Economic Hardship Work Authorization
Work Authorization can be granted based on the economic hardships that the F-1 student is struggling with due to unexpected circumstances. This authorization allow the F-1 student to work off while maintaining the student’s legal status in the US.
What circumstances are considered unexpected?
- Significant fluctuation in the exchange rate of the home currency’s value
- Unexpected medical conditions resulting in expensive medical bills
- Unforeseen changes in the financial state of the student’s financial sponsor
- Others
To learn more about Severe Economic Hardship work authorization, you can visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement webpage here, or contact to the Center for Intercultural Advancement.
- Be in a valid F-1 status
- Be in a good academic standing and doing full load course of study
- Employment opportunities are insufficient (or unavailable at all)
- Have an unexpected economic hardship as explained above
- Arrange a meeting with Aly Hathaway, the Director of the Center for Intercultural Advancement Office, to discuss your eligibility for obtaining a work authorization based on severe economic hardships.
- Receive an endorsement on your I-20 for Severe Economic Hardship work authorization.
- Fill out a paper copy of the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. To complete the application, you will need to send in the following with your application:
- The I-765 filing fee is $520.