USCIS will have very limited contact with you.  Though you can check your application status through the USCIS Case system, there will be little updated there.  The following are notifications you can expect from USCIS after submitting your application:

• First week: If you submitted the G-1145, you will receive an email or text confirming delivery of your package. This should include your Receipt Number. You can use this number to check the status of your application.
• Within 40 days: You will receive an I-797c Receipt Notice. Check this form and make sure name, address, and application type is correct.  If there are any errors contact USCIS.  This document is official proof of your application so keep it safe.
• 90-120 days: You should receive your I-797 Approval notice followed by your EAD card typically a week later. Check your EAD card for errors and contact USCIS if you see any.  Remember you cannot start working until your Start Date on your EAD card.
• 2 weeks later: If you requested a Social Security Number you will receive it.

After you complete your degree you cannot work on or off campus until you receive your card and you reach your start date.  Even unpaid work is not allowed.  Work that is typically paid labor is still considered employment and requires an EAD.

There are three key periods:

Applied for OPT but before program end date: You can travel like normal.  Having a OPT application does not affect your travel, but you must be back in the country before your program end date.

Completed program but have not applied for OPT: You CANNOT travel until you have applied and received your form I-797c.

Applied for OPT after completion date: You can travel with a pending OPT application but it is not recommended, as there are many risks involved:

• You will be unable to reenter the US until you have your EAD card.
• Someone will need to have access to your mail to ensure you do not miss any correspondence from USCIS.
• If you fail to respond to a Request for Evidence your application will be denied.
• If your OPT application is denied you will be unable to enter on your current SEVIS record.
• If your F1 visa expires, you will be unable to get an interview until you have received your EAD card.

It could take up to 3 months or more to replace the EAD card.

Replacement EAD Card

If the case status on USCIS is showing that your EAD card was mailed, but you never received it, there is a possibility that it was undeliverable or lost by USPS (U.S. Postal Service). Follow these directions from USCIS on how to check your case status online.

Replacement EAD lost in the mail:

If your case status shows that your EAD card was mailed but you never received it, follow these steps:

Obtain the tracking number for your EAD card. Call USCIS to obtain the tracking number for your EAD Card. If you have registered for an account with USCIS.gov, the tracking information should show in your account if the card has been mailed.

Check the tracking number. If it shows “delivered,” contact USPS to see if they are able to locate the mail for you.  If USPS is responsible for the lost card, you will need to obtain an official letter on letterhead from USPS stating this. If approved, USCIS will then issue a new replacement EAD at no additional cost.

If USPS is not able to locate the missing mail (EAD Card), fill out the USCIS Non-Delivery of Card online form. You will need the receipt number.

If your case status shows “undeliverable”:

It means that USPS may have returned the EAD to USCIS.

Follow the instructions in the online USCIS case status to request that USCIS resend the card to you. Be sure that your address on file with USCIS is correct. If your address must be updated, do so as soon as possible through your online account.

If USPS determines they are not responsible for the loss of the EAD:

You will have to file for a replacement of lost EAD card and pay the USCIS I-765 filing fee again. See instructions below.

Replacement, lost, stolen or damaged EAD card

Students who need a replacement EAD Card (e.g., the original EAD Card was lost, stolen, destroyed, or it included an error by the applicant) will need to file original OPT paperwork and repay the USCIS I-765 fee to the Service Center.

You will need the following:

• New form I-765 e-filed indicating reason for filing as: 1.b. – Replacement of lost, stolen or damaged employment authorization document. Remember: On the I-765 form, you must indicate you have previously applied for OPT or STEM and indicate your previous receipt numbers. (You previously applied and your card was lost, stolen, or damaged!)
• Letter (from you) explaining the circumstances of how your EAD Card was lost, stolen, never received, or damaged. Attach any supporting evidence you have. For a stolen EAD Card, you should attach a police report. If you never received the EAD card at all, be sure to clearly state that in the letter.
• Copy of OPT I-20 that was previously issued by ISS for your original OPT/STEM OPT application. It does not have to be issued within the past 30/60 days.
• 2 U.S. Passport Photos (with name and I-94 number written lightly in pencil on back of each), taken within the past 30 days.
• USCIS Fee. See the USCIS I-765 page for current filing fee.
• Copy of passport biographical page and F-1 visa stamp, if applicable.
• Copy of most recent I-94.
• Copy of your previous OPT/STEM I-797 receipt notice and copy of original EAD Card, if applicable.

Your job must be a minimum of 20 hours per week and in the field of your major.

• You must ensure that your job is closely related to your degree program
• Your job can be paid or unpaid
• Students can work for multiple employers at one time. All jobs must be related to the student’s field of study
• You can work at a client location
• Students can start their own business in a field closely related to their degree program. Students must be able to prove that they work at least 20 hours per week and that they have the appropriate licenses to establish a new business.

Students should be looking for employment during the OPT authorization process. This will give you plenty of time to search and apply for employment.

Students are allowed 90 days of unemployment during their 12 month OPT period. Students who exceed the 90 day unemployment rule are in violation of their F1 status.

You can start working either paid or unpaid after your start date. Any work before that date is considered employment. You cannot start working unless you have received your EAD card.

No. You need to have an EAD card to start working. It is recommended that you work closely with your employer to negotiate a new employment start date. Do not worry, you aren’t losing out on time in your 12 month OPT period. When you receive your EAD card, you will receive a new start and end date. You will still be eligible to work for 12 months.

You cannot exceed 90 days of unemployment. There are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of exceeding the unemployment limit:

• Ensure that you are working over 20 hours per week. Anything below that is included in your unemployment limit.
• Apply for work as a volunteer at a non-profit organization. You will still need to work 20 hours per week, and in the same field as your degree program.

• Employment
• Unemployment (Termination, Quitting)
• Address changes- either physical home or employment address
• Name Change: you must report this to our office at sauinternational@saumag.edu
• Permanently leaving the US – you must report this to our office at sauinternational@saumag.edu 
• Change of status: you must report this to our office at sauinternational@saumag.edu

Students can transfer while on OPT (before their end date), but once the student’s record has been transferred the OPT is invalid and can no longer be used.  The time left on the EAD card is lost forever.

It is advised to transfer after student’s end date so not to lose the authorized employment period.  If a student finds a program they wish to attend and the program start date is before the end of the student’s OPT then it is recommended to not transfer the SEVIS record until the day before the start of the new program.  This would allow the student to continue working even though the student has been accepted to another program.  It is best to speak with the DSO at the student’s future school to determine the best course of action for the student because every school has different transfer requirements.

If eligible students are going to apply for a STEM Extension the application has to be done BEFORE their current OPT end date.  See the STEM Extension section for more information.