Severe Economic Hardship (SEH) Employment (for F-1 Students)

Under certain circumstances, F-1 students may apply for employment authorization to avoid severe economic hardship. This authorization may be granted by USCIS if a student’s means of financial support decrease due to circumstances beyond the student’s control during the student’s academic program. Examples of circumstance that might qualify a student for this type of employment authorization may include but are not limited to the following:
● Economic crisis in home country
● Severe currency devaluation
● Sponsor or family business failure
● Death or illness of sponsor or family member providing primary support

Authorization is in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), a work permit produced and sent to the student by USCIS.

Eligibility Requirements

Students should be prepared to document the financial situation completely and accurately in order to qualify for a work permit to avoid economic hardship. USCIS evaluates applications of this type very strictly and failure to establish eligibility will result in the denial of the application. Before applying, students must establish the following:
● That the student has been enrolled in the current program as an F-1 student for at least one academic year
● That the student is maintaining F-1 status
● That economic hardship is both unforeseen and beyond the student’s control
● That there are insufficient employment opportunities on campus to meet the student’s economic need

Application Process

To apply for employment authorization to avoid severe economic hardship, the student should first consult with an ISO advisor to discuss the situation in detail and determine eligibility for this benefit. The student must then submit the following documents to the Notre Dame Immigration Services Office:
□ Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
□ I-765 filing fee (currently $340.00 USD)
□ Two passport style photos
□ Letter from from the student that includes the following:
-Description of the hardship
-Explanation as to why the hardship is unforeseen and beyond the student’s control
-Confirmation that insufficient employment opportunities exist on campus to meet need
□ Evidence of the hardship (may include newspaper articles, tax statements, letters from sponsors or other evidence that
may be identified through conversations with an advisor in the ISO))
□ Copies of the student’s
□ All I-20 forms issued to the student
□ Passport (biographical and issuance/expiration information)
□ I-94 card (front and back)
□ Visa (most recent, if available)
□ Copies of any previously issued Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

The student initiates application by submitting request to ISO including evidence of the economic hardship and completes process by mailing application to USCIS.

● Current USCIS processing time is approximately 2-3 months.
● Employment authorization is granted for 20 hours per week during regular fall and spring semesters and full-time during scheduled school breaks and must not interfere with enrollment in a full course of study.
● Employment authorization is granted in 12-month intervals and is renewable for duration of hardship during program.
● Does not affect eligibility for OPT.
● Employment is not required to be related to student’s major field of study.

IMPORTANT NOTES: Students must continue to enroll in a full course of study during the academic year while authorized for employment.

Employment off campus may not begin until student receives EAD and start date has passed.