The loss of a single document by the US Postal Service can place an OPT worker’s career at serious risk. This concern is growing among international students after an F-1 visa holder shared how a missing EAD card created major employment uncertainty.
The STEM worker explained that USCIS had approved and dispatched the EAD card. However, the shipment was reportedly lost by USPS during transit. After repeated follow-ups for nearly two weeks, it was indicated that the package may have been misdelivered due to a scanning issue.
Without receiving the card, the worker applied for a replacement EAD and obtained an I-797C receipt notice from USCIS. Despite this step, the situation did not improve, as the lack of a physical document continued to create complications.
The worker stated that a new employer refused to proceed without verifying the original EAD card. Even after referring to the receipt rule, which allows temporary use of replacement receipts, the employer did not accept the explanation.
The case highlights how a valid work authorisation can still lead to job risk due to logistical errors. For many STEM OPT workers, strict timelines and compliance rules mean even a small delay can create serious uncertainty.
