Question 1 on the i-765 is:
I am applying for (select only one box):
1.a. Initial permission to accept employment.
1.b. Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document, or correction of my employment authorization document NOT DUE to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) error. NOTE: Replacement (correction) of an employment authorization document due to USCIS error does not require a new Form I-765 and filing fee. Refer to Replacement for Card Error in the What is the Filing Fee section of the Form I-765 Instructions for further details.
1.c. Renewal of my permission to accept employment. (Attach a copy of your previous employment authorization document.)
I have applied for OPT once before (post completion OPT) where I selected 1a. My university tells me to select 1c, but my peers from my batch who work in big companies like Microsoft and PWC and selected option 1a as directed from the (immigration lawyers at their) companies. I previously applied under category c3b and now I will be applying under category c3c. Anyone know which one I should pick?
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/immigration/comments/gwb9nf/question_1_on_the_i765_form_for_stem_extension_opt/