How to Replace a Lost or Stolen EAD Card with USCIS: Do you have a lost/stolen EAD card, or you received an incorrect EAD card from USCIS? This article will explain how you can go about obtaining a replacement employment authorization document or the EAD card from USCIS if it was lost, stolen, damaged or contains incorrect information.
Make sure read this article to the end because you will get answers to seven frequently asked questions about replacing your employment authorization document card.
What is Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and its functions?
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card allows foreign nationals in the US to work temporarily and is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
The employment authorization document, also called the U.S Work Permit, are given to certain foreign nationals who can work in the U.S only after receiving permission from USCIS.
The EAD card is also given to certain nonimmigrants in the U.S who have a pending Adjustment of Status application with USCIS.
What should I do if I lost my EAD card?
On some occasions, you might need to obtain a replacement EAD card from USCIS, and this could be the case if you find errors on your EAD card or your EAD card is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
In the event that you receive an EAD card from USCIS that contains incorrect information, or you find out that your EAD card is either lost, stolen or destroyed, you will need to obtain a replacement EAD card from USCIS.
BEST Tips to Replace a Lost EAD Card or Incorrect EAD Card with USCIS
Generally, you can go about replacing your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card with USCIS under the following scenarios:
- Replacing an EAD Card Due to a USCIS Error
The first scenario is the case where you find an error on your EAD card and this error is the fault of USCIS. In this case, you won’t have to complete the new I-765 application and as a result, you don’t have to pay any additional application fees.
You would have to return the original EAD card containing the error and also present a letter explaining what the error is and provide supporting documents as to how the error could be corrected.
For example, let’s say you find out that your first name on your EAD card was spelled incorrectly, and in your letter you’ll like to point out that your EAD card contains a misspelled first name and also provide the biographical page of your international passport showing the correct spelling of your first name.
In this scenario where the arrow is caused by USCIS, you would have to send all these documents to the USCIS Service Center that approved your last EAD application.
- Replacing an EAD Card Due to the Applicant’s Error
The second scenario is the case where the arrow found on your EAD card is caused by your mistake and it’s not the fault of USCIS. In this scenario, you’ll be required to complete a new I-765 application and you have to pay the appropriate filing fee. Similar to how you went about completing the I-765 in your previous application, you would also have to provide supporting documents for the I-765 application.
These supporting documents will include two card passport photographs, a copy of the biographical page of your international passport, copy of your I-94 records, a copy of any previously issued employment authorization document cards, and other supporting documents.
In this application, you would also have to include the original EAD card containing the error that was caused by your mistake.
- Replacing a Lost/Stolen/Damaged EAD card
The last and final scenario is the case where your EAD card is either lost, stolen, or damaged. In this situation, you would have to complete a new I-765 application and also pay the required filing fees. You would also be required to provide supporting documents just like you did when completing the new I-765 application.
EAD Replacement FAQs
Let talk about some frequently asked questions that you might have when you find out that your EAD card is either lost, stolen or destroyed.
- Do I need to inform my employer?
The first question is whether you should inform your employer that your EAD card has been lost or stolen. This is not necessary as you would have already gone through the I-9 verification process where your employer would have seen your EAD card and kept a record of your EAD card.
However, if your employer asks you to provide a proof of employment in the future, then you might have to let your employer know that your EAD card was stolen and you’re in the process of getting the replacement.
- What can I do if I have to begin or start a new job and my EAD card has been lost or stolen?
In this case, because you have to go through a new I-9 verification process with a new employer, you would have to wait until your EAD card application has been approved and you’ve received your EAD card.
- What do I do if I have to travel outside of the U.S and my EAD card has been lost or stolen?
In this case, it’s best to wait until you’ve received your EAD card before you consider traveling outside of the U.S. This is because depending on your nonimmigrant status, you might be required to be in possession of an EAD card whenever you try to re-enter the U.S.
- How long does it take to get a replacement EAD card from USCIS?
Generally, if you’re applying for a replacement EAD card by completing the new I-765 application, then the wait time is exactly the same like someone who’s applying for the EAD card for the first time, and as you might have already experienced during your first EAD card application, the processing of your EAD application could take as long as six months.
- Is there a way to expedite the processing of my replacement EAD card?
In certain circumstances, you might be able to speed up the processing of your EAD application with USCIS.
- Is there a fee for the replacement of the EAD card?
The answer is simply yes. The only exception is when you find an error on your EAD card and this error was caused by USCIS.
- What supporting documents do I need to provide when filing an application for a replacement EAD card?
Your supporting documents are going to be exactly the same as the supporting documents you provided when you were filing your initial EAD card application. For example, if you’re an F1 visa student you would have to provide supporting documents that show proof of your eligibility to work in the U.S.
This will usually be assigned from I-20 and endorsed for OPT.
I hope you found this article about How to Replace a Lost or Stolen EAD Card with USCIS informative. Thank you for reading.