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Work Permission Due To Severe Economic Hardship

(F-1 Students Only)

Description

As an F-1 student, you may be eligible to apply to the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) for off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship. This program allows you to work in any kind of job off-campus. You are limited to part-time employment (a maximum of 20 hours per week) during the fall and spring semesters. You must also maintain a full course of study during the fall and spring semesters. You can work full-time during the summer or officially recognized school breaks.

Eligibility Requirements

There are four basic requirements to be eligible for this program:

  1. You must have maintained legal status for at least nine consecutive months,
  2. You must be in current legal status and carrying a full course of study,
  3. You must have made a good faith effort to find employment on-campus or through the INS pilot program, and
  4. You must demonstrate unforeseen severe economic hardship. This 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."

    Please note: If you are a transfer student from another U.S. school where you have an Economic Hardship EAD, you will lose that Economic Hardship EAD upon transferring to ULV or any other school.

Steps to Follow

Make an appointment to see an International Student Adviser to have your eligibility evaluated. If your eligibility is confirmed, compile the following documents for your second appointment:

  1. A letter from you requesting work authorization and explaining the unforeseen circumstances that have occurred since your arrival to the United States that require you to seek employment authorization.
  2. A signed and original letter from your sponsor, explaining the reasons he/she cannot fully support you at this time and why the situation was unforeseen.
  3. Any documentation which supports your case.
  4. Completed Form I-765 (form is available in the International Office or at the USCIS Web site: http://uscis.gov/). Note that question 16 should be completed as follows: ( c ) ( 3 ) (iii).
  5. Two photographs (information on photo specifications is available at the International and Study Abroad Center.)
  6. Your current I-20 (and any previous I-20's issued), valid passport, and I-94 card.

    At your appointment we will review your documents and photographs and address the envelope for you to mail.

    You will then mail the following documents to: USCIS California Service Center, PO Box 10765, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1076
  1. Letters and documentation of economic need.
  2. Front and back photocopies of your current I-20 (and previous issued I-20's) and I-94 card.
  3. Form I-765
  4. Two photographs as explained on page four of the I-765.
  5. Photocopies of previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) cards, if applicable.
  6. A personal check or money order payable to USCIS for $180.
  7. A list of your assets, income and expenses.
  8. Mark the outside of the envelope with "I-765" in large print.

A Notice of Action form when your application is received will be sent to you. If approved, your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card will be sent to you. You should bring a copy of the card to the ISAC, for your file.

** Warning: Be sure you do not begin employment until you have received your EAD card. Under no circumstances should you work past the EAD ending date, unless you have already applied and received a new EAD card. Any work without authorization is a serious violation of immigration law and subjects you to arrest and deportation.