International Student and Scholar Services
If you are an F-1 student who is experiencing unforeseen financial hardship while studying in the US, you may be able to
obtain off-campus employment authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under certain
conditions. This authorization may provide real help in difficult circumstances by allowing you to supplement your income
enough to meet some living expenses. Economic hardship employment authorization will not, however, enable you to earn
enough to bear the cost of full-time course of study required to maintain F-1 student status. It should not be thought of, then,
as a solution for serious financial difficulties.
Eligibility
To qualify for economic hardship employment, immigration regulations require that you meet the following conditions:
•
You are a full-time student in good standing and have been in valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year.
•
You must be able to document the circumstances which led to your economic situation were unexpected and
beyond your control.
•
You must be capable of continuing full-time studies and maintaining F-1 status while engaged in economic hardship
work permission.
Immigration regulations state that unforeseen circumstances "may include loss of financial aid or on-campus employment
without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases
in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial conditions of the student's source of support, medical bills,
or other substantial and unexpected expenses." Only unforeseen problems can be the basis for hardship employment since
students must first demonstrate that all of the financial resources needed for their program of study are available before they
are able to obtain an I-20 and enter the US in F-1 status.
Procedure
Applying for economic hardship is a two-step process:
Step One: Meet with an OIP advisor to confirm your eligibility and review the conditions and procedures for applying. It is
recommended that you bring a draft of a letter explaining your economic need and supporting evidence that documents this.
If you are eligible to apply for economic hardship, the advisor will request a new SEVIS I-20 with a recommendation for
economic hardship.
Step Two: Meet with an OIP advisor to have your application materials reviewed. Once your application is complete and
has been reviewed, mail it to USCIS.
Conditions and Restrictions of Employment
If USCIS authorizes your hardship employment application, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
from USCIS granting you permission to work off-campus. Typically, permission is granted for one year or for the remainder of
your academic program, whichever period is less. Please also note the following:
• You may work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full time during vacation
periods.
• You may work in any job, related or not related to your studies.
• You may not start employment until you have received an EAD or before the start date indicated on the EAD.
• Hardship employment does not count towards your ability to work on-campus or affect your eligibility for practical
training.
• If you transfer to another institution, your EAD becomes invalid.
I wouldnot recommend it personally, if u can work illegally, then why to put a bad record on ur F1 status. Anyway below the process
? 