EAD card lost in the mail

[lillakatoussa 12]

My husband's EAD card was sent out June 6th, successfully made it's way across the country until June 9th where it's last scan was departing a USPS sorting facility and hasn't been scanned since. I have dutifully harassed the USPS to no avail, called USCIS to report that he has not received it within 7 days (as the instructions say to do on the USCIS case status page) & was told we have to wait 30 days from the date they mailed it to proceed (why the contradiction in instruction?). Anyway, made an e-request today which informed me that someone will get to me by July 15th (grrrrrrrrr).

My questions are: Has anyone had this experience & can tell me what to expect? The USPS tracking site does NOT show delivered. It is legitimately lost. How difficult of a process will it be to get them to send a new one? I'm not paying for another one, so if that's the case, I guess he'll be waiting a long while for that precious greencard. Sorry for the mini rant but I can't believe of all the pieces of mail to get lost, it's the traceable one.

[GurkenSalat 48]

USPS are notoriously bad about this stuff. Sorry to hear you're having difficulties with them

I think USCIS should send you an identical new one for free... I acually doubt they'd make you pay for it again, but I don't know for sure. It is one of my fears as well, I wish they'd use FedEx or something, this stuff is important!

Good luck and I hope you get this resolved soon!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

There is no fee for the EAD with a pending I-485, so having to pay a fee for a replacement is a non-issue.

[lillakatoussa 12]

There is no fee for the EAD with a pending I-485, so having to pay a fee for a replacement is a non-issue.

Is it?

I've read threads here that say replacement cards require a new application which in turn require a fee, as they are no longer in conjunction with the AOS app. Albeit, our case is different as it is clearly lost in the USPS. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has actually had this experience as it would not surprise me in the slightest for our government to not care who's at fault for the lost card & require a fee with any new application. Just trying to get a handle on what to expect.

Edited June 24, 2014 by lillakatoussa

[batallion9 50]

Is it?

I've read threads here that say replacement cards require a new application which in turn require a fee, as they are no longer in conjunction with the AOS app. Albeit, our case is different as it is clearly lost in the USPS. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has actually had this experience as it would not surprise me in the slightest for our government to not care who's at fault for the lost card & require a fee with any new application. Just trying to get a handle on what to expect.

Actually yes! USPS lost my wife's EAD. 1. You have to fill out a new application 2. Write a letter explaining what happened and why you should NOT have to pay for it's replacement, because USPS lost it .In letter give all information such as A#,DOB, copy on NOA,etc. 3. Call USCIS and let them know that card was lost. Speak to a teir 2. Send new application to same lock box. Will take another 3 months to receive new EAD.

It is a pain in the butt, but we got a replacement card without having to pay the " lost or replacement fee"

Edited June 24, 2014 by batallion9

[batallion9 50]

There is no fee for the EAD with a pending I-485, so having to pay a fee for a replacement is a non-issue.

There is a fee for lost or replacement EAD card. But, do not have to pay if lost card was because of error in USCIS or USPS.

Edited June 24, 2014 by batallion9

[namour7997 2]

I almost had the same experience, USPS website showed card was delivered but the card was not in the mailbox so I did call USCIS about it as their website says but I got the reply that the issue was between me and USPS since it's status was delivered. I filed a complaint at the USPS website and thereafter went in my local USPS to inquire about it. The postmaster told me that they could not do anything since it was scanned as delivered then gave me a number to call to file for a complaint at the postal inspector. I called the number and filed for mail theft. I was told they will get back to me in the next two business days.

I called USCIS again to inform them about the mail theft complaint. I was told to refile a new application and send a cover letter to waive the filing fee. Thinking about going over the same process and waiting time got me so frustrated.

In the end, we decided to get a hold of the mail person delivering the mail and talked to her about it so we can get the real picture of what happened to that particular mail. And later that very same day, she knocked on the door with the card.

Just sharing this so you can learn something from my experience. Good luck

Edited June 24, 2014 by namour7997

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Is it?

I've read threads here that say replacement cards require a new application which in turn require a fee, as they are no longer in conjunction with the AOS app. Albeit, our case is different as it is clearly lost in the USPS. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has actually had this experience as it would not surprise me in the slightest for our government to not care who's at fault for the lost card & require a fee with any new application. Just trying to get a handle on what to expect.

There is a fee for lost or replacement EAD card. But, do not have to pay if lost card was because of error in USCIS or USPS.

Okay gotcha, they want you to pay to replace it if you lose it, but not if lost in the mail. I guess if they issue them for free, then they expect you to pay for a duplicate if you happen to be at fault for losing it.

There is no fee for applying for the EAD with a pending I-485, and you can renew it for free as well, if needed. They are still in conjunction with the AOS. You fill out a new application form to renew it and all you need to do is include a copy of your I-485 receipt notice, and the fee is still waived. Same thing for anyone that did not apply for the EAD and/or AP when they filed their AOS. They can file for them after and include the I-485 receipt notice to have the fees waived.

[lillakatoussa 12]

Thanks for the replies, 3 months! Wow, that sucks but at least I have some peace of mind we won't have to pay for it again.

[lillakatoussa 12]

UPDATE: 20 days later, it was delivered!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Good news, congrats!