Economic Hardship Employment

What is Economic Hardship Employment?

This employment authorization is granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under specific conditions. Economic Hardship Employment can help supplement a student's income and/or sponsorship under challenging circumstances. Economic hardship employment authorization won’t allow an F-1 student to earn enough to cover full-time study costs. It is a supplement to the student's income and should not be the sole source of support.

Who is eligible for Economic Hardship Employment?

To be eligible for Economic Hardship Employment, an F-1 student must meet the following conditions per federal regulations:

• You must have completed one academic year of full-time study in fall and spring, and be in good standing.
• You must prove to USCIS that employment is necessary due to severe hardship beyond your control after obtaining F-1 status. Examples of unforeseen economic hardship 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 the cost of 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."
• Be capable of continuing full-time study while engaging in Economic Hardship Employment.

Applying for Economic Hardship Employment

Economic Hardship Employment is limited to 20 hours per week during school sessions and 40 hours during official breaks. Students may work in any field, and unlike OPT or CPT, the job doesn’t need to relate to their course of study. Authorization is granted in one-year intervals, up to the expected date of completion of studies. Students must reapply to USCIS each year to renew work authorization. If a student transfers schools, authorization becomes invalid.

Economic Hardship Employment requires a student to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and receive the EAD card before employment begins. Students must show unforeseen economic hardship and obtain a recommendation from the Center for Global Engagement to apply—the unforeseen economic hardship and receive the recommendation of the Center for Global Engagement to apply for Economic Hardship Employment - PDF.

Important reminders about economic hardship employment:

• If approved, the Center for Global Engagement will notify USCIS and issue a new Form I-20 with work authorization. Students cannot begin work until they receive an EAD card.
• Apply for a social security number only after receipt of the EAD card and a job offer.
• It is the student's responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations which apply to F-1 students, including employment regulations. Working without proper authorization is a serious violation of F-1 status. Failure to comply with the rules may make students ineligible for F-1 benefits and jeopardize their stay in the U.S.