Economic Hardship Employment

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 a loss of a family business
• Excessive medical bills

The employment authorization is granted by USCIS in increments of one year at a time.
The authorization allows you to work for any employer up to 20 hours per week while you are registered full-time.
It also allows you to work more than 20 hours per week during semester breaks and your annual vacation quarter.
This employment does not affect your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Employment authorization is automatically terminated if you graduate, fail to maintain status, or transfer to another school.

Eligibility

• You must have been in F-1 status for one academic year
• You must be in good academic standing
• You must document that on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient to meet your financial needs.

How to apply

1. Consult an OIP adviser: request to “Make an Appointment” to discuss your financial situation.
2. After your OIP appointment, request an I-20:
3. Gather the application documents to mail to USCIS:​
   • Form I-765 (write (c)(3)(iii) in item 16)
   • Form I-765 (write (c)(3)(iii) in item 16)
   • Form I-765 filing fee paid by money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
   • Photocopy of Form I-20, with your OIP adviser’s recommendation for economic hardship employment
   • Two passport style photos
   • Photocopy of I-94
   • A letter describing your financial difficulties and why on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient; include supporting evidence
   • Photocopy of passport identification page
   • Photocopy of visa page
   • Photocopies of any previously-issued EAD cards
4. After you receive your updated I-20 from OIP, make a copy. Include the copy of your new I-20 along with the other documents listed above.

If your I-765 mailing address is in Pennsylvania state (including LU OIP) mail the entire application to:

USCIS Dallas Lockbox

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: NFB AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

Application processing times vary between two to four months. Do not begin working until you receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).