If other employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, an eligible F-1 student may request employment authorization based on severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. These circumstances may include a 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, or unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
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.
Please note the economic hardship application fee is not cheap, and applications are more often denied than approved. If denied the application fee is non-refundable.
- Fill Economic Hardship Request.
- Fill Employment under Economic Hardship.
- A personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation and, if possible, attach backup documentation; for example, news articles, a letter from home telling of a change in family circumstances or proof of a currency devaluation in your country, etc.
- Completed Form I-765, using the code (C)(3)(iii) at item 16. Do not date the form until you are ready to send the application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Copies of your current and previous I-20s.
- Copy of paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94.
- Copy of your F-1 visa page (except Canadians) or I-797 (approval of change of status to F-1), if applicable.
- Copy of your unofficial transcript.
Once you have requested a Severe Economic Hardship Employment recommendation and received your new I-20 from IPS, you will need to prepare and submit the following list of items to USCIS:
- A copy of the new I-20 with employment recommendation.
- Copies of your previous I-20(s).
- Copy of paper or 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.
- Form I-765 and the base fee.
- 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. Photos can be obtained at MTU IPS Put photos in an envelope. You should attach the fee and the photo envelope on top of the entire application (in the upper left-hand corner). Please do not staple the fee and the photos.
- The personal statement, along with any other supporting documents, if available.
Mailing to USCIS
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
- U.S Postal Service (USPS)
- USCIS, PO Box 805373, Chicago, IL 60680
- FedX, UPS, and DHL deliveries
- USCIS, Attn: I-765 C03, 131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-5517
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.