EAD (Employment Authorization Document)

The physical card (also called the work permit) issued by USCIS that proves authorization to work in the United States. F-1 students on OPT receive an EAD card after their I-765 application is approved. The card contains your photo, USCIS number (A-number), validity dates, and employment category code (C03A for pre-completion OPT, C03B for post-completion OPT, C03C for STEM OPT).