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Carnegie Mellon University5000 Forbes AvenueWarner Hall, Third FloorPittsburgh, PA 15213Tel: 412.268.5231Fax: 412.268.7832
 
www.cmu.edu/oieStudents & Scholars: oie@andrew.cmu.eduStudy Abroad: goabroad@andrew.cmu.edu
Employment Based on Severe Economic Hardship
 
Explanation
As an F-1 student, you may only work off campus in the US if you have received special work authorizationapproved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This handout will explain one type of USCISwork authorization called “employment based on severe economic hardship.” Employment based on severeeconomic hardship is designed to address situations where a financial need beyond the student’s control arises,which was unforeseen at the time the student applied to the school he or she is currently attending and after allother potential employment opportunities have proven insufficient. Examples of unforeseen economic hardshipinclude:
•
 
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 tuition and/or living costs,
•
 
Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support,
•
 
Medical bills, or,
•
 
Other substantial and unexpected expenses.USCIS CAN TAKE UP T0 90 DAYS TO AUTHORIZE EMPLOYMENT BASED ON SEVERE ECONOMICHARDSHIP, SO YOU SHOULD APPLY AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE YOU PLAN TO WORK.
Conditions and Limitations
1.
 
You must prove to USCIS that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship based oncircumstances beyond your control that arose after obtaining F-1 status.2.
 
You must have been enrolled as a full-time student in legal immigration status for at least one academicyear before you may be eligible for employment based on severe economic hardship.3.
 
The work does not need to be related to your course of study. Employment based on severe economichardship is designed for off-campus employment but can be done on-campus.4.
 
Authorization is granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of studies. Youmust reapply to the USCIS each year to renew this work authorization. Authorization ends if youtransfers schools.5.
 
Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Can be full-time during official school breaks.6.
 
Use of this category does not count towards the 20-hour on-campus maximum, nor does it effecteligibility for practical training.
7.
 
Offer of employment is not required as a condition of eligibility.8.
 
YOU CAN NOT WORK OFF-CAMPUS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES UNTIL YOU HAVEBEEN RECOMMENDED BY THE FOREIGN STUDENT ADVISOR AND AUTHORIZED BY U.S.CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES.
Application Process
 Your application must be approved by USCIS before you can begin employment. The process may take severalmonths, therefore, APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. Approval from USCIScomes in the form of a small photo ID card called an “Employment Authorization Document” or “EAD” card.To apply, follow the steps below.
STEP 1: Be Informed
Read this handout thoroughly and completely.
Updated 6/2007 
1
 
STEP 2: Document the Circumstances Causing the Economic Need
 Write a statement describing the economic need and attach backup documentation; for example, a letter fromhome telling of a change in family circumstances or proof of a currency devaluation in your home country.Explain why other employment options are unavailable or insufficient; also provide information regarding yourassets, income and expenses.
STEP 3: Make an Appointment with a Foreign Student Advisor
Call 412-268-5231 and make an appointment to see the foreign student advisor as soon as possible. You willneed to bring your passport, I-20, I-94 and information and documentation about the circumstances causing theeconomic need. The foreign student advisor will review your situation with you.
STEP 4: Complete the USCIS Application Materials
Once you have received the recommendation from the Foreign Student Advisor in the form of a new I-20; youwill need to put the rest of the application together, make copies of all the paperwork for your files, and send theentire application to the USCIS to complete the authorization procedure.HERE IS WHAT YOU MUST SEND TO USCIS:
 
A $340 check payable to “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services” or “USCIS”.
 
Original I-765 form completed by you with your original signature – 2/8/07 version ONLY (see bottomright corner of form). The code for economic hardship in item #16 is (C)(3)(iii). Note that the addressyou use must be valid for at least 3 months from the time you send the application. The U.S. PostalService will not forward the EAD card even if you leave a forwarding address. You may choose to useOIE as your mailing address. If so, put the address as:
Carnegie Mellon University, OIE Warner 3
rd
Fl., 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
 
Cover letter/checklist explaining that you are applying for employment based on severe economichardship and listing the contents of the mailing;
 
Letter (statement) explaining the circumstances of the hardship;
 
Supporting materials documenting the unforeseen nature of the economic hardship and, to the extentpossible, the unavailability of on-campus employment to meet the need;
 
Copies (front and back) of all previous “old style” and pages 1 and 3 of all SEVIS I-20 documentsdating back to beginning of F-1 status;
 
Copy of I-94 (front and back);
 
Copy of the most recent I.D. page(s) of your passport showing your name and passport expiration date;
 
Copy of the most recent U.S. visa stamp (in a page of your passport);
 
Two “passport” photos. More details about can be found at:
www.travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.html
.In pencil, print your name and write your admission number (I-94#) on the back of each photo. Passportphotos can be obtained from: FedEx/Kinkos Mailboxes, Etc.University Center, Lower Level 414 South Craig Street412-268-3737 412-687-6100
 
Copy of a previously issued EAD card if available.
STEP 5: Mail the Application Pack To USCIS
When you have completed the entire application, make a complete copy for your files, organize the materials asneatly as possible, in the order of the checklist above, and send all of the above items to the appropriate USCISService Center having jurisdiction over your place of residence. For those living in Pennsylvania the address is:USCIS Vermont Service Center75 Lower Welden St.St. Albans, VT 05479-0001We recommend that you send the application via an express mail carrier or via US registered mail “return-receipt requested” so that you have proof of delivery. Your permission to begin employment is not finalizeduntil you have received an “Employment Authorization Document (EAD)” from the USCIS.
Updated 6/2007 
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