Economic Hardship Work Permit

International students can apply for a permit to work off-campus based on economic hardship:

1. Make an appointment with an IEE advisor to discuss your proposed application.
2. The IEE advisor makes a recommendation to USCIS, but does not authorize employment.
3. The financial problems must be due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. The financial problem must be documented and show a substantial need. For example, "fees are too expensive" or "My sister is studying in the USA also and I don't want to be such a burden on my parents," will not be accepted by USCIS. On the other hand, " My father had a heart attack and has not worked for 6 months. His hospital bills were over $10,000 at home. My family cannot send me as much funding as before," or "My sponsor was laid off from his job" will be seriously considered by USCIS.
4. Documentation should be included to support the application. For example, copies of medical bills, news articles about your country's economy/crisis, letters from sponsors, etc.
5. You may not apply until you have been in F-1 status for one academic year and are in good academic standing with the university.
6. You MUST make a good faith attempt to find a campus job first. If on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient, be able to document this e.g. a letter from the office where you were unable to find a job.
7. If USCIS approves the application, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be issued. You may NOT begin employment until the EAD card has been issued.
8. Employment is restricted to 20 hours per week when school is in session, and 40 hours per week during breaks and vacation periods. The 20/40 hour restriction includes any campus employment.
9. Acceptance of employment must not interfere with carrying a full course of study.

Application Process
Schedule an appointment with an IEE advisor to discuss application process and documents needed.

Review and Approval

• If USCIS approves of your application, the EAD will be mailed to you.
• 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.