Overview

If you are suffering severe economic hardship due to unforeseen changes in your financial circumstances, you may apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for authorization to work off-campus.

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Examples of Unforeseen Circumstances

• Loss of financial support or on-campus employment

• Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate 

• Inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs

• Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support, such as loss of a family business

• Excessive medical bills

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Employment Authorization

• Employment due to severe economic hardship is granted by USCIS in increments of one year at a time

• This authorization allows you to work for any employer. Your employment does not need to be relevant to your degree program.

• This authorization allows you to work up to 20 hours per week while you are registered as a full-time student

• This authorization allows you to work more than 20 hours per week during quarter breaks and during approved annual vacation

• The authorization is automatically terminated if you graduate, fail to maintain a lawful F-1 status, or transfer to another school.

 

Under the Severe Economic Hardship authorization, these activities will not affect your F-1 status or your post-completion OPT eligibility. Students granted this authorization are still responsible for meeting their on-campus attendance requirements.

 

Note about F-2 dependents: An F-2 dependent is NOT authorized to work in the United States, regardless of the employment authorization status of their F-1 student.

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How to Apply

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Step 1) Make an appointment to meet with Student Services to discuss your financial situation.

After you have met with Student Services and have been given preliminary approval to begin the application process, you can move on to step 2.

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Step 2) Request supporting documentation from WUST

Submit an I-20 request form in order to receive an I-20 with a DSO recommendation for severe economic hardship on it. Under “reason for I-20 request,” select “Severe Economic Hardship Application.” You must meet with a Student Services advisor BEFORE requesting an I-20, or the request will be denied.

 

Submit a Student Verification Letter request form. In the box labeled “purpose of verification letter,” note the letter is for your Severe Economic Hardship application. This letter will serve as evidence that you have been in valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year, are a student in good standing, and are enrolled in a full course of study.

 

**I-20 and student verification letter requests may take 3-5 business days for processing.

 

Step 3) Fill out the Form I-765

Fill out Form I-765 to file for employment authorization. Read the instructions sheet before filling out the form.

 

On Part 2 of the form, you must enter the correct eligibility category: (c)(3)(iii)