Economic Hardship Work Permit

International students can apply for a permit to work off-campus based on economic hardship if they meet the following preconditions:

• Student must have been in F1 status for at least one full academic year at CSUF before they begin the application process
• In good academic standing at CSUF (not on probation)
• Must prove to USCIS that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond student's control that arose AFTER obtaining F1 status
• Must make a good faith attempt to find on-campus jobs first. If your on-campus employment salary is insufficient to meet your expenses, be able to provide evidence of this (example: letter from supervisor stating current salary).

Application Procedure (must be completed in this order)

1. Attend Information Meeting.
2. Prepare Application Packet (see Checklist).
3. Submit Application Packet to IEE Office.
–     You may be required to submit additional documents.

4. Once your application packet has been reviewed, IEE Office will contact you for appointment with IEE Advisor.
5. During appointment with IEE Advisor, your complete Application Packet will be returned to you (including new I-20 for work permit).
6. Mail your Application Packet to USCIS.

Review and Approval

• If USCIS approves of your application, the EAD will be mailed to you. You may NOT begin employment until the EAD card has been issued.
• Employment is authorized part-time (20 hours/week or less) while school is in session and full-time during vacation.
• Employment is granted in one-year intervals up to the completion date of your program.
• You may apply for an extension of the EAD only if you can provide evidence of continuing economic hardship (documents required will be similar to the ones you submitted originally).
• Employment authorization is automatically terminated if you fail to maintain student status.
• Employment authorization is terminated if you transfer to another institution.