F-1 Economic Hardship

According to immigration regulations if other employment opportunities are not available or otherwise insufficient, F-1 students are eligible for off-campus work authorization if economic hardship has been caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the student (parent or sponsor) that arose only after arriving in the U.S.

According to immigration regulations if other employment opportunities are not available or otherwise insufficient, F-1 students are eligible for off-campus work authorization if economic hardship has been caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the student (parent or sponsor) that arose only after arriving in the U.S.  These circumstances may include 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, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.

Eligibility

• Have been in legal F-1 status for a minimum of one full academic year
• Have evidence to demonstrate the economic hardship has been caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control
• Have a GPA of 2.0 or better for undergraduates or 3.0 or better for graduates
• Demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with carrying a full course load
• Be currently registered full time (12 credits for undergraduates, full time by department standards for graduates) during the spring and fall semesters or pre-registered (full time for the following term) during vacations

Passport

• Passport must be valid and must have a validity period of at least 6 months prior to filing for economic hardship application
• If your passport is valid for less than 6 months, please apply at your consulate for a renewal before filing for economic hardship application

I-20

• At the time of filing, your I-20 must be valid
• The remaining validity period should be at least one semester

Application Procedure

Students must apply to USCIS on form I-765 for permission to accept employment.  Download the entire application and bring the completed items to the International Center for Students and Scholars at time of appointment.  An International Student Advisor will review your application and recommend it in SEVIS if all are in order.

Checklist:

Bring to the International Center for Students and Scholars located on the Garden level of the Wahlstrom Library, G133:

• Form I-765, complete fully and sign in BLUE ink. | Instructions I-765 Form (PDF)
• Two passport style color photos with your name, date of birth and SEVIS ID printed in a pencil on the back; See examples here
• $410 filing fee (You must visit USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 to make sure the fee is current and correct at the time of filing your application to USCIS.), make a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”.  Date on check must be current!!! | Check Sample (PDF) .
• If you cannot afford to pay the fee, you may review USCIS website for Form I-912 and Instructions for Form I-912 to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver. Fee waiver is hard to obtain and may delay your economic hardship application.
• Write a letter addressed to USCIS detailing the unforeseen circumstances causing the economic hardship.  Include original source of financial support. | Sample Letter
• Expense/Income Worksheet
• On-Campus Employment Verification Form
• Evidence of unforeseen circumstances which has caused your economic hardship
• Copy of ALL I-20 forms (page 1 and 2)
• Copy of I-94 card (front and back) if you have a paper I-94 card. Stamp must be clearly legible. Electronic I-94 is available here.
• Copy of passport: information page with expiration date and stamp of first entry into the US in F status
• Copy of F-1 visa
• Copy of form I-797 (approval notice for change of status) if you had a change of status to F-1