Apply for a Replacement EAD Card

EAD REPLACEMENTS & CORRECTIONS

In the event your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is lost, stolen, destroyed, or includes an error, a replacement of the card should be requested with USCIS to prevent problems in the future. Filing procedures and documents vary depending on your case. Please see below for further details.

Once the corrected EAD or replacement EAD is received, please notify ISSS by forwarding front and back copies of the EAD to [email protected].

Replacement EAD Instructions

Replacement for Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed EAD Card

If your EAD was lost, stolen, or destroyed, a new Form I-765 (ISSS Post-Completion OPT Guide/ISSS STEM OPT Extension Guide) will need to be filed, including payment of the filing fee along with all required documents. You may file for the replacement EAD online using your USCIS Account.

Please refer to the USCIS webpage, under Replace an EAD, for more information.

EAD Card Replacement due to Applicant Error

If your EAD was issued with an error not attributed to USCIS, a new Form I-765 (ISSS Post-Completion OPT Guide/ISSS STEM OPT Extension Guide) will need to be filed, including payment of the filing fee along with all required documents. You may file for the replacement EAD online using your USCIS Account.

Please refer to the USCIS webpage, under Replace an EAD, for more information. Please note you will need to mail the incorrect EAD to USCIS to the address indicated on their webpage. We recommend that you use an express trackable mailing service and that you make a copy of the EAD front and back before mailing it.

We also recommend that you plan the mailing of your EAD card back to USCIS carefully, ensuring that you will not need your EAD for at least 6 weeks (for example, you do not have any international travel planned, you are not going through the job search process, etc.). USCIS aims to process EAD correction requests within 30 days of receiving the incorrect EAD in the mail, but this is not a guaranteed processing time.

EAD Correction Due to USCIS Error

If your EAD was issued with an error due to USCIS’ error, you do not need to file a new Form I-765 or filing fee. However, a request must be made to USCIS to address the error.

STEP 1: Complete the Typographic Error Correction Request Online

You will need the following documents:

  • Receipt Number

  • A-Number (if applicable)

  • Item that contains the error

  • Date when filed

  • Email Address

STEP 2: Receive Information from USCIS for Next Steps

If you do not hear from USCIS, please contact ISSS at [email protected].

STEP 3: Gather Supplemental Documents & Follow USCIS' Instructions

We recommend that you include an explanatory letter when mailing your EAD back to USCIS.

In your letter include:

  • Full name

  • SEVIS ID

  • Date of birth the

  • Explanation of the error in detail

  • USCIS Receipt Number

  • Statement requesting the new EAD to be mailed to you

  • The address you would like to receive the EAD

  • Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

  • Signature (in ink)

Please note you will need to mail the incorrect EAD to USCIS to the address indicated in their instructions. We recommend that you use an express trackable mailing service and that you make a copy of the EAD front and back before mailing it.

We also recommend that you plan the mailing of your EAD card back to USCIS carefully, ensuring that you will not need your EAD for at least 6 weeks (for example, you do not have any international travel planned, you are not going through the job search process, etc.). USCIS aims to process EAD correction requests within 30 days of receiving the incorrect EAD in the mail, but this is not a guaranteed processing time.

Replacement EAD Card Checklist

  • Please review ISSS Travel Information webpage before making any arrangements to depart the country.

  • If you need the replacement EAD card to start working, you can use the receipt notice for the reapplication of the EAD to begin working. This is outlined in the M-274 Handbook for Employers.

  • If you receive any requests for evidence (RFEs) for this application, please contact ISSS at [email protected] for further assistance.

  • Use an express trackable mailing service and make a copy of the EAD front and back before mailing it.

  • Plan the mailing of your EAD card back to USCIS carefully, ensuring that you will not need your EAD for at least 6 weeks (for example, you do not have any international travel planned, you are not going through the job search process, etc.). USCIS aims to process EAD correction requests within 30 days of receiving the incorrect EAD in the mail, but this is not a guaranteed processing time.