If you experience severe economic hardship due to COVID-19 circumstances as a F-1 Student, you may request off-campus employment authorization. If you meet certain regulatory requirements and therefore get approved for your employment request, you may be able to work off-campus in one-year intervals up to the expected date of your study course completion.
Examples of unforeseen circumstances include (but are not limited to):
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment (through no fault of your own);
- Substantial fluctuations in currency value or exchange rate;
- Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs;
- Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support;
- Medical bills; and
- Other substantial and unexpected expenses.
Certain regulatory F-1 requirements:
- You have been in F-1 status for one full academic year;
- You are in good standing as a student;
- You are carrying a full course of study;
- Acceptance of employment will not interfere with your carrying a full course of study;
- The employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control; and
- On-campus employment is unavailable or is not sufficient to meet the needs that have arisen due to the unforeseen circumstances.
