While Your Application is Pending

OPT Receipt Notice

Immediately after submitting your online I-765 application, you should see confirmation on the screen that your I-765 was successfully submitted.

Click on Go to my cases and navigate to the Documents tab to download your Receipt Notice and a PDF of your completed I-765 form.
Upload your OPT Receipt Notice to your ISSS Portal by submitting an OPT Receipt Notice Upload (found in your Control Center).
Within two weeks of submitting online, you should also receive a paper Receipt Notice (Form I-797) in the mail.

OPT Request for Evidence (RFE)

If you receive an RFE from USCIS, please submit an OPT Request for Evidence (RFE) Upload in the ISSS Portal. It is likely you will receive one related to new photo/biometrics requirements.

Driver's License Renewal While OPT Pending

You cannot renew your Illinois driver's license until you receive your OPT EAD card. However, you can apply at the Bloomington DMV for a 90-day Temporary Driver's License while your OPT is pending. Along with other documents, you must bring your I-765 Receipt Notice as proof that you have applied for OPT. This information may be subject to change, so please contact the Bloomington DMV at 309-827-3531 prior to making an appointment to confirm the procedure and documentation needed.

The Temporary Driver's License is issued on site at the DMV and will not contain your photo. The temporary license only permits you to drive and is not an official form of ID, so you should also carry your passport.

If you live outside of the Bloomington-Normal area, you should contact your local DMV for further details.

USCIS Processing Time

USCIS, not ISSS, is reponsible for processing your I-765 application for OPT. Therefore, ISSS has no influence or control over USCIS processing times.

OPT processing times can vary. There is no guarantee USCIS will process your application within a specific time frame.
You can check your case status by logging in to your USCIS Account and navigating to the Case Status tab of your I-765 application. ISSS recommends you set your account notifications to receive both text messages and emails and log in to your account on a weekly basis to check for updates or action items.
While your I-765 application is pending with USCIS, you are permitted to stay in the U.S. awaiting adjudication of your case.
If your application is adjudicated on or before the OPT start date you requested, then your EAD card should reflect your chosen date. However, if your case is adjudicated after the OPT start date you requested, then your EAD card start date should be the same as the date your case was adjudicated by USCIS.
If your application has been pending more than 90 days, you can go to the USCIS Case Processing Times webpage, select the corresponding items from the dropdowns provided, and then enter your receipt date (found on your Receipt Notice) into the text box.The site will provide an estimated date for when you can ask about your case. You should check back periodically because processing times can change.
- If the site indicates you have reached the date when you can ask about your case, then you can submit a case inquiry for Outside Normal Processing Time online or call the USCIS Customer Service number listed on your Receipt Notice and ask that they open a service request.

Premium Processing

Premium processing (Form I-907) provides expedited processing for certain USCIS forms for an additional fee. If properly filed, premium processing gurantees USCIS will take adudicative action on your I-765 within 30 calendar days. This means that within 30 calendar days USCIS will take one of the following actions on your case:

issue an approval notice
issue a denial notice
issue a notice of intent to deny
issue a request for evidence
open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation

IMPORTANT: Premium processing does not guarantee your EAD card will be produced and arrive within the 30-day deadline.

The 30-calendar-day premium processing timeframe does not include the time it takes to produce your EAD.
After USCIS approves your Form I-765, your EAD should be produced within one to two weeks.
When your card arrives will vary depending on USPS delivery times.

Address Changes

While your OPT application is pending, you must report any changes in address to both ISSS and USCIS within ten days of moving to the new address. It is also important to update ISSS, USCIS, and USPS with any changes of address to ensure the proper delivery of your EAD card.

Update ISSS by updating your contact information in your MyIllinoisState account (pre-graduation) or by submitting a Post-Completion Student Help Ticket (post-graduation while your OPT is still pending). Please include your new address in the ticket.
Update USCIS by updating your address in your USCIS online account.
Update the United States Postal Service (USPS).
- Complete an Official USPS Change of Address form online.
- Sign up for Informed Delivery.

EAD Card

If you created a USCIS account and signed up for case status updates, you should automatically be notified via email when your application has been approved and your EAD card has been sent to production and shipped.
Your USCIS Account should provide the USPS tracking number for the envelope containing your EAD card. Generally, your card will arrive within 10 days from being shipped.
Once received, you should upload your EAD card to your ISSS Portal by submitting an OPT EAD Card Upload (found in your Control Center).
You may only begin working after you have received your EAD card and the start date on the card has been reached.
On or after your OPT EAD card start date, you will receive an email from do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov with a link to set up your SEVP Portal account. Please review our Reporting Requirements page for full details on how you should utilize the SEVP Portal to report information to ISSS.

EAD Card Errors

After you receive your EAD card, you should look it over and make sure everything is correct. If you find any errors on the card, the process of correcting them depends upon the cause of the error:

If the error was caused by USCIS, then the Notice of Action you received with your EAD card should have instructions on how to fix the error. You can also fill out the USCIS online typographical error form.
- ISSS highly recommends you show the card to your employer's Human Resources office for I-9 purposes and take a picture/copy of the front and back of the card before mailing the card back to USCIS.
If the error was caused by you (the applicant), then you must file for a replacement EAD card (see instructions below).

EAD Card Not Received

Possible reasons for non-delivery

The address on your original I-765 was incorrect. For example, if you live in an apartment and you did not include the apartment number on the I-765, then the envelope may not be delivered.
You requested USPS to forward your mail to a new address and did not update your new address with USCIS. EAD cards are mailed by USPS as "Return Service Requested". This means they will not be forwarded to a new address.
You updated your address with USCIS but did not change your address with USPS. EAD cards are mailed by USPS as "Return Service Requested". This means they will only be delivered if the individual named on the envelope is officially associated with the address on the envelope.

What to do if you have not received your EAD card

Step 1: Confirm USCIS mailed your EAD card

Check the status of your case in your My USCIS account.
If your case status says the card was mailed that means USCIS has shipped your card.
- Take note of the USPS tracking number and proceed to Step 2.
If your case status says the card was undeliverable that means USPS has returned the card to USCIS.
- Follow the instructions on the case status page to request that USCIS resend the card to you.

Step 2: Track the package containing your EAD card

Check the status of your package using USPS Tracking
- Delivered : This means USPS believes your card was delivered (proceed to Step 3)
- Missing or Lost: This means USPS believes they lost your package or cannot locate it (proceed to Step 4)
- Undeliverable : This means USPS likely returned your EAD card to USCIS (proceed to Step 5)

Step 3: USPS Tracking says “Delivered” but you did not receive the card

Make sure the mailing address in your My USCIS account is correct.
You may wish to check with roommates or neighbors to see if they received your mail by mistake.
If you live in an apartment complex or other multi-unit building, you may wish to check with the front desk/landlord to see if anyone has turned in your mail.
If you still can't find your card, proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: Contact USPS to try to locate your mail

Request a USPS Missing Mail Search Requestor contact your local Post Office.
- If it is determined that USPS lost your card, request a letter/email from the post office stating that USPS is responsible for the lost card. Make sure that the letter/email includes the contact information of the person who wrote it.
  - Once you have the letter/email, provide ISSS with a copy by submitting a Request Inquiry in your ISSS Portal.
  - ISSS will email the USCIS service center to alert them of this issue and request a replacement card be issued.
  - If approved, USCIS will then issue a new replacement EAD card at no additional cost.
- If USPS determines the card was undeliverable, proceed to Step 5.
- If USPS determines the card was delivered, but you still cannot locate the card, proceed to Step 5.

Step 5: Undeliverable shipment or EAD card still not located

If USPS determined your card was undeliverable or you followed all the above steps and still cannot locate your card, submit a case inquiry online through USCIS for Non-Delivery of Cardto see if your card was returned to USCIS.
- Follow up with USCIS in a few days by calling the USCIS Customer Service number listed on your Receipt Notice to check the status of your inquiry request.
- If the card was returned, USCIS will reissue the card. Please allow 21 days for the card to be returned and an additional 30 for it to be reissued and delivered.
  - You CANNOT WORK during this time.
- If the card was not returned to USCIS, you will need to file for a replacement EAD card (see instructions below).

EAD Card Replacement

If you lose your EAD card or if it never got to you in the mail and couldn't be located using the steps above, you can file for a replacement EAD card by following the steps below.

Request a new I-20 from ISSS that shows your OPT has been APPROVED.
- You can do so by submitting a Request Inquiry in your ISSS Portal.
- Indicate in the Request Inquiry that you are filing for a replacement EAD card.
- If your I-20 already states that your OPT has been approved, you can skip this step.
File a new I-765 with USCIS and pay the application fee again.
- Select "Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document” as your reason for filing.
- Answer "Yes" to the question about whether you have filed an I-765 before.
- In addition to the required documents in the I-765 application, you need to upload the following:
  - I-797 Approval Notice from your original I-765 application for OPT
  - I-20 showing your OPT in APPROVED status on page 2
  - Copy of EAD card (if you have it)
  - Barcode sheet that came with your original EAD card (if you have it)
  - Signed and dated letter from you explaining why you are applying for a replacement card
    - Your letter should include your USCIS receipt number from your original filing.
    - If you lost your EAD card, make sure to attach related evidence such as the police report filed.
    - If you never received your EAD card, make sure to clearly state that in your letter and attach any related evidence such as responses from USPS and/or USCIS regarding your lost card.
    - If you made an error on your original application and are filing for a replacement to correct the error, make sure to clearly explain the error in your letter.
Download your Receipt Notice.
- Submit an OPT Receipt Notice Upload in your ISSS Portalto provide ISSS a copy.
- Update the I-9 on file with your employer:
  - Provide your employer's Human Resources office with the Receipt Notice and inform them you have filed for a replacement EAD card.
  - You may wish to share the following sections of the I-9 Handbook for Employers with the Human Resources office:
    - F-1 and M-1 Nonimmigrant Students
    - Completing Section 2
    - Acceptable Receipts- This section explains that a receipt for a replacement document may be used to work for up to 90 days while waiting for the replacement document.
Track the status of your application.
- You can check your case status by logging in to your USCIS Account and navigating to the Case Status tab of your I-765 application. ISSS recommends you set your account notifications to receive both text messages and emails and log in to your account on a weekly basis to check for updates or action items.
- If your application has been pending more than 90 days, you can go to the USCIS Case Processing Times webpage, select the corresponding items from the dropdowns provided, and then enter your receipt date (found on your Receipt Notice) into the text box.
  - The site will provide an estimated date for when you can ask about your case. You should check back periodically because processing times can change.
  - If the site indicates you have reached the date when you can ask about your case, then you can submit a case inquiry for Outside Normal Processing Time online or call the USCIS Customer Service number listed on your Receipt Notice and ask that they open a service request.
- If you created a USCIS account and signed up for case status updates, you should automatically be notified via email when your application has been approved and your new EAD card has been sent to production and shipped.
- Your USCIS Account should provide the USPS tracking number for the envelope containing your new EAD card. Generally, your card will arrive within 10 days from being shipped.
- Once received, you should upload your new EAD card to your ISSS Portal by submitting an OPT EAD Card Upload .