Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card Delays
There are major delays currently with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issuing employment authorization document (EAD) cards. This should not be news to anyone who has been staying on top of the EAD card delays with USCIS. Processing times are hitting the five-month marker. We understand that some of our current students who have applied for their work authorization benefit through Optional Practical Training (OPT) have been impacted by these lengthy processing times. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to expedite the process at this time. Please also note that these delays not only impact students in F-1 status but anyone else eligible to apply for a work authorization document. We do encourage you to continue checking your case status online.
Any UT Health San Antonio student who applied for their work benefit (predominately post completion OPT) and are awaiting the EAD card, please note that you are not able to work until you physically have the card in hand and the work authorization dates are current. Working without this card could jeopardize your immigration status.
For those F-1 students currently utilizing their optional practical training benefit and who have applied for the STEM extension (if eligible), may work up to 180 days beyond the end of the current EAD card while waiting for the new EAD card to be approved and issued. These students must have filed the extension prior to the OPT end date and have a USCIS issued receipt notice in hand.
For those students who are completing their program of study this Fall 2019, the OIS is strongly recommending that you apply for your work authorization benefit as soon as you are eligible to do so. The earliest date that you can submit a request to USCIS is 90 days prior to your program end date. Your program end date can change, especially in the event of completing your program early.
The OIS will hold OPT workshops for those students completing their programs this Fall. Any student wishing to apply for Optional Practical Training must attend a mandatory workshop session. Make sure to check your school email account for these upcoming workshop dates.
As always, the OIS will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they are made available.
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