Economic Hardship

What it is

An F-1 student experiencing unforeseen, severe economic hardship that is beyond the student's control may be authorized for off-campus employment authorization. Unforeseen and severe economic hardships include:

• Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses
• Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student
• Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate
• Inordinate increases in tuition and /or living costs

Please note: On-campus employment means employment listed on your I-20 (such as Teaching or Research Assistantships), not employment that you secured after you arrived on campus (such as bookstore, administrative office, etc.).

Eligibility Criteria

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

• You have been in F-1 status for one full academic year
• You are in good academic standing and are taking a full course load
• Employment will not interfere with your studies
• You can demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen economic circumstances beyond your control

Duration

Economic hardship is granted by USCIS in increments of a year or until the program end date, whichever is sooner. It can be authorized part-time when school is in session, and full-time during holidays or vacation.

Documentation Needed to Apply

You should contact your OGI adviser to discuss if you may qualify for economic hardship. If you do, we will issue a new I-20 for you. For this application, you will need an updated Form I-20 from the OGI. Please review the steps outlined below to proceed with an Economic Hardship application.

Step one:

Submit your request via the OGI's Online Request/Submission Form to the OGI in order to receive an updated Form I-20. Submission must include: 

• OGI’s Application for I-20
•  A personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation and, if possible, attach backup documentation; for example, a letter from your department verifying that your assistantship has been unexpectedly terminated, a letter from home telling of a change in family circumstances or proof of a currency devaluation in your country, copies of medical bills or other substantial and unexpected expenses, etc.

Once received, the OGI will review your application and issue an updated Form I-20 with your economic hardship employment request listed. 

Step two:

Prepare your application and submit the following documents to USCIS:

• Form I-765 using the code (C)(3)(iii) at item 16
• Form I-765 filing fee
• If you intend to file for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912), we recommend that you carefully review the eligibility requirements found on the USCIS website. If you request a fee waiver and are denied, you will be required to submit a new application with the appropriate fee. This will add significant processing time to your application. 
• Completed Form G-1145 (optional)
•  A personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation and, if possible, attach backup documentation; for example, a letter from your department verifying that your assistantship has been unexpectedly terminated, a letter from home telling of a change in family circumstances or proof of a currency devaluation in your country, copies of medical bills or other substantial and unexpected expenses, etc.
• A copy of the new I-20 with the employment recommendation you received from the OGI
• Copies of your previous I-20(s)
• Print-out of electronic Form I-94 
• Copy of your passport page showing your biographical information and the expiration date
• Copy of your F-1 visa page (except Canadians) or I-797 (approval of change of status to F-1), if applicable
• Two full-face passport-style photos. The photos must be identical and in color with a plain background. They must be no more than 30 days old when the I-765 is filed to USCIS. See the specifications here.

Mailing to USCIS

Send your complete request to USCIS’s Lockbox based on where you live.

You should use a reliable, express delivery service (e.g. UPS, FedEx) to mail your application. Utilizing an express delivery service will enable you to track your application and its delivery. Please save your receipt.

Employment Authorization Card (EAD)

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 via mail.

The processing time is approximately 3-4 months until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD). You cannot begin off-campus employment until you receive your EAD and you can only work during the period listed on the EAD card. 

You may submit a request to USCIS for a renewal of your work authorization by following the same procedures outlined above. The earliest you may request a renewal is 120 days before your current EAD expires. You will have to send a copy of your current EAD along with the other documents listed above to USCIS. 

Economic hardship employment authorization is automatically terminated when you graduate, transfer to another university, or violate your F-1 status in any way (e.g. not registering as a full-time student).