Economic Hardship Employment Authorization for F-1 students allows international students who face sudden and severe financial difficulties to apply for off-campus work permission from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This authorization helps students continue their studies without interruption when on-campus job opportunities are unavailable or insufficient.

If you believe you qualify, read this entire guide carefully, gather your documents, and email us with your questions or to set up a meeting at the school for help preparing your USCIS package.

What is Economic Hardship Employment Authorization?

Economic Hardship Employment Authorization for F-1 students is special permission granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work off-campus due to severe, unforeseen financial difficulties.
If other employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient, eligible students may apply for this authorization to continue their studies without interruption.

These hardships may include loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, large currency fluctuations, increased tuition or living costs, unexpected changes in your sponsor’s finances, or major medical bills.
(Source: 8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C)-(D) and (F))

Who is eligible for Economic Hardship Employment Authorization?

To qualify for Economic Hardship Employment Authorization for F-1 students, you must show that:

• You are experiencing unforeseen financial hardship that arose after obtaining F-1 status.
• You are currently in good academic standing and enrolled full-time.
• On-campus jobs are unavailable or insufficient.
• Working off-campus will not interfere with your full-time studies.

Examples of Unforeseen 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 for Economic Hardship Employment Authorization

Follow these steps carefully:

1. Read this guide completely and collect all required forms and documentation.
2. Once complete, Los Angeles Acting Conservatory (LAAC) will enter your application into the SEVIS system and issue a new I-20 recommending Economic Hardship Employment Authorization.
3. Submit your application by mail to USCIS, following the checklist below.

Submit the Economic Hardship application and supporting documents BY MAIL to the USCIS Service Center. If approved, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (“EAD card”) from the USCIS Service Center.

Documents to Send to USCIS – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Mail a manila envelope with the following materials to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox.
Always confirm the latest address at the USCIS I-765 page.

Where do I send my Economic Hardship application?

Visit the USCIS I-765 Direct Filing Address for the current lockbox mailing address and to confirm it hasn’t changed. Be sure to click on “Foreign Students”.

You should use a reliable, express delivery service (e.g. UPS, FedEx) to mail your application. Utilizing an express delivery service will enable you to track your application and its delivery. Please save your receipt.

Mailing to USCIS

USCIS Chicago Lockbox

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

PO Box 805373

Chicago, IL 60680

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: I-765 C03

131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor

IMPORTANT: ONCE YOUR PACKAGE IS READY WITH ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS, MAKE ONE SET OF COPIES OF THE EXACT CONTENTS AND PUT IN AN ENVELOPE THAT YOU WILL KEEP FOR YOUR RECORDS.

MAKE SURE YOU SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH ALEXANDRA AT THE SCHOOL TO PREPARE THE USCIS PACKAGE BEFORE MAILING YOUR APPLICATION.

How long will processing at the USCIS take?

Processing time at the USCIS is estimated to be 90-120 days. However, processing times vary widely, depending on the time of year and workload at the Service Center to which you send your application.

You cannot begin employment until you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS and the “start date” printed on the EAD card is effective.

Important Reminders

• Economic Hardship Employment Authorization is limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session and 40 hours per week during school breaks. 
• Economic Hardship employment authorization is normally issued for one year. You may submit a request to the USCIS for renewal of work authorization by following the same procedures outlined above. The earliest you may request a renewal is 180 days before your current EAD expires. Please remember to send a copy of your current EAD along with the other documents listed above to the USCIS. 
• Employment authorization is automatically terminated when you graduate, transfer to another university or violate your F-1 status in any way (e.g. not registering as a full-time student).

Employment Authorization Card (EAD)

If the application is approved, USCIS will issue an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) to you. If the application is denied, you will be notified by USCIS in writing. You may not begin employment until you have received the EAD and the dates are valid. Authorization is granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of studies. You may work part-time while school is in session and full-time during official university holidays.