A prolonged U.S. government shutdown is rippling through campus career plans, as international graduates report delays in receiving the physical cards needed to start jobs under OPT work authorization. Students from universities across the United States say Employment Authorization Document production and delivery have slowed in recent weeks, leaving new hires waiting on mailrooms and couriers even after approvals show up online. Schools and employers describe a widening gap between digital case updates and the plastic cards companies require on Day 1.
What’s happening and why it matters
The timing is sensitive for F‑1 students whose Optional Practical Training start dates fall during the hiring surge that follows winter graduations. While USCIS remains open during a shutdown because its operations are funded by filing fees, downstream steps that bring a card to a mailbox can drag when other agencies scale back.
That mix has led to uneven experiences:
– Some students see normal processing from approval to delivery.
– Others face unplanned weeks between approval and delivery, pushing back employment start dates.
The result: delayed income, changed housing timelines, and added anxiety over job security for affected graduates.
Monitoring your case — what students should do
University offices urge students to monitor both SEVIS (managed by the school) and the USCIS online account for status changes. Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes that consistent monitoring is the fastest way to catch movement on a case and spot issues early, especially when tracking numbers appear without standard emails.
Advisors highlight a few practical points:
– A small delay can become larger if a card is misrouted and goes unnoticed for days.
– In a tight hiring window, those days matter.
“Check SEVIS and USCIS frequently and notify your DSO and employer immediately if you see unusual changes or missing mail tracking information.”
The role of the Designated School Official (DSO)
Schools emphasize close contact with each campus’s Designated School Official. A DSO:
– Issues the Form I‑20
– Updates SEVIS
– Helps students with status questions
During a shutdown, DSOs often act as hubs connecting students, employers, and federal contacts. They can flag regional patterns (like batches of cards held up) and suggest next steps. Some DSOs are preparing letters confirming a student’s OPT approval to help employers align onboarding with a slightly later first day.
Employer expectations and practical flexibility
Many employers maintain compliance rules: human resources teams often require the actual EAD card for I‑9 verification before allowing work to begin, even when an online case status shows “approved.”
Practical guidance for students:
– Keep recruiters informed; hiring managers appreciate early notice of potential shifts.
– Expect some employers to adjust training schedules or stagger arrivals to account for USCIS delays.
– Some offers may be held but not withdrawn if communication is clear.
USCIS remedies and student options
USCIS recommends applicants with stalled delivery submit an online e‑request for non‑delivery of a card. Student experiences vary:
– Some receive a new tracking number within days.
– Others are advised to wait longer.
Additional actions students report:
1. Phone escalations to USCIS (mixed success).
2. Scheduling in‑person visits to USCIS field offices (slots can be scarce).
3. Submitting USPS delivery intercepts if a package appears misrouted.
4. Contacting congressional constituent services for case inquiries.
For applications still pending, students file Form I‑765 to request OPT. The form, instructions, and filing fee details are on the USCIS page for Form I‑765. Agency guidance on F‑1 employment, including OPT options and rules, is on the USCIS resource page for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F‑1 Students.
Travel cautions during the shutdown
Campus advisors warn about international travel risks:
– Leaving the U.S. while an OPT application is pending can complicate reentry if a visa renewal is needed.
– During a shutdown, consular visa appointments abroad may slow or pause.
– Travel delays can stretch longer than expected.
Strong recommendation from international offices: avoid non‑essential travel until your EAD card is in hand and work has begun, unless there’s a pressing reason.
Social Security Number (SSN) delays and payroll impact
Another bottleneck: the Social Security Number. Graduates who request an SSN via the I‑765 sometimes receive the SSN card soon after the EAD arrives, but shutdown conditions can slow that step.
Impacts and suggested actions:
– Without an SSN, payroll setup and background checks may lag.
– Tell employers early that SSN issuance may take longer than usual.
– Ask whether onboarding can proceed while waiting for the SSN.
The 90‑day unemployment clock during OPT
Students are tracking the 90‑day unemployment limit during OPT, which counts days without qualifying work against F‑1 status. Delayed EAD cards can accelerate use of that window.
DSO recommendations include:
– Explore pushing start dates within the approved OPT period if feasible.
– Consider short, qualifying roles to stop the unemployment clock once the card arrives.
– Attend specialized workshops some schools offer to plan around the countdown.
What’s still working vs. where friction occurs
The core process remains intact: USCIS continues to accept and process OPT applications because the agency is fee‑funded. That means students can still:
– Submit complete packets
– Respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
– See approvals roll in online
The friction appears most often after approval, in production and delivery steps that involve third‑party vendors or coordination beyond USCIS’s direct control.
Limited ways to accelerate production
Outside narrow expedite criteria—such as severe financial loss—there’s little formal relief to speed EAD production. Actions some students try include:
– Congressional constituent service inquiries
– USPS delivery intercepts for misrouted packages
DSOs say these steps can help marginally but aren’t guaranteed solutions.
Communication best practices
University leaders urge clear communication among all parties. Career services and international offices recommend:
– Students send short weekly updates to recruiters until the card arrives.
– DSOs and international offices publish regular bulletins on status and next steps.
– HR teams prefer honest timelines over silence.
Practical tips:
1. Watch your case in SEVIS and the USCIS portal.
2. Stay in close touch with your Designated School Official.
3. Keep your employer informed of any status changes.
4. Be cautious about travel until documents are in hand.
Final takeaway
As winter hiring continues, students and schools are pairing practical workarounds with patient waiting. For those preparing to file, check the latest instructions and fees on Form I‑765, and confirm your OPT request dates match your offer.
With steady coordination among students, DSOs, and employers, most graduates can still step into their roles—just a little later than planned.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
A government shutdown has disrupted EAD card production and delivery for OPT participants, creating a gap between online approvals and physical cards needed by employers. USCIS remains open for fee‑funded processing, so applications and approvals continue online; delays occur mainly in vendor production, mail, and Social Security issuance. Students should monitor SEVIS and USCIS frequently, notify DSOs and employers, and use USCIS non‑delivery e‑requests or congressional help if necessary. Employers may adjust start dates; avoid nonessential travel until documents arrive.
