Severe Economic Hardship

• Overview

  Economic hardship employment authorization is permission granted to F-1 students by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work off-campus due to specific economic hardship criteria.

• Eligibility

  Eligiblity

  If you are suffering a 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.

  To be eligible for economic hardship employment authorization, you must document that:

  • You have been in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year (two semesters).
  • You are experiencing economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances that arose after you obtained F-1 status.
  • You are currently in good academic standing and are carrying a full course load.
  • Employment opportunities on campus are unavailable or insufficient.
  • Acceptance of employment will not interfere with your full-time study.
• Qualifying Unseen Circumstances

  Qualifying Unseen Circumstances

  • Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment resulting from circumstances beyond the student’s control.
  • Substantial fluctuations in the exchange rate or value of home country’s currency.
  • Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s financial sponsor.
  • Unexpected medical bills.
  • Other substantial and unexpected expenses.
• How to Apply

  How to Apply

  The steps below outline how to apply for severe economic hardship.

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  Step 1: Submit the Request in accessVIS

  Submit the Severe Economic Hardship request in accessVIS, uploading copies of the following documents:

  • Current Form I-94 
  • Passport (including identity pages and expiration date)
  • F-1 Visa 
  • Personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation; address the letter to the USCIS
  • Evidence and/or documentation of your economic hardship

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  Step 2: Receive Your Updated I-20

  When your application is complete, VIS produce a new I-20 with Economic Hardship recommendation. You will receive an email from VIS with a link to download, print and sign your the updated I-20. If you notice any mistakes on your I-20 please contact your VIS Advisor immediately.

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  Step 3: Prepare Your I-765 Application

  Gather and prepare the following documents to support your I-765, Application for Employment Authorization:

  • $410 Application Fee
  • Passport-Style Photos:  Two identical passport-style photographs, issued within the last 30 days, name and I-94 # gently written on back.   See Department of State’s guidelines. 
  • Form G-1145
  • Form I-765
  • I-20 recommending Economic Hardship
  • All previously issued I-20s:  Provide photocopies of all Form I-20s ever issued to you.
  • Passport:  Provide photocopies of the identification pages in your passport, including photo, passport # and expiration date.
  • F-1 Visa
  • Form I-94: Provide a copy of your most recent I-94. Download your electronic I-94 from CBP's website.
  • Evidence of the unforeseen change in your financial circumstances.
  • Letter of support from VIS. Your VIS advisor will provide this letter after you submit a complete application in accessVIS.
  • Personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation, addressed to USCIS. 

  - Describe the facts that led to the problem, explain the difficult situation that could not be avoided and how you are not at fault, and present a reasonable plan that is short-term and designed to get you out of financial hardship.

  - Include a statement about how this employment will not impact your ability to maintain a full course load in the future. If you have experience managing course work and on-campus employment, you should mention that.

  - Elaborate on why other on-campus jobs are not available.

  - If you are choosing a start date earlier than the published processing times, indicate that you accept a change in authorization dates due to adjudication.

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  Step 4: Send Your I-765 to USCIS

  I-765s filed for severe economic hardship situations must be filed by mail. Send your application to the USCIS Lockbox  with jurisdiction over the address you indicated as your "Mailing Address" on the I-765 (Part 2, Item 5.e.) via FedEx or UPS.  USCIS must receive it within 30 days of the date your I-20 was issued.

  eShipGlobal has created an option for students to schedule pick up directly on UEMS (from your residential address) for your OPT packages to be mailed to USCIS office.

  Instructions:

  1. Go to study.eshipglobal.com  to log in or create a free account.
  2. Select "OPT Application" or "Send Documents to USCIS."
  3. Enter your mailing information and select the correct USCIS location.
  4. On the University Information screen, type SUNY at Stony Brook.
  5. Select the carrier you want to use, pay for shipping and print the label. Click on 'schedule pick up' and request for the carrier to pick up from your residence.

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  Step 5: Track the Status of Your Application

  You should receive an electronic receipt from USCIS within 2-3 weeks and a paper receipt within 3-5 weeks. Once you get your receipt notice, check your case status with your receipt number here.

  Contact VIS immediately if you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE)  from USCIS, as an updated Form I-20 may be necessary. 

  Traveling outside of the U.S. is not recommended while your I-765 is pending with USCIS.

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  Step 6: Report Your Approval to VIS

  Once your request for work authorization due to severe economic hardship has been adjudicated by USCIS, AND you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), please scan and email a copy to your VIS Advisor.

  If you notice any mistakes on your EAD please contact your VIS Advisor immediately so we can assist you in getting the card corrected.

  REMEMBER: You may not begin working, volunteering or interning until you have received your EAD card, AND not until the start date printed on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).