Employment Based on Severe Economic Hardship
Guidelines
This is a guide to help you (the student) seek employment authorization based on severe economic hardship. You must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible.
What’s the first step? – You must have been in F-1 status for one full academic year. You must also prove to I.N.S. that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond your control that arose after obtaining F-1 status.
Where can I go to work? – This is designed so that you can work off-campus, but can be done on-campus as well.
How long will I have? – I.N.S. grants increments of one year at a time but authorization will end if you transfer schools.
How many hours per week? – The amount of time you have is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, but can be full time during official school breaks.
What kind of job can I get? – The job you get can be in any field. It does not have to be related to your course of study. A job offer is not required as a condition of eligibility.
What effect will this have on other work? – The use of this category of employment does not count towards the 20 hour on-campus maximum, nor does it affect your eligibility for practical training
How do I get approval? – You must apply for EAD from I.N.S. with the assistance of the DSO.
You will need to prepare and submit the following to the DSO at the authorized school of attendance:
1. Document the circumstances causing the economic need. You can write a statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation and, if possible, should attach backup documentation; for example, a letter from home telling of a change in family circumstances or proof of a currency devaluation in your country;
2. Complete Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, using the code: “(c) (3) (iii)” at item 16;
3. Obtain a new SEVIS I-20 from the International Admissions Secretary
4. Obtain 2 ADIT style photos;
5. Bring completed items 1 through 6 to DSO
Note – the DSO does not endorse your I-20.
After checking your application for completeness, the DSO will make copies for you and your school file and then hand the package back to you. It is your responsibility to mail the whole package to:
INS Service Center
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501 – 7765
Note: Always retain copies of all documents sent to and received from the INS. Mail the application in a traceable manner (e.g. certified and return receipt).
Application Checklist
___ Form I-765 completed by the student, marked with the code “ ( c ) (3) (iii)” at item 16. Go to
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-765.htm and download the form, or just fill it online and then print it out.
___ I-765 processing fee ($120.00) in a check made out to “I.N.S”
___ 2 ADIT style photos. See http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/forminfo.htm#Photos for
photo specifications
___ A SEVIS Form I-20 ID, endorsed for employment by the DSO
___ Copy of the student’s I-94 front and back
___ A letter from the student explaining the circumstances of the hardship. Any additional
documentation testifying to the unforeseen nature of the economic hardship and to the extent
possible, the unavailability of on-campus employment to meet the need.
___ Copy of ID pages from the student’s passport or for applications for renewal of work
authorization, a photocopy of the previously issued EAD
___ Mail all the above to
INS Service Center
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501 – 7765