Replace a Lost EAD
If the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is lost, stolen, or incorrect, the student can apply to USCIS for a replacement card. The process is very similar to the original application process, and generally the student will need to pay the filing fee again.
- Once you have received a receipt notice for the replacement card application, you may be eligible to begin working. Contact ISSA to confirm whether you are eligible.
Lost or Stolen EAD
To apply for a replacement card because the card was lost or stolen, the student will need to gather and submit the following documents online that they submitted with their original application:
- New original Form I-765 indicating:
- Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document.
- they HAVE previously applied for OPT/STEM and include all application receipt numbers under Additional Information
- current I-765 filing fee (if lost in the mail, student may be eligible to apply for a filing fee waiver but this requires a letter from USPS that it was lost)
- note in "Additional Informaiton" explaining original EAD has been lost, stolen, or not delivered by mail
- copy of current I-20 with OPT Approval (request an updated I-20 in ISSAlink, if necessary)
- copy of passport bio page
- copy of F-1 visa stamp, if applicable
- copy of I-94 record
- copy of I-797 receipt notice and approval notice (if available)
- copy of all previous EAD cards
If additional documentation must be uploaded (e.g. police report if card was stolen, letter from USPS confirming that it was not delivered), upload after submitting the new I-765.
Error on EAD
If there is an error on the card (e.g. misspelled name), USCIS provides two correction options, based on who made the error:
If your EAD contains incorrect information that is not due to a USCIS error, the student must submit the list as noted above plus the card containing the error. The letter will explain how the card needs to be corrected.
If your EAD contains incorrect information because of a USCIS error, they will make the appropriate correction at no additional cost to the student. In these cases, the student not need to submit a new Form I-765 or a filing fee. Instead, they must submit:
- the original card containing the error,
- a letter containing a detailed explanation of the card error,
- copy of the original I-20, and
- supporting documentation on the correct information.
We strongly recommend that before sending your card away for a correction:
- make a photocopy of the card,
- provide the card to your employer for the employment hiring process, SSN application, or Driver License renewal
Contact ISSA with any questions regarding this process. Students are responsible to ensure they are filing the current version of the Form I-765 online.