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

For more information on that please visit this website or contact 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
  • Must arrange a meeting with Ellen Navarro, the Director of the Center for Intercultural Advancement Office, to discuss your eligibility for obtaining a work authorization based on severe economic hardships, enter the information into the SEVIS system and provide you with a new I-20.
  • Fill out the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, either electronically or on paper. To fill the application, you may need to upload (or send a copy of):
  • Pay the $410 application fee