A former North America-based worker who returned to China on family advice is now trying to reverse that move. More than a month after landing, with OPT still active and an EAD still valid, the question is whether re-entry is still realistic — and whether the time abroad has already started cutting into the unemployment limit. Translation starts: Hoping people with experience, or similar experience, can point me in the right direction. I worked in North America for a while. I listened to my parents, who said there were more opportunities back home and that being closer would make it easier to take care of the family. On impulse, I gave up the job over there and came back to China. I’ve been back for over a month now, and I regret that decision every day. Only after returning did I realize the job market here is completely different from when I left. Either the pay is pushed down to an absurd level, or it’s a 996 schedule you’re expected to be grateful for. The pace I was used to in North America doesn’t match this at all, and I’m anxious and draining myself every day. Honestly, after taking such a big detour, my job situation in China is very bad, and I really regret coming back. What I most want to do now is return to the U.S. My current status: I have an EAD card, my OPT is still valid, I’ve been back in China for over a month, and I’m not currently in an unemployment period. In other words, my OPT status is still active and has not expired.But I’m really panicked. I’ve seen posts online saying that in 2026 there were a lot of new F-1 policies, that after September 15 the D/S system was abolished and replaced with a fixed period of stay, that Customs gives you a new AUD when you enter, and that inspections are getting stricter—checking social media, verifying employer information, and so on. So I want to ask people who have experience: In my situation, is there still a chance of returning to the U.S. now? How bad is the new policy at blocking people? I’ve heard that if the OPT application was filed before September 15, there are some transition protections, but I’ve already been back for over a month. Will I get stopped when I try to re-enter? If I keep job hunting in the U.S., is remote interviewing from China feasible? The time difference is a real problem. Interviews are often scheduled in the middle of the night, and I’m afraid that will hurt my performance. Has anyone else interviewed remotely from China for North American roles and can share what it was like? If I go back to the U.S. without a job offer, will Customs refuse entry outright? I’ve seen a lot of posts saying the risk of returning without an offer is extremely high, and that Customs will ask “Who is your employer?” and “How do you prove you’re coming back to work?” If I start applying to U.S. jobs now and go back only after I have an offer, is that safer? Does the time I’m spending abroad count as unemployment? I remember regular OPT has a 90-day unemployment limit. If I’m not working for a U.S. employer during this time back home, am I using up unemployment days every day?