If you are suffering an economic hardship due to unforeseen financial circumstances, you may apply to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for authorization to work off-campus.
Examples of unforeseen circumstances:
- Loss of financial support or on-campus employment
- 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 your source of support, such a loss of a family business
- Excessive medical bills
Eligibility:
- You have been in F-1 status, and enrolled full-time, for at least one academic year
- You are in good academic standing
- You must document that on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable/insufficient to meet your financial needs
- You must be able to provide documentation to prove your severe economic hardship
Documents Required/How to Apply:
- Request economic hardship support from International Services Advisor. The Advisor will then provide you with a new I-20 that will show proof of support for work authorization on page 2 of your I-20.
- Complete the . Please be sure to write "(c)(3)(iii)" in Section 16
- Prepare a check or money order for $410 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Obtain two passport quality color photographs (take within the last 30 days). Photos should be 2x2 inches
- Print your most recent
- Write a detailed letter describing your financial difficulties and your efforts to secure employment. Supplemental documentation such a sponsor/parent letters explaining financial hardship, news articles describing financial state of home country, etc. are highly encouraged.
- Make a photocopy of passport ID page
- Make a photocopy of visa
- Make photocopies of previous I-20s
- Prepare Financial Hardship Packet with all documentation listed above and mail to:
- USCIS
P.O. Box 805373
Chicago, IL 60680
- USCIS
Things to Remember:
- Work authorization due to financial hardship is granted up to one calendar year at a time.
- If approved, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours/week while enrolled full-time.
- If approved, you are allowed to work up to 40 hours/week while on an approved vacation term.
- Employment Authorization due to economic hardship is automatically terminated if you graduate, transfer to another university, or otherwise fail to maintain F-1 status,
- It typically takes 3-4 months for approval from DHS.