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EAD Card

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The EAD card is an employment document issued by USCIS. This document is proof that F-1 students engaged in OPT or STEM OPT are allowed to work.

The walk-through will explain how to read your EAD card and answer common questions.

Learn More about how to read your EAD!

    Also called “family name” or “last name”

      This should match the “Surname / Primary Name” from your I-20.

        We are required to use the name standardization of the machine readable line of your passport when creating an I-20 in the SEVIS immigration system. You should enter your name as it appears here for all official and U.S. government processes (SEVIS fee payment, visa application, driver’s license application, Social Security, U.S. bank accounts etc)

          If you have questions about the way your name appears or have changed your name on your passport, please contact our office.

            Also called “first name”

              This should match the “Given Name” from your I-20.

                We are required to use the name standardization of the machine readable line of your passport when creating an I-20 in the SEVIS immigration system. You should enter your name as it appears here for all official and U.S. government processes (SEVIS fee payment, visa application, driver’s license application, Social Security, U.S. bank accounts etc)

                  If you have questions about the way your name appears or have changed your name on your passport, please contact our office.

                  This is a nine digit number. The format is XXX-XXX-XXX.

                    For OPT EAD cards, this should read C03B

                      For STEM OPT EAD cards this should read C03C

                      This should be the same as your USCIS Receipt Number. The format is YSCXXXXXXXXXX.

                      This should be the country of birth (per your passport).

                        For OPT EAD cards, this should read Stu: Post-Completion Opt

                          For STEM OPT EAD cards this should read Stu: Stem Opt Only

                          This should match the date of birth on your passport. The standard date format in the U.S. is MM/DD/YYYY.

                          This should match your sex, based on your passport.

                          This is the date that your EAD card is valid for employment.

                          This is the date that your EAD card expires.

                          All OPT and STEM OPT EAD card will say “Not valid for reentry to the U.S.” This does not mean that you cannot enter the U.S. while engaged in OPT or STEM OPT.

                          This will either show your signature or will read “Signature Waived”

                            Fingerprints are not required for OPT and STEM OPT EAD Cards.