Janice Lozano
International students in the US who are facing severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances may apply for off-campus employment authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To be eligible, students must demonstrate that their financial situation has changed unexpectedly and is beyond their control, such as the loss of financial aid or substantial fluctuations in currency value. The application process typically involves providing documentation of the unforeseen circumstances, a letter describing the financial hardship, and proof that on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient. While economic hardship employment can provide a supplemental income, it may not be sufficient to cover all living expenses and should not be relied upon as a solution for long-term financial difficulties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student Status | F-1 or J-1 student |
| Full-Time Enrollment | Yes |
| Academic Year | Minimum of 1 full academic year |
| Unforeseen Circumstances | Yes |
| Continued Enrollment | Yes |
| Documentation | Photocopies of Form I-20, cover letter, letter of support, photographs, etc. |
| Application Fee | $520 |
| Processing Time | 2-4 months |
| Work Hours | 20 hours per week while school is in session; full-time during breaks |
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What You'll Learn
Document unforeseen circumstances
To prove economic hardship as an international student, you must demonstrate that your financial situation has taken an unexpected turn for the worse and that this change was beyond your control. This could include a range of unforeseen circumstances, such as:
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of your own
- Substantial fluctuations in the value of exchange rates or national currency
- An inordinate increase in tuition and/or living expenses
- Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support, such as the loss of a family business, medical bills, or other unusual expenses
To document these unforeseen circumstances, you will need to provide evidence to support your claim. This could include a letter from your sponsor stating that their funding has been discontinued or a police report if you have lost all evidence of your status or employment authorization due to unforeseen circumstances. You will also need to submit a letter describing your financial difficulties and why on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient, along with any other supporting evidence.
It is important to note that only unforeseen problems can be the basis for hardship employment authorization. Students must first demonstrate that they had all the financial resources needed for their program of study before they can obtain an I-20 and enter the US in F-1 status. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student, you may be able to obtain off-campus employment authorization if you are experiencing unforeseen, serious financial hardship while studying in the US. The employment authorization is typically granted for one year or the remainder of your academic program, whichever is less, and allows you to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full time during vacation periods.
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Prove financial hardship
To prove financial hardship as an international student, you must meet certain conditions and provide supporting documentation. Here are the steps you need to take:
Full-Time Enrollment
Firstly, ensure that you are a full-time student in good academic standing. For F-1 students, this typically means having valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year (two semesters). For J-1 students, the requirement is to hold valid J-1 status.
Unforeseen Financial Hardship
The adverse change in your financial situation must have been unexpected and beyond your control. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include:
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of your own.
- Substantial fluctuations in the value of exchange rates or national currency.
- Inordinate increase in tuition and/or living expenses.
- Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support, such as medical bills or other unusual expenses.
Documentation
To prove financial hardship, you will need to provide supporting documentation. This may include:
- A letter describing your financial difficulties and why on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient.
- Documentation of the unforeseen change in your financial circumstances, such as proof of currency devaluation, exchange rate data, or medical bills.
- A completed USCIS Form I-765, with the appropriate notation in item 16.
- A copy of your new I-20 issued by your international advisor, recommending economic hardship.
- Two identical, recent photographs of yourself, following the USCIS requirements.
- Supporting letters or documentation related to your circumstances, such as a letter from a doctor or newspaper clippings.
Application Process
Once you have gathered all the required documentation, you can submit your application to USCIS. The application process typically takes around 2 to 4 months, but it can vary. There is an application fee, although you may be able to submit a fee waiver request. You can use a reliable express delivery service to track your application. Remember that economic hardship employment authorization is not a solution for serious financial difficulties, and it may not provide sufficient income to cover all your expenses.
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Provide supporting documentation
To prove economic hardship as an international student, you must provide supporting documentation to demonstrate that your financial hardship was unforeseen and beyond your control. Here are the key documents to include:
Letter of Explanation
Write a letter describing the unforeseen circumstances that led to your financial hardship. Outline how your financial situation has changed and explain your current financial needs. It is important to address the letter to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and present a reasonable, short-term plan to address your financial difficulties.
Evidence of Unforeseen Circumstances
Provide evidence to support your claim of unforeseen circumstances. For example, you may include proof of currency devaluation, loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, unexpected medical bills, or documentation of a significant disaster in your country. If your situation involves a sponsor, include their initial letter of financial support and bank statements.
Photocopy of Form I-20
Include a photocopy of Form I-20, which is an endorsement indicating your eligibility for economic hardship employment. Ensure that you have signed and dated the Student Attestation section. You may also need to provide photocopies of previous I-20s.
Cover Letter and Letter of Support
Prepare a cover letter explaining your situation and any relevant circumstances. Additionally, obtain a letter of support from your International Student Services (ISS) advisor. This letter will be provided after you submit a complete application to ISS.
Photographs
Include two identical, natural color photographs of yourself. These photographs must be taken within 30 days of your application and should adhere to the USCIS requirements. Write your name and I-94 number lightly on the back of each photo in pencil.
Other Documents
Depending on your specific situation and the requirements of the institution, you may need to provide additional documents. For instance, you may need to submit a completed USCIS Form I-765 or include a copy of your updated I-20 from ISS. Always review the instructions and eligibility criteria provided by the relevant authorities.
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Outline how you're supporting yourself
International students face many challenges, from visa status and availability of in-person classes to cultural and language differences. To support yourself as an international student, you can take several proactive steps to ensure your academic and personal success.
Firstly, building a solid network is crucial. Leverage alumni networks and mentorship programs to connect with other international students and alumni. These connections can provide valuable guidance and support throughout your academic journey and beyond.
Secondly, expand your social and professional network beyond the campus. Engage with organizations that work directly with international students and follow them on social media to stay informed. Building relationships with various support services on campus, such as the international student office, tutoring programs, advising centres, and multicultural centres, can provide you with additional resources and assistance.
Additionally, seek support in your job search and career development. Attend career fairs and networking events hosted by your university or in your host country to explore different career paths and connect with potential employers. Be strategic in your job hunt, as international students often face immigration hurdles and employer biases.
It is also important to prioritize your mental health and well-being. Joining cultural student organizations can provide a safe and welcoming space to discuss shared experiences and cultural challenges. These organizations often host social events and celebrations, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.
Lastly, be proactive in addressing any unforeseen economic hardships. If you encounter severe financial difficulties, you may be eligible for off-campus employment authorization by providing documentation and demonstrating that your circumstances were unexpected and beyond your control. This can supplement your income to meet living expenses. Remember to carefully review the regulations and requirements for economic hardship employment authorization in your host country.
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Submit a complete application
To submit a complete application for economic hardship as an international student, you must provide extensive documentation to prove your eligibility. Here is a list of the documents you should include:
- Proof of Student Status: Photocopies of your previous I-20 forms, as well as a photocopy of the new Economic Hardship endorsement I-20, signed and dated in the Student Attestation section.
- Letter of Explanation: Write a cover letter explaining your situation and describing the unforeseen circumstances that led to your economic hardship. Outline how your financial circumstances have changed, and why on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient to cover your expenses. Address the letter to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Documentation of Unforeseen Circumstances: Provide evidence of the unforeseen change in your financial circumstances. This could include proof of currency devaluation, loss of financial aid, unexpected medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
- Photographs: Include two identical natural colour photographs of yourself, taken within 30 days of your application. Write your name and I-94 number lightly in pencil on the back of each photo. Ensure that the photos meet the USCIS requirements to avoid delays in receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
- Supporting Documentation: Include any other relevant supporting documents, such as letters from doctors, exchange rate data, newspaper clippings, or documentation from your family or financial sponsor.
- Completed Form I-765: Complete the USCIS Form I-765, writing "(c) (3) (iii)" in item 16, and use an address where you can receive mail for the next three months.
Please note that you should not send original documents, only photocopies. Additionally, use a reliable express delivery service (e.g., UPS, FedEx) to mail your application, which will enable you to track your application and ensure its delivery. Keep the receipt for your records.
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Frequently asked questions
Economic hardship employment is permission granted to F-1 or J-1 students to work off-campus due to unforeseen serious financial difficulties.
To be eligible, you must be a full-time student in good academic standing and have been in valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year. You must also demonstrate that your adverse financial situation was unexpected and beyond your control.
Examples include loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, substantial fluctuations in currency value or exchange rates, unexpected changes in the financial condition of your sponsor, and other substantial and unexpected expenses such as medical bills.
You will need to submit a completed USCIS Form I-765, a copy of your new I-20 issued by your international advisor recommending economic hardship, a cover letter explaining your situation, supporting documentation confirming the circumstances, and two identical natural colour photographs of yourself.
The processing time for the application can vary from two to four months, or up to 90 days according to some sources. It may take several months to hear back from USCIS, and the processing time can depend on the time of year and workload at the Service Center.
