An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to give individuals with non-immigrant status permission to work in the United States for a specific period. OPT and STEM OPT require different applications with USCIS so you will receive two EADs—one for OPT and for STEM OPT (if STEM OPT eligible).
If your EAD was lost in the mail, you can file a case with USCIS through a non-delivery of a card inquiry. USCIS will determine if the EAD was returned to them and resend the EAD within approximately 90 days of receiving your request.
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If you have not started working: You are technically required to have your EAD to do your I-9, however you can check with your employer to determine their I-9 policies for a card that was not delivered.
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If you have started work, done your I-9, lost your card, and filed for a replacement, you may be able to complete an I-9. Please contact your employer.
You do not need a new OPT I-20 to apply for a replacement EAD. You may use the OPT I-20 already provided. If you would still like a new I-20, you may request one through the I-20 reprint request.
- Complete the EAD replacement application through USCIS.
- Applying for an EAD replacement card can be done online. For detailed instructions, visit the USCIS site.
- For your application, you will need the following items:
- I-765
- If you file online, the I-765 is the online application.
- If you are requesting a replacement EAD for post-completion OPT, select Post-Completion OPT c(3)(B)
- If you are requesting a replacement EAD for STEM OPT, select STEM OPT c(3)(C)
- Reason for Applying: select "replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document NOT DUE to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) error.”
- Mailing Address: this is where USCIS will mail your replacement EAD. You must ensure this is a valid address where you can receive mail. If you do not have a valid mailing address, use ISSS’ address: UMass Amherst, c/o IPO; Address Line 1: 70 Butterfield Terrace; City: Amherst; State: MA; Zip code: 01003-9242
- I-797 approval notice you received for your OPT application
- This should be in your USCIS portal if you did not receive the hard copy in the mail.
- A letter (from you) to USCIS explaining that your card was lost or stolen (accompanied by a copy of the police report, if one was filed)
- Two identical passport-style photographs
- OPT I-20 (you do not need a new one and can use the one previously provided)
- A copy of your Form I-94
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Debit/Credit card payment (click here for current filing fee)
- I-765
- You may request premium processing for a replacement card. You should add this to the replacement application. For instructions on how to request premium processing, please click here.
- Confirm USCIS has received your application and track your application status.
- If you requested the replacement online, you should get your I-797 replacement receipt immediately from your USCIS portal.
- You can check your case status using your receipt number. If you have misplaced your receipt number, you can obtain a status update by calling the USCIS Contact Center.
This type of error occurs when you provide incorrect information on your I-765; you are required to submit and pay for a new EAD.
You do not need a new OPT I-20 to apply for a replacement due to student error. You may use the OPT I-20 already provided. However, if you would still like a new I-20, you may request one through the I-20 reprint request.
If you have employment, you should consider completing the I-9 process before returning your incorrect EAD to USCIS.
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Complete the EAD replacement application through USCIS.
Applying for an EAD replacement card can be done online. For detailed instructions, visit the USCIS site. For your application, you will need the following items:-
I-765
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If you file online, the I-765 is the online application.
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OPT: If you are requesting a replacement EAD for post-completion OPT, select Post-Completion OPT c(3)(B)
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STEM OPT: If you are requesting a replacement EAD for STEM OPT, select STEM OPT c(3)(C)
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Reason for Applying: select "replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document NOT DUE to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) error.”
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Mailing Address: this is where USCIS will mail your replacement EAD. You must ensure this is a valid address where you can receive mail. If you do not have a valid mailing address, use ISSS’ address: UMass Amherst, c/o IPO; Address Line 1: 70 Butterfield Terrace; City: Amherst; State: MA; Zip code: 01003-9242
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I-797 approval notice you received for your OPT application
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This should be in your USCIS portal if you did not receive the hard copy in the mail)
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A letter (from you) to USCIS explaining the error
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In your letter include your Full name, SEVIS ID, Date of birth, Explanation of the error in detail, statement requesting the new EAD to be mailed to you, the address you would like to receive the EAD, and your signature.
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Two identical passport-style photographs
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OPT I-20 (you do not need a new one and can use the one previously provided)
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A copy of your Form I-94
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A copy of your passport biographical page
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Debit/Credit card payment (click here for current filing fee)
You may request premium processing for a replacement card. You should add this to the replacement application. For instructions on how to request premium processing, please click here.
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- Submit Your Replacement Request to USCIS
Students filing for a replacement online must complete the I-765 and upload all documents via their USCIS account. The incorrect EAD will need to be mailed to the appropriate USCIS Lockbox.Remember: If you have employment, you should consider completing the I-9 process before returning your incorrect EAD to USCIS.
- Confirm USCIS has received your application and track your application status.
If you requested the replacement online, you should get your I-797 replacement receipt immediately from your USCIS portal.
You can check your case status using your receipt number. If you have misplaced your receipt number, you can obtain a status update by calling the USCIS Contact Center.
If a typographical error (wrong name, wrong dates, etc.) was made by USCIS, you should request a correction due to Typographic Error for a replacement card to avoid any potential future issues. For detailed form instructions, please see here.
Follow all instructions listed in the Typographic Error request, including returning the incorrect EAD to the appropriate address.
Please contact your ISSS advisor to ensure the error was made by USCIS.
Note: if you have employment and need to do your I-9, ISSS recommends you do your I-9 first and then mail the EAD to USCIS for correction.
It takes approximately 45 days from the time the incorrect card was received by USCIS for applicants to receive a replacement card. Be sure to retain the tracking information to ensure that your incorrect card was delivered to the facility.
Correcting an Error for Other Reasons
To request a correction not due to USCIS error or a name and/or gender change on your EAD card, please follow the directions on the USCIS website.
What if I move while my OPT/STEM OPT is pending at USCIS?
You should not change your mailing address with USCIS at any point in the application process. This will result in numerous delays, missing employment authorization document (EADs), etc.
The U.S. Postal Service WILL NOT forward mail from USCIS! It is extremely important that the address you put on your I-765 application form is valid for 3-5 months after you submit your OPT/STEM OPT application. You can consider using a friend or relative’s address if your name is on their mailbox. You can also consider using ISSS’ address: see the appropriate USCIS Submission section for the correct ISSS address format on the I-765.
I used ISSS as my mailing address with USCIS. How do I get my EAD and approval document?
Once ISSS has acquired your EAD and approval documents you will receive an email notification from us. Please be mindful that while tracking may say it’s delivered, that doesn’t mean ISSS has it in our possession yet. Please wait until we contact you with next steps.
I lost my EAD; can I continue to work?
You may continue to work as your employment authorization is not impacted until the expiration of the lost/stolen EAD. You may need to apply for a replacement EAD as soon as possible. A replacement EAD takes 3-4 months and requires the USCIS fee. See the instructions for applying for a replacement EAD.
If you need to change employers while waiting for a replacement, you will need to show alternative documentation for your I-9 since you don’t have your EAD. Check with your employer’s Human Resources as there are documents they can temporarily accept in lieu of an EAD.
My EAD never arrived in the mail; can I work when my start date arrives with my receipt notice?
You may NOT begin to work until you have the physical EAD in hand, even if the start date has arrived. USCIS does not make duplicates of your EAD card, so the one mailed to you is the only copy. If your card shows as delivered but you do not have it, check with your local post office, your landlord, roommates, neighbors, etc., to make sure the card is really lost and not delivered to the wrong person or returned to the post office. Open a case with USPS and submit a lost card notice to USCIS and they will determine if it was returned to them already and sent to their Undeliverable Mail Office.
If the card was not returned to USCIS or found by the local post office, etc. the only way to get another EAD is to file a replacement application. See our instructions. If you need to start employment while waiting for a replacement, you will need to show alternative documentation for your I-9 since you don’t have your EAD. Check with your employer’s Human Resources as there are documents they can temporarily accept instead of an EAD.
What is an I-9?
A form I-9 is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of an individual hired to work in the United States. All United States employers must complete an I-9 for every employee they hire, regardless of whether the employee is a U.S. citizen or non-citizen.
For OPT/STEM OPT, your EAD card is used to prove both identity and employment authorization.
STEM OPT: If you have not received your new EAD card before your work authorization begins, your expired EAD card and your STEM OPT I-20 can be used to prove your identity and employment authorization, if your OPT EAD card has been expired for less than 180 days.