrolled and actively taking classes
Since you’re reentering through DFW and your school is in Texas, that helps — it shows geographic consistency. Just be ready to explain your program and how CPT relates to it.
Anyone tried apply F1 visa with CPT schools?
One of my friend did, I think during her second year of Westcliff MBA. She successfully got her F-1 renewed in her home country
Which year is that! Things are so different now
Hey! Thanks for sharing — I’ve seen a few people in similar situations, so here’s what I’ve learned from their experiences and my own research: Day 1 CPT + international travel = not impossible, but definitely risky, especially at the port of entry. Even though your F1 visa is still valid, CBP officers at the airport can question you hard about your school, your program structure, whether it’s really in-person, and whether your job relates to your field of study. Since Day 1 CPT programs already get extra scrutiny, you’ll want to be super prepared. Here’s what I’d make sure to carry: Updated I-20 with CPT authorization and travel signature Class schedule showing any required in-person sessions Employment letter (including job duties + how it connects to your major) Proof of tuition payment or recent enrollment verification Printout of SEVIS record (some officers do ask) Also — reentering through DFW is probably better than flying through NYC or SFO (less Day 1 CPT grilling compared to those). That said, each officer is different, so it’s still a bit of a gamble. If you’re early in your CPT program or haven’t completed a full academic year in the U.S., the risk goes up a bit more. Personally, unless it’s an emergency, I’d try to push travel to a semester break (like December) or after your first full semester of CPT, just to be safer.
Don’t go in the middle of a semester as it’s obivious to CBP of the school terms on your I20
I wouldn’t do it under current situation
True, it was last year under a different presidency.. so.. 
hmmm as long as your F1 visa is still valid, I believe there won’t have issues…
Since you’re on Day 1 CPT and planning to reenter on an existing F-1 visa, here are a few key things to keep in mind:
Valid F-1 Visa: It’s good that your visa is still valid — that’s step one. Make sure it won’t expire before your planned reentry date.
I-20 with CPT Authorization: This is crucial. You’ll need a recently signed I-20 (signed within the last 6 months for reentry) that clearly shows your CPT authorization and program details. Make sure the CPT start date, employer, and job location are listed.
Proof of Enrollment & Academic Progress : Bring supporting documents like:
Job Offer Letter (for CPT): Since you’re on CPT, carry a letter from your employer confirming your employment, how it relates to your program of study, and your start date.
What to Watch For :
Since Day 1 CPT has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years, some CBP officers may ask additional questions about your program and how your work is connected to it. Be calm, consistent, and clear. As long as your documentation is solid and you can explain how your studies and job are linked, you should be okay — but expect that you might get secondary inspection.
Reentering via DFW is fine — just make sure you allow plenty of time and have your documents easily accessible.