F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

When you apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT, receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is the final step before you can begin work. Unfortunately, sometimes EAD cards get lost, misdelivered, or stolen in the mail, even if your approval notices arrive successfully. 

Please be aware there is usually little, if anything, the HIO can do to intervene in cases of a missing EAD. You may ultimately need to apply for a replacement card and pay the fee again. 

Step 1: Confirm that your EAD was mailed

• Log in to your USCIS online account or check your case status using your receipt number.
• If your case status says, “Card Was Mailed to Me,” USCIS has shipped your EAD.
• Click the “Documents” tab or look for a USPS tracking number in the case history or on your USCIS account homepage.
• If the tracking information says “Unavailable,” please contact your HIO advisor to see if we can obtain the tracking information for you.

Step 2: Track the package

• Enter your USPS tracking number online.
• Check if the package shows as:
  • Undeliverable: This means that USPS likely returned your EAD to USCIS. Proceed to Step 3.
  • Delivered: If it says “delivered” but you didn’t receive it, proceed to Step 3.
  • Missing or Lost: Proceed to Step 5. 

Step 3: Undeliverable shipments 

• If USPS determined that your EAD was “undeliverable,” it was most likely returned to USCIS. We recommend that you contact your HIO advisor, and you may need to work with USCIS directly to have your card located and resent.
• Follow the instructions in the online USCIS case status to request that USCIS resend the card to you. Be sure that your current mailing address is on file with USCIS or update it through your MyUSCIS account.
• You can also contact the USCIS customer service number and ask if your EAD was returned and marked as undeliverable. Keep detailed records of your conversation with the customer service agent, including the date you called, and any information the agent gave you. 

Step 4: If the tracking says “Delivered” but you did not receive the card

• Check your mailbox, mailroom, or front desk area—sometimes EADs are delivered to nearby boxes or University mailrooms.
• Ask neighbors or roommates if they received the mail by mistake.
• Contact your local USPS Post Office immediately.
  • Ask to speak with your delivery supervisor.
  • Provide the tracking number and your address.
  • Request a Missing Mail Search.
  • Get a written confirmation or case number of your inquiry.
  • If USPS confirms the card was misdelivered or lost, keep their written confirmation as USCIS may waive the reapplication fee. (In most cases, it is difficult to obtain this documentation from USPS.)
  • If USPS determines the card was delivered correctly or you are unable to obtain written documentation, you will need to pay the fee for the replacement card. 

Step 5: Report the missing EAD to USCIS

If you determine that your EAD is lost:  

• Submit an online e-Request for a “Non-Delivery of Card”
  • Choose: “Did not receive card by mail.”
  • You’ll need your USCIS receipt number, mailing address, and the date on your approval notice. 

Step 6: Apply for a replacement EAD  

If your card cannot be recovered or resent, you must file a replacement application through MyUSCIS online:

• File Form I-765 again using our I-765 OPT or STEM OPT guide.
  • Select “Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document” as your reason for filing.
• Include these documents as part of your application:  
  • Form I-20 – Contact your HIO advisor to obtain an updated version showing that your OPT was approved.  
  • I-797 Approval Notice – Located under the “Documents” tab of your approved I-765 OPT or STEM OPT application in your USCIS Online Account.
  • Signed and dated letter from you explaining the circumstances in which your EAD was lost.  
  • Include the documents from your original application:  
    • OPT
    • STEM OPT
  • If USPS determined that the EAD was lost or misdelivered, you will need a signed letter on USPS letterhead confirming that. USCIS will likely waive the fee if you are able to obtain a letter from USPS.
• After you submit your application for the replacement card, you will receive a receipt. Please share the following sections of the M-274 Handbook for Employers with your employer to determine if you are eligible to start your position while your application for reissuance is pending:
  • 4.0 Completing Section 2: Employer Review and Verification
  • 4.4 Acceptable Receipts
• Scan a copy of your EAD card as soon as you receive it.  

The start date on your EAD is later than expected:

USCIS may approve an I-765 for post-completion OPT with a later start date than the one you requested if: 

• You applied close to your requested start date
• You receive a Request for Evidence
• USCIS has a delay in processing

If this happens, the start date should be the same as the date USCIS approved your application. 

If your start date is significantly later than you requested, contact your HIO advisor. Note that your EAD end date should not be more than 14 months after the graduation or completion date on your I-20. 

Your name is misspelled:

The EAD has a character limit; if your full name is lengthy, it may have been cut off. This is not an error and doesn’t require further action.

You made a mistake during the application process:

One of the most common errors is selecting the wrong eligibility category on your Form I-765.  

•  C03A  – pre-completion OPT (i.e., working for an off-campus employer while you’re still a student) 
• C03B – post-completion OPT
• C03C – STEM OPT 

For any errors that you made during the application process, you will need to reapply to USCIS (if you’re still eligible) to correct your EAD. Include the following documentation: 

• Filing fee
• Updated I-20 showing that your OPT/ STEM OPT has been approved (please contact your HIO advisor to obtain this documentation)
• Copy of your incorrect EAD
• Signed and dated letter stating the error
• Documentation from your original OPT or STEM OPT application. 

When you submit your Form I-765 through MyUSCIS, you may follow the I-765 Application Guide for OPT or STEM OPT with two exceptions: 

• Select “Replacement of lost, stolen or damaged employment authorization document or correction of my employment authorization NOT DUE to USCIS error.” 
• Answer “yes” when asked if you have submitted an I-765 before.  

If the typographical error was made by USCIS:

Keep a copy of all correspondence and documentation that you send to USCIS and make a copy of your EAD showing the error. Present your EAD to your employer prior to proceeding with the correction from USCIS. 

Consult with your HIO advisor about timing of any travel  or renewing a driver’s license or state ID BEFORE requesting a correction from USCIS. Once USCIS receives your documentation, it will take 1-2 months to receive your corrected EAD, and you will not have a valid EAD during this time. This timeline is subject to change by USCIS without advance notice.   

When you’re ready to proceed, follow these steps: 

Step 1: Complete the E-Request form

Complete an E-Request through USCIS using your Receipt Number and “I-765- Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student (c)(3).” 

Complete all required fields, including a description of the error and the correction. You should receive an automated confirmation after submitting your request.  

Step 2:  Mail Documentation to USCIS

1. Write a letter explaining the issue and include your:
   1. Full name as it appears on your passport
   2. Date of birth
   3. SEVIS ID number
   4. Receipt number for your OPT or STEM OPT application
   5. Detailed explanation of the error
   6. Your signature and date
   7. Address where you would like the replacement EAD sent 
2. Documentation from the E-Request you submitted
3. Original, incorrect EAD
4. Reprinted I-20 from the HIO showing that your OPT or STEM OPT has been approved (your HIO advisor can provide a copy to you) 
5. Mail your documents to USCIS using the U.S. Postal Service – make sure to get tracking information
   
   Please mail all documentation to: 
   
   USCIS 
   Lee's Summit Production Facility 
   Attn: I-765 Replacement Cards 
   7 Product Way 
   Lee’s Summit, MO 64002

Keep a copy of the documentation you send to USCIS (including a copy of your incorrect EAD and proof of delivery/tracking information).

Step 3: After you receive your corrected EAD

Make a copy of the front and back of your corrected EAD for your records and follow up with your HIO advisor. 

Provide the updated EAD to your employer.