EAD (WorkPermit)

I have learned a lot from other posts, so I would like to share my experience here. Hopefully it will be helpful to whoever is dealing with similar issue.
Sep 27, 2017 - Mailed my OPT-based I-765 application to the Lockbox
Oct 2, 2017 - Case was received
Dec 19, 2017 - Service request asking for a status update
Dec 23, 2017 - Response to my request: case is under review, should receive a decision within 30 days
Jan 9, 2018 - Case approved after 100 days
Jan 11, 2018 - Card is produced
Jan 12, 2018 - Card is mailed to me
I called USCIS right away and a Level II officer provided me the tracking number
Jan 15, 2018 - Approval notice received in mail (NOT the actual card)
Jan 17 – Jan 31 - Card lost in transit (There was no updates for this piece of mail. I called USCIS customer service and was told that I basically had two options: file a EAD replacement or wait for the card to be returned. Once I file a replacement, the original EAD card would be invalid, so I decided to wait a little longer)
Feb 1, 2018 - Card returned to USCIS as undeliverable
I called USCIS and request to resend my card
Feb 9, 2018 - Response to request: the card will be redelivered. Contact USCIS again if not receive in 30 days. I thought my card would be here any minute.
Mar 1, 2018 - Another request to USCIS for status update and expediating my case
Mar 6, 2018 - Response to last request: card will be resent. Contact USCIS again if not receive in 30 to 60 days.
Mar 6, 2018 - Mailed casework form and all supporting documents to State Senator Office
Mar 15, 2018 - An attorney from Senator’s Office got in touch with USCIS officer, and the response indicated my card will be delivered within 20 days.
Mar 16, 2018 - EAD card remailed to me
Mar 19, 2018 - Card delivered in my mailbox

Some tips:
- Download and signup USPS informed delivery. It helps to track all the incoming mails. Always ask for a tracking number after the card is mailed out.
- If unfortunately your card got returned to USCIS as undeliverable, do not expect it to be resent soon. It could take USCIS up to 90 days to remail a card. Based on my experience and correspondence with USCIS, it would take approximately two months to process this request.
- In the case that a card gets lost in transit or returned, I suggest to file a EAD replacement because the replacement receipt notice can be used as a work authorization and give you 90 days to work without the physical card. However, some companies may not accept this, although it’s legit. So consult with your employers before make any moves.
- My card was returned to an office in Missouri, but I couldn’t get in touch with any internal personnel who actually works there. Due to an increasing number of undelivered cards, from what I heard, the approval notice plus the response from USCIS indicating the card will be remailed can get you started on the job. But again, some employers do not accept them as valid documents. It is totally a discernment of your employer.
- The entire process took about six months, and it was very stressful, especially given the 90-day unemployment period for F1 visa holders. Starting March, I felt that my clock ticking and panicked. I basically contacted and tried to get help from anyone I could think of: school OIS, my employer, State Senator and USCIS customer service. In my case, the attorney from Senator’s office was a huge help!
I wish no one has to go through this process. Good luck to you all~

Hi guys,

Silent reader here, but posting my timeline:

Sept 4: Lawyer prepared my documents and posted to USCIS

Sept 12: Assigned NBC, notification of fees accepted.

Oct 13: Biometrics completed.

Dec 20: Raised first SR. Generic response received.

Jan 21: Raised second SR. Generic response received.

Feb 1: Spoke to Level 2 officer another SR raised. Generic response received.

Feb 20: Contacted Ombudsman and sent all relative documents. Generic response received.

Feb 22: Contacted Congresswomen, they contacted USCIS on my behalf. No response.

March 1: Contacted Ombudsman again. Again generic response received.

March 12: Contacted Congresswomen again. USCIS promised her they would look into my file and process by the end of the week. Nothing further received.

March 19: Contact Congresswomen again. They promised her again that they are really busy and my file is now with a supervisor and they will process in the next two days. Nothing further received.

March 22: Contacted Congresswomen again. They promised her it will be done by Friday. Nothing further received.

March 27: Contacted Congresswomen again. They APPROVED my application while they were on the phone to her.

From my experience, ombudsman sucks and does nothing. The only hope is your congressman/women or your Senator. They have a direct line to each USCIS office and can check up on your file instantly. Keep calling them and don't take their word on it. Members of Congress work for you, so use them as tools. If I didn't keep calling, USCIS would've just keep pushing my application down the line.

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences. With the help from this forum, my EAD card finally arrived in the mailbox today (Day 98).

Priority date: Dec 20, 2017, NBC, c(9), marriage to USC.

I tried:
a) having my local Congresswoman submit an expedite request to USCIS based on my job offer;
b) raising a SR over the phone on Day 76;
c) contacting Ombudsman;
d) going into the local USCIS office for an InfoPass appointment.

Not sure which one of those helped, but it feels great to finally have the card and be able to start my new job soon.

Definitely sign up to check your case status at the new USCIS website https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov
The old online status checker website was never updated, but the new website was.

The USCIS websites, both new and old, never showed the USPS tracking number. Other people on this forum were absolutely right: sign up on the USPS website for Informed Delivery and opt in for all updates. USPS emailed me the EAD card tracking number through Informed Delivery when they picked up the card and I tracked the card all the way from Missouri to my mailbox.

Good luck everyone!

A general question here, I raised one SR on 03/21. Now, the Customer Reps are not raising a second SR since they are asking me to wait for 30 days. How did any of you manage to raise multiple SR's or talk to T2 officers?

I see an update in my account for a service request has been completed and response has been sent.

I havn't received anything in email nor mail yet ? When will i get the response ?

its abt my EAd application 170th day of waiting.

Hi,

 I submitted I-765 form for my L2 EAD renewal on 3/12/2018. UPS confirmed that its been delivered to Texas Service center. But I didn't not receive the receipt number yet. Also submitted G1114s, but no text message alert also. Its more than 2 weeks now. Any one have experience on not receiving the receipt number. How long we need to wait to get the receipt number

I just received a reply from USCIS stating "We are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time."

Does this mean that my case is with an officer and under review? I have seen others with responses that actually state the case is under review. So this is a little concerning to me.

Please any advice or information will help tremendously!

Hi All,

You have been a great help and support during my journey to receive an EAD. I truly appreciate this forum.

Below is my timeline:
Aug 3,17 - Filed: I 765, I485, I130 - at NBC based on marriage to a US citizen
Aug 28,17 - Received RFIE asking for tax documents from my sponsor, though I had submitted them
Sep 19,17 - USCIS received response to requestt for evidence
Dec 4,17 - First SR as the case the was beyond normal processing time ( No response yet)
Jan 4,18 - Second SR to received a call back from level 2 officer - On Jan 8, a level 2 officer called back giving no more information than saying that the case is under nomal processing time
Jan 16,18 - Infopass at local field office- the office send an email to NBC via internal system ( No response yet)
Jan 19,18 - Thrid SR to escalate Dec 4th SR- On Feb 16 received response stating that the case is under review and you will receive a decision shorlty
March 16,18 - Card is in production
March 17,18 - We approved your case
March 19, We sent a notice of approval
March 20,18 - We mailed the a card, USPS should deliver it
March 21,18 - The tracker got activitated - I have sign up for USPS informed delivery system. The origin for the card was USCIS- Corbin Production Facility
March 22,18 - Received EAD approval notice in a mail
March 23, 18 - Received physical EAD in a mail

The old USCIS account system - https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/displayLogon.do - does not get updated. The new USCIS account system - https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/ - gets updated regularly.

Good luck to all, who are still waiting for their EAD..!

Hello guys,

I have been a quiet reader here, and I appreciate everyone for sharing their experince on this plat form because I have learnt so much here.
 
here is my timeline

PD NOV 13 2017 at NBC
 I filled first SR on 3rd of March....no response
second SR 5th of March..... case currently not assigned for processing.
I contacted ombudsman...case still not assigned for processing.
I spoke with L2 officer twice...case still pending.
 filed third SR and I got this.....Your case is currently under review. You should receive a decision or notice of other action shortly.

please guys with experience, does this mean they are working on case already?

I am just confused.

I just recieved the mail requesting for initial evidence I485.

My US citizen mother petitioned me. So I’m now waiting for AOS.

She is a caregiver so she gets a different type of check so there’s no stubs.
For the RFE they’re requesting for proof of current income, such as stubs and documents
We sent them her checks, but I guess that wasnt enough? What does she need to send? Thank you