Travelling on OPT - lost EAD card

[steven_gu 0]

Hello everyone,

I finished my PhD last year and currently I'm doing my OPT as a postdoc at at university in the US. I am planning to visit my home country in Europe for a couple of weeks in June, but I lost my EAD card recently. Will I be able to reenter the US without my EAD card (I have a photocopy of it)?

Thanks.

Edited May 5, 2016 by steven_gu

[MASH 172]

From what I heard you need to have the actual card and if you lost it you need to let them know to give you another one and it won't be cheap and it will take time to get it

[steven_gu 0]

I came across this thread that indicates that I should be okay entering the US without my EAD card, as long as my I-20 is valid: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/575573-i-20-visa-lost-ead-card-travelling-outside-of-country/

Also, I found the following on the website for International students and scholars at my university: Please not that while your EAD card indicates "Not valid for reentry to the United States", it is still possible to travel internationally while on OPT. It only means your EAD card is not a reentry document. Your F-1 visa is your re-entry document, and during your OPT period, you must still have a valid F-1 visa to reenter the United States.

[AshwinM 0]

On 5/5/2016 at 7:48 PM, steven_gu said:

I came across this thread that indicates that I should be okay entering the US without my EAD card, as long as my I-20 is valid: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/575573-i-20-visa-lost-ead-card-travelling-outside-of-country/

Also, I found the following on the website for International students and scholars at my university: Please not that while your EAD card indicates "Not valid for reentry to the United States", it is still possible to travel internationally while on OPT. It only means your EAD card is not a reentry document. Your F-1 visa is your re-entry document, and during your OPT period, you must still have a valid F-1 visa to reenter the United States.

Steven,  I was wondering if everything was fine while traveling on your EAD card? I am in the same position as you. I have a valid I-20 and F-1 and I am not my OPT. Thanks in advance for your reply!

[Coco8 1,042]

On 5/5/2016 at 9:48 PM, steven_gu said:

I came across this thread that indicates that I should be okay entering the US without my EAD card, as long as my I-20 is valid: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/575573-i-20-visa-lost-ead-card-travelling-outside-of-country/

Also, I found the following on the website for International students and scholars at my university: Please not that while your EAD card indicates "Not valid for reentry to the United States", it is still possible to travel internationally while on OPT. It only means your EAD card is not a reentry document. Your F-1 visa is your re-entry document, and during your OPT period, you must still have a valid F-1 visa to reenter the United States.

There was a thread like 3 days ago of someone that lost the EAD abroad and it seems she cannot get back to the US. From what they said, everyone she knows has been asked to show the EAD card at reentry. 

 

The fact that it says it is not valid for reentry does not mean they cannot ask you to have it with you. The wording just means you cannot show the EAD without a valid F1. 

 

 

 

 

[jackb 0]

Steven - any update on your experience? I am currently traveling with a friend who finds herself in the same experience. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[steven_gu 0]

I had no problems at all and my experience was exactly the same as any other time I have entered the US on my OPT (meaning that I got sent to a backroom where they did some double checking).

 

A valid I-20 is the only thing that is vital to have. The officer asked whether I had my EAD card and I put up a little show searching for it in my documents,  then gave him the photocopied version and kept searching for my card. He never asked about it again.