@ taremam_bhai

I am sharing all of my experience based on my research and what I am going through. I applied for TPS and TPS ead separately because I figured out (research) that one can't have two valid EAD at the same time. So, if a person has a new EAD card through TPS then the old one will be invalid (such as if a student with OPT wants to go to school then in most cases his/her OPT Ead will be cancelled).

I didn't see a helpful sign from my school advisor. Again, after doing research, I had to decide what I wanted to do. I focused on the rules for international students that is: a student must have SEVIS transferred/ or need to have an I-20 within 60 days and have to enroll within 5 months. What I mean is, you need to treat yourself as an international student if you wish to maintain your F-1 status. It may vary on schools. I know someone who was on OPT and got tps ead within 3 months (applied together). I personally wanted to be on the safe side. It's better to ask your school about this (just a suggestion).

It's been such long time since I have applied. In your case you are still on OPT. I don't want you to feel stressed out. I am sharing all these things because I hope it will be helpful for you. I think you should do little calculation and take your own decisions, suitable for YOU cause every case is different (i am not an expert, just sharing). Right now, I am stuck because both my cases are taking freaking long time.

Hope that helps



GOOD luck