If you are authorized for Post-OPT, there are no employer or location restrictions; however, please choose a job that will have you work in the U.S., not in another country. The job duties, not the job title or employer, must be related to your course of study.
The only way to receive a new EAD is by submitting a new I-765 and supporting documents (i.e., I-765, fee, letter of explanation, and I-20). It is impossible to replace an EAD card if you are outside the U.S.
If you need a replacement EAD card, you must submit the following to the Lockbox based on your current address:
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A new Form I-765
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The Form I-765 filing fee
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A letter explaining your request
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Copy of an updated I-20 showing OPT as approved
If you did not receive your EAD card that USCIS mailed, you can also submit an inquiry on the non-delivery of a card.
The ISSC highly suggests that you start working prior to returning your EAD card for correction so you are not unemployed while your card is being corrected. It could take up to 90 days to receive your corrected EAD card.
This simply means that you must carry other documents to show proof of your eligibility to re-enter the U.S. such as your I-20, passport and valid F-1 visa stamp. The EAD alone is not enough to re-enter the U.S.
No. Do not enter the U.S. on any visa other than F-1 or you will lose your F-1 status and your Post-OPT will be invalidated.
The primary purpose of Post-OPT/STEM is working. Taking classes can be done as an incidental part of your stay. Students are allowed to enroll in non-degree seeking classes. A full-time or degree-seeking program of study while on OPT/STEM is not allowed.
If you decide to go back to school full-time, you will need to request a for SEVIS transfer out from the ISSC to transfer your SEVIS Record and I-20 to the new school.
If you will start a new degree program at ASU, you need to request a new degree I-20 from the ISSC before the new degree program start date or before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT/STEM expiration date, whichever is earlier.
If you decide to transfer your record to another institution or pursue a new degree program, your Post-OPT/STEM will be invalidated once you receive the new degree I-20.
No, there are no extensions of Post-OPT unless you are STEM eligible. After your OPT ends you have a 60-day grace period to either change your visa status, transfer to another school, pursue a new degree program at ASU, or return home. You are not authorized to work during the grace period (unless you have a pending STEM OPT extension application).
Yes. However, if you decide to pursue a new degree program, your Post-OPT/STEM will be invalidated once you receive the new degree I-20. If you will start a new degree program at ASU, you need to request a new degree I-20 from the ISSC before the new degree program start date or before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT expiration date, whichever is earlier.
If you will start a new degree program at another institution, you have to request for SEVIS transfer out from the ISSC. This must be done before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT expiration date.
You have a 60-day grace period after your Post-OPT/STEM ends to either change your visa status, transfer to another school, pursue a new degree program at ASU, or return home. You are not authorized to work during this time (unless you have a pending STEM OPT extension application).
Yes, must update your Local Address via My ASU within 10 days of any changes. You must also submit an address change via USCIS’s website within 10 days of moving.
The United States Postal Service (USPS/ “the post office”) will not forward EAD cards. If you are moving, you must update your address within 10 days by:
If your EAD contains incorrect information that is not due to a USCIS error, you must submit:
- A new Form I-765,
- The filing fee, if required (or a request for a fee waiver),
- Any documents specified in the form instructions, and
- The card containing the error.
If your EAD contains incorrect information because of a USCIS error, USCIS will make the appropriate correction at no additional cost to you. In these cases, you do not need to submit a new Form I-765 or a filing fee. Instead, you must submit:
- The original card containing the error,
- A detailed explanation of the card error, and
- Supporting documentation on the correct information.
Submit this information to the service center or National Benefit Center that approved your latest Form I-765.
In either case, if they receive your application or request for a replacement EAD and you no longer have any basis for applying for an EAD or employment authorization, they will not return the card and will notify you that you do not have a current basis for applying for an EAD or employment authorization.
If your password is entered incorrectly 3 consecutive times or if you have not logged into your SEVP Portal account for 45 days or more, the account will be locked automatically. You should receive an email from SEVP containing the subject line: Your account has been locked for too many SEVIS ID validation failures. Please follow the instructions on that email.
If you did not receive this email, try to reset your password by the following steps:
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Click on “Reset password,” then enter your ASU Public Email address (as listed on your My ASU Profile) and your SEVIS ID (It starts with N00 and can is listed on your Form I-20) and click on “Update Password.”
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Next, check your ASU email to see if you have received a temporary password and a link from the SEVP Portal. If not, check your Spam folder.
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After following the link, enter the temporary password as the “current password,” and set a new password.
If resetting your password does not work, submit the SEVP Portal Issues eForm found in the MyISSC eForm portal under F-1 Practical Training.
No. You must submit the POST-OPT/STEM application to the appropriate lockbox designated by USCIS. Please check USCIS’s I-765 lockbox addresses https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 by scrolling down to Where to file. To avoid this issue, the ISSC highly recommends all students utilize myUSCIS to file their application online.
Yes, they will, however, you will NOT provide USCIS with copies of their I-20s for your Post-OPT/STEM application. Only provide USCIS with your I-20.
Yes. . If you applied online, simply log into myUSCIS to check the status of your application. If you submitted a paper application, you must wait to receive a text/email or USCIS I-797A Notice of Action (i.e., receipt notice with receipt number), visit USCIS Case Status Online and enter your receipt number (YSC########). You can also call USCIS. Their phone number is 1-800-375-5283. Be sure to have your receipt number ready before you call. You can also set up an account with them. (When their phone prompts, your receipt number letters YSC = 972).
The ISSC takes up to 10 days to process Post-OPT/STEM request. Our processing times can vary due to case load; therefore, cases cannot be expedited and will only be processed on a first come, first served basis, respectively. USCIS has an average processing time of 90 days; however, please visit USCIS’s Processing Times website for their most up-to-date processing times. If you are interested in expedited processing from USCIS, please visit their Premium Processing webpage for details.