Severe Economic Hardship Employment | International Services

F-1 students may be eligible to apply for off-campus employment authorization as a result of severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, which arise after obtaining F-1 status.

Severe Economic Hardship Employment must be recommended by the Designated School Official and authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for employment based on severe economic hardship if:

You have been in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year;
You are experiencing economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances beyond your control that arose after you obtained F-1 status;
You are currently in good academic standing and are carrying a full course load;
Employment opportunities on campus are unavailable or insufficient;
Acceptance of employment will not interfere with your full-time study.

Unforeseen Circumstances

Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment resulting from circumstances beyond the student’s control.
Substantial fluctuations in the exchange rate or value of the student’s home country’s currency.
Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs.
Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s financial sponsor.
Unexpected medical bills not covered by insurance.
Other substantial and unexpected expenses.

If the application is approved, USCIS will issue an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) to you. If the application is denied, you will be notified by USCIS in writing.

You may not begin employment until you have received the EAD and the dates are valid.
Authorization is granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of studies.
You may work part time while school is in session and full time during official university holidays.

If the application is approved, USCIS will issue an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) to you. If the application is denied, you will be notified by USCIS in writing.

You may not begin employment until you have received the EAD and the dates are valid.
Authorization is granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of studies.
You may work part time while school is in session and full time during official university holidays.