Severe Economic Hardship

This employment is difficult to have approved by USCIS. Students can apply for off-campus employment if they are able to demonstrate severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen factors. In order to apply, review the Frequently Asked Question below and meet with an ISSS advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Under what circumstances can students apply for off-campus employment authorization?
• Who is eligible for off-campus employment?
• How many hours per week can students work?
• How long is the employment authorization valid?
• What documentation do students receive to show approval of employment permission?
• When can students begin to work?
• Do students need a job offer before the USCIS can grant employment authorization?
• If a student loses his EAD, how can he obtain a replacement?
• Can F-2 visa holders (spouses and children of F-1 visa holders) apply for off-campus employment?

Under what circumstances can students apply for off-campus employment authorization? Students can apply for off-campus employment if they are able to demonstrate severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen factors. These circumstances may include any of the following:

• Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, without the fault of the student
• Substantial fluctuations in the value of exchange rates or national currency
• Inordinate increase in tuition and/or living expenses
• Unexpected and substantial change in the financial conditions of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other expenses

Who is eligible for off-campus employment? Students are eligible to apply for off-campus employment authorization if they meet all of the following conditions:

• Must have been in F-1 status for nine months
• Must be in good academic standing
• Employment opportunities on campus are unavailable or insufficient
• Can demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with their ability to carry a full course of study

How many hours per week can students work? Students may work a total of twenty hours per week when school is in session.

• All on and off-campus employment is counted toward this twenty-hour limit.
• Students may work full time (up to 40 hours per week) during vacation and summer periods, provided they intend to and are eligible to register for the next school term.

How long is the employment authorization valid? Employment authorization is granted in one-year intervals. The USCIS will only authorize renewals if the student is maintaining good academic standing. Employment authorization is automatically terminated if students fail to maintain status.

What documentation do students receive to show approval of employment permission? The USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with an expiration date. The EAD card is a picture ID.

When can students begin to work? Students can begin to work only after the EAD is received from the USCIS.

How long do students have to wait before they obtain the EAD card? After applying for employment authorization, students receive a Receipt Notice (Form I-797) from the USCIS, indicating the current estimated processing time. This estimated processing time is subject to change.

Do students need a job offer before the USCIS can grant employment authorization? No.

If a student loses his EAD, how can he obtain a replacement? A student may request a replacement EAD by sending the following items to the USCIS:

• A completed USCIS form I-765
• $180.00 processing fee (check or money order made payable to the USCIS)
• Photocopies of the Receipt Notice and/or of the lost EAD received from the USCIS

Can F-2 visa holders (spouses and children of F-1 visa holders) apply for off-campus employment? No. F-2 visa holders are not allowed to work under any circumstances.