Economic Hardship

What is it?

Economic Hardship Employment Authorization is a temporary work benefit for F-1 students in the U.S. It is given to students who are facing severe and unexpected financial problems that are out of their control. This authorization is especially for students who cannot find enough other employment, like on-campus jobs.

What Counts as Severe and Unexpected Financial Problems?

• Loss of financial aid or on-campus job (through no fault of your own).
• Large changes in currency value or exchange rates.
• Sharp increases in tuition or living costs.
• High medical bills.
• Other large, unexpected expenses.

For more details, see USCIS Special Situations.

How to Apply:

1. Submit an application to USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
   
   • The current filing fee is listed at USCIS Fee Schedule. As of October 2024, the non-refundable fee for Form I-765 is $520.
   • Processing usually takes 3-4 months.
2. After Approval:
   
   • You will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allows you to work in the U.S.
   • Work hours:
     
     • Part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during school.
     • Full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during holidays or vacations.

Key Details:

• Length of Authorization:
  The work permit is valid for up to 1 year or until your graduation date, whichever comes first.
• Types of Jobs Allowed:
  You can work in any field, not just your major.
• Renewal:
  If your financial hardship continues and you haven’t graduated, you can apply for renewal. To renew, you must still be a full-time student and in good academic standing.
• Termination:
  Your work authorization will end when:
  
  • The EAD expires.
  • You lose F-1 status.
  • You transfer to another school.

Note: This work authorization does not affect your eligibility for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training).

Important Considerations:

• Think carefully before applying for Economic Hardship.
• F-1 advisors cannot predict whether your application will be approved.
• Past students have been denied because they couldn’t provide enough proof of their financial situation, such as personal or sponsor bank statements.

• Be in valid F-1 status
• Be physically in the U.S. 
• Fulfilled one-year full-time requirement in F-1 status. This employment authorization is not available for students who have just arrived in the U.S. or are in their first year of the program.
• Make a good faith effort to find on-campus employment before applying for the economic hardship employment authorization.
• In good academic standing (2.0 GPA for undergraduates/3.0 GPA for graduates)

It is essential for students to provide strong evidence/supporting documentation that proves:

• Accepting employment will not interfere with maintaining a full course load.
• The off-campus employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.
• On-campus employment is either unavailable or insufficient to cover the financial needs created by these unforeseen circumstances.

To request an I-20 with Economic Hardship employment authorization, students must complete the Updated I-20 Request Form online and upload both a letter of explanation and supporting documentation. The letter of explanation must be dated and signed by the student.

An F-1 international student advisor will review the request. If eligible, the advisor will issue an updated I-20 with the SSR off-campus employment authorization request on the second page. The updated I-20 will be emailed to the student’s SF State email account within 5 business days.

Students must mail Form I-765 and supporting documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Online filing is not available for Economic Hardship requests.

What to Include in Your Application Package:

1. Completed and Signed Form I-765
   
   • Download the form at Form I-765.
   • Follow the instructions carefully.
   • Under Part 2, question 27, type (C)(3)(iii) for Economic Hardship in the Eligibility Category.
2. I-20 with Economic Hardship Authorization
   
   • Print the updated I-20 that includes the Economic Hardship off-campus employment authorization.
   • Sign the I-20 in blue ink.
3. Letter of Explanation
   
   • This letter must explain your severe and unforeseen economic hardship.
   • It must be dated and signed.
4. Supporting Documentation
   
   • Include evidence of your economic hardship (such as financial statements, proof of loss of income, etc.).
5. Two U.S. Passport-Style Photos
   
   • Follow the instructions for passport photo requirements.
   • Write your full name and I-94 number on the back of the photos (write gently).
   • Place the photos in a small envelope for protection.
6. Most Recent I-94
   
   • Print your I-94 at www.cbp.gov/i94.
7. Official Transcripts
   
   • Include your official transcript in a sealed envelope.
8. Photocopies of Previous EAD (if any)
   
   • Include copies of any previously issued Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), if applicable.
9. Filing Fee or Fee Waiver Request (Form I-912)
   
   • Submit the required filing fee (refer to Filing Fees for current fee amounts) or complete Form I-912, if requesting a fee waiver.
   • For more details, visit Fee Waiver Information.
10. (Optional) Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application Acceptance
    
    • If you would like to receive an electronic notification (email or text) when your application is accepted, complete Form G-1145.

• Find the correct address to mail your application by visiting the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765. page. Look for the category "Foreign Students" under (C)(3)(iii).
• Students must mail their application within 30 days of the I-20 issuance date. The issuance date is usually a few days before the I-20 print date, which can be found next to the F-1 advisor's signature.
• Please allow time for mailing. USCIS will reject the application if it is received more than 30 days after the I-20 issuance date. If a student cannot mail the application within 30 days, they must contact f1@sfsu.edu and request a new I-20.

I-797C Notice of Action

USCIS will mail a paper I-797C notice to the student's address after they receive the filing fee, Form I-765, and supporting documentation. The "Received Date" on this notice indicates when USCIS begins processing the application.

If students do not receive an I-797C notice within 3 weeks of mailing their application, they should request that the receipt letter be sent to them using USCIS online tools. Students can check the status of their application by entering their receipt number under “Check your case status” at USCIS Case Status.

Request for Evidence (RFE)

USCIS may send a Request for Evidence (RFE) if additional supporting documentation is needed. Receiving an RFE does not mean the application has been rejected; it simply means that more documents must be provided before the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) can be issued.

USCIS gives applicants 30 days to respond to the RFE. If students fail to respond by the deadline, their application will be denied. An RFE may also delay the processing of the application. Students are encouraged to reach out to an F-1 advisor before responding to an RFE.

Approval/Denial Notice

USCIS will mail students an I-797 notice (different from the I-797C notice) to inform them of the approval or denial of their application.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

Students cannot begin employment until they have received their EAD and the "valid from" date on the EAD has been reached.