Severe Economic Hardship

Off-campus Employment Due to Severe Economic Hardship

An AAE F-1 student who experiences severe, unforeseen economic necessity due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) may apply to USCIS for off-campus work authorization. Applications are reviewed by USCIS on a case-by-case basis. If approved, this work authorization is available in one-year intervals. Please be advised that this communication is for informational purposes only and it does not guarantee an expected outcome. Contact USCIS for more detailed and further information.

Eligibility

Before AAE can recommend off-campus employment, you must demonstrate all of the following:
  • Student must have been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year (9 months)
  • Student must be in good academic standing and is carrying a full course of study
  • Student must prove to USCIS that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond his or her control that arose after obtaining F-1 status.
  • The student "has demonstrated that employment is unavailable or otherwise insufficient to meet the needs that have arisen as a result of the unforeseen circumstances."
  • "The student has demonstrated that acceptance of employment will not interfere with the student's carrying a full course of study."
Important Guidelines
  • Granted by USCIS in increments of one year at a time, or until the program end-date, whichever is shorter;
  • Authorization ends if a student transfers schools;
  • Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session; can be full-time during official school breaks;
  • Can be in any job. Does not have to be related to course of study.
  • Must apply for EAD from USCIS (see below), and receive EAD before employment begins.

STEP 1 - Apply to AAE

Submit a letter to AAE. Write a personal letter explaining the circumstances of your unforeseen severe economic hardship caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon our recommendation, we will issue an updated Form I-20 supporting your employment due to hardship for your application to USCIS. The letter should include the following information and statements.
  • Maintenance of F-1 status for at least one academic year (AAE can provide a letter);
  • The student is currently in good standing (AAE can provide a letter);
  • The student has demonstrated that acceptance of employment will not interfere a full course of study;
  • The student has demonstrated that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control;
  • The student has demonstrated that on-campus employment is unavailable or otherwise insufficient to meet the student's needs that arose because of the unforeseen circumstances
Provide Evidence. It is strongly recommended to provide documentation to support your claim. For example, you may provide news articles, proof of currency devaluation, letter from a person who is familiar with the situation, etc.


STEP 2 - Apply to USCIS
  • Document the circumstances causing your economic need. Write a statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation and, if possible, attach supporting documentation; for example, a letter from home telling of a change in family circumstances or proof of a currency devaluation in the student's country. In addition, provide the following:
    • Evidence you have been in valid F-1 status for one full academic year, are a student in good standing, and are enrolled in a full course of study (AAE can provide a letter);
    • Evidence that accepting employment will not interfere with your enrollment in a full course of study
    • Evidence the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship
    • Evidence that on-campus employment is not available or is not sufficient to meet the needs that have arisen due to the unforeseen circumstances;
  • A copy of Form I-20 (see STEP 1). Upon AAE recommendation for employment, we will complete the employment page certifying your eligibility for off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship;
  • Complete Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, using the code: (c)(3)(iii) in the Eligibility Category field;
  • Obtain 2 photos
    • The instructions state that the photos must have been taken no more than 30 days before filing the form;
  • Provide a check or money order for the $410 I-765 fee plus the additional $85 biometric fee, for a total of $495  
    • The correct filing fee for Form I-765 must be included, unless the student wishes to request a fee waiver, in which case the student should also include a properly completed and documented Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. The student should review USCIS guidance on fee waivers before completing Form I-912.

STEP 3 - Mail your Complete Application to USCIS

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
P.O. Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

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