OPT EAD replacement

This page is part of the OPT and STEM OPT — complete guide cluster. For filing errors that affect the replacement path, read Form I-765 OPT application: the eight common mistakes that get it denied.

Who this is for

An F-1 OPT or STEM OPT holder whose EAD card was lost, stolen, damaged, or issued with a USCIS production error. This includes students on standard post-completion OPT, STEM OPT extension holders, and students with pending OPT applications where the issued card arrived with incorrect information. Employers of OPT holders whose employees have lost or damaged their EAD cards will also find the I-9 compliance guidance relevant.

The controlling source

Primary controlling source: USCIS Form I-765 instructions; 8 CFR § 274a.13(d).

8 CFR § 274a.13(d) governs the replacement of employment authorisation documents. It provides that an individual whose EAD has been lost, stolen, or damaged may apply for a replacement by filing a new Form I-765 with the required fee. For USCIS-issued cards that contain a Service error — such as an incorrect name, date of birth, category code, or validity period — the same regulation permits a fee-exempt replacement provided the original card is returned. The regulation does not create a separate right to employment authorisation during the replacement period; the student’s underlying OPT authorisation remains valid even if the physical card is lost, but the employer may still require a physical document for I-9 compliance.

Four replacement paths

Identify the path before filing. Each path has different evidence requirements and may have different fees.

Lost or damaged — applicant fault

File a new Form I-765 with the same category code as the original EAD. Include identity documents (passport biographic page, I-94, most recent I-20) and a signed written explanation of when and how the card was lost or damaged. A filing fee applies — check the current USCIS fee schedule on the Form I-765 webpage before preparing the payment. Processing times for replacement EADs are typically 3 to 6 months, comparable to an initial OPT application. If the card was lost while travelling abroad, you may need to apply for a transportation letter (carrier document) from the nearest US consulate to re-enter the US while the replacement is pending.

Stolen — police report

Obtain a police report documenting the theft before filing the I-765 replacement packet. File the police report in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred — this could be a local police department, campus security, or airport police if the card was stolen during travel. Include the police report case number and a copy of the report with the replacement packet. A filing fee applies. Filing without the police report may result in an RFE, delaying the replacement by 2 to 3 additional months. If the card was stolen along with other identity documents (passport, other cards), report all stolen documents to both the police and the relevant issuing authorities.

USCIS production error

If the issued card contains an error that is USCIS’s fault — wrong legal name, wrong date of birth, wrong category, wrong dates of validity — the replacement fee is waived. You must return the original error card with the replacement request. Compare every field on the issued card against your I-20, DS-160, and Form I-765 receipt notice before concluding that the error is USCIS’s. If the error originated in your application (e.g., you entered the wrong date on the I-765), it is not a USCIS error — you must file a paid replacement. Include a cover letter that identifies each error on the card, shows the correct information from your supporting documents, and confirms that the error is not in your original application. Do not file as a lost card if the problem is an error on the face of the issued card; that changes the fee and evidence path.

Document checklist

• Copy of the old EAD if available — front and back. Even a photocopy or photo of the card helps establish the original authorisation period and category code. Keep a digital scan of your EAD card in a secure location for this reason.
• Police report for a stolen card — include the case number, the issuing agency, and the date reported. A police report serves as independent third-party evidence of the theft and reduces the risk of an RFE.
• Original error card to return for USCIS-error replacement — USCIS requires the original physical card. Do not destroy or discard it. Include a cover letter listing each error and the correct information.
• Form I-765 with correct category code — (c)(3)(B) for post-completion OPT, (c)(3)(C) for STEM OPT. An incorrect category code may result in a rejection or processing delays.
• Identity documents — passport biographic page, I-94 arrival record, and most recent I-20. Ensure the name on all documents matches exactly. A discrepancy between the name on the passport and the I-20 can trigger an RFE.
• Written explanation — a signed letter describing the loss, theft, damage, or error, including the date and circumstances. Be specific: “Card lost between January 10 and January 12, 2026, last seen in a wallet at X location” is more useful than “Card was lost.”
• Notice to employer — if the employment gap may be relevant to an I-9 audit, notify the employer in writing of the replacement filing and provide the I-765 receipt notice as evidence that the replacement is pending.

For every document, check legal name spelling, SEVIS ID where relevant, and date range against the underlying OPT authorization record. A single inconsistency — even a typo in the legal name — can trigger an RFE that delays the replacement by months.

Timeline

• Same day the card is lost, stolen, or damaged — scan and preserve any evidence you have (old copy, photos). Retrace your steps, check with lost-and-found services, and notify your DSO of the situation. The earlier you document the loss, the stronger your replacement application.
• Theft — file a police report before filing with USCIS. The police report should be filed in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred. Keep a copy for your records and include it with the I-765 packet.
• USCIS error — compare the issued card to your I-20, DS-160, and I-765 receipt notice before filing to confirm the error is on the card, not in your original application. Do this within 48 hours of receiving the card so you can act within the 30-day window for fee-free replacement.
• While waiting — do not work if the employer requires the physical EAD for I-9 reverification. Confirm current I-9 requirements with the employer’s counsel or HR department. If the employer accepts alternative documents (unexpired foreign passport with I-94 showing F-1 status), obtain that confirmation in writing.
• Uncorrected USCIS error — address within 30 days of card receipt to avoid complications at I-9 or port of entry. After 30 days, USCIS may require a paid replacement even if the error was on their side.
• Replacement processing — USCIS typically takes 3 to 6 months to process an EAD replacement application. If the replacement is urgent (e.g., you need the card for international travel), request an expedite after the I-765 receipt notice arrives. Expedite grounds include severe financial loss to the employer and humanitarian reasons.

Worked examples

USCIS error misidentified as lost card

A card arrives with the wrong birth date — one digit transposed from the I-20 record. The student files as a lost card because the card is in their possession. The correct path is a USCIS-error replacement: return the error card, file without fee, and include documentation that the error is on the issued card, not in the original application. Filing as lost triggers an unnecessary fee and a different evidence path, potentially delaying the correct replacement by the time needed to process the incorrect filing and re-file.

Stolen wallet with EAD and passport

A student’s wallet is stolen while commuting, containing their EAD card and passport. They file a police report with the transit police the same day. They then file Form I-765 for an EAD replacement with the police report attached, and separately apply for a new passport at their home country’s consulate. The employer accepts a copy of the previous EAD (from a digital scan) along with the I-765 receipt notice as evidence of ongoing work authorisation during the replacement period. The replacement EAD arrives 4 months later. Documenting the theft immediately and keeping a digital copy of the EAD were the key steps that minimised the employment disruption.

I-9 compliance while waiting for the replacement EAD

After losing an EAD card, the employer may accept alternative I-9 documents depending on the situation. The Form I-9 requires employees to present documents from List A (establishing both identity and employment authorization), List B (identity), or List C (employment authorization) within three business days of starting work. If you already presented the original EAD for I-9 purposes, the loss of the physical card does not automatically terminate your employment — the employer has already verified your authorization. However, if the employer conducts a reverification or you change jobs, you need acceptable documents. A valid unexpired foreign passport with Form I-94 showing F-1 status can serve as a List A document for I-9 purposes when combined with evidence of OPT authorization. Some employers may require the physical EAD card for their internal compliance processes — discuss alternatives with HR before the situation becomes urgent.

Filing tips to avoid delays

When filing for a replacement EAD, several practical steps can reduce processing delays. First, double-check the category code on Form I-765 — it must match the underlying OPT authorization reason. For OPT replacement, use the same code as the original application: (c)(3)(B) for post-completion OPT, (c)(3)(C) for STEM OPT. Second, include a clear, dated cover letter that explains why the replacement is needed (lost, stolen, damaged, or USCIS error) and lists all enclosed documents. Third, if the card was stolen, attach the police report — filing without it may result in an RFE requesting additional evidence, which delays processing by 2 to 3 months. Fourth, use the correct filing address for EAD replacements — the USCIS lockbox address depends on the category code and the state where you live. Check the current Form I-765 instructions for the correct lockbox before mailing. Track the delivery using certified mail or a private courier service.

What to do next

• For the full OPT filing packet, read OPT document checklist.
• For I-765 filing mistakes that trigger a replacement, read Form I-765 OPT application: the eight common mistakes that get it denied.
• For travel with a pending replacement, read OPT travel and re-entry rules.

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. A licensed attorney or regulated adviser should review your documents before you rely on a strategy or deadline.