Off-campus employment is available for F-1 students who are faced with extreme economic hardship due to an unforeseen change in their financial circumstances. Application for this work authorization must be made to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS will only authorize this type of employment in cases where students have clearly documented severe need. Average processing time by USCIS is 3-4 months.
Note: You should try to find on-campus employment before you are eligible to apply for this type of employment. Work through this program is limited to 20 hours per week during school session, but may be full time when school is not in session.
It is important to provide substantial documentation to the USCIS as proof of the change in your economic circumstances.
Note: Students are not always sure if their circumstances meet the eligibility requirements for this type of employment. If you are unsure, you are welcome to make an appointment with one of the International Student Advisors to discuss your particular situation and see if you do qualify.
You may provide documentation in your home language, but you must include an attached translation. You may translate documents yourself, and you must write on the translation that you are fluent in both languages, and that this is a true and accurate translation.
Types of documents may vary depending upon whether it is from your home country or from the U.S. Here are some examples (you may have other examples):
This section includes information on making an appointment, completing your paperwork and the processing time.
You should make an appointment with the the International Student Advisor, who will determine if your financial need has been adequately verified with substantial documentation (see "Documentation" section above).
If you are determined to be eligible, your advisor will help you to complete the required paperwork, including Form I-765. When this paperwork is complete, the ISC will send it to the USCIS with a request for you to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
After your Advisor sends your paperwork to the USCIS, it will take approximately 3-4 months for the application to be processed and, if approved, for you to receive your EAD.