F-1 Economic Hardship

Current Students

An employment authorization for economic hardship may be given when unforeseen circumstances beyond a student's control create a serious financial burden. Economic hardship authorizations are issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). An economic hardship authorization permits a student to engage in off-campus employment for up to 20 hours per week while pursuing a full course of study. Authorizations are given in one-year increments.

Students may apply for renewals of the work authorization if conditions have not improved. 

Eligibility

In general, you must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for an economic hardship authorization

  • You are currently in good academic standing and valid F-1 status
  • You have been enrolled in F-1 status for at least one academic year
  • You have made a good faith effort to locate on-campus employment
  • You must show that on-campus employment is insufficient to meet your current financial need
  • You have not completed all of your degree requirements

Unforeseen circumstances may include any of the following:

  • Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, through no fault of the student
  • Substantial fluctuations in currency exchange rates
  • Unexpected changes in your source of financial support, such as medical bills or loss of employment

Failure to acquire a research or teaching assistantship after you arrive in the United States does not qualify as a need for an economic hardship authorization. In general, eligibility is related to a change in the source of financial support originally documented in the I-20, such as family funds or scholarships.

Application Process

Applying for Severe Economic Hardship requires several steps.

  1. Obtain an Economic Hardship recommendation I-20 from ISSS
    1. Email isss@du.edu with a brief explanation of your situation.
    2. If ISSS believes you might qualify, ISSS will add the "Economic Hardship Employment (F)" to your ISSS Portal account.
    3. You will complete and submit the request and it will be routed to an ISSS Advisor for review. 
    4. An ISSS Advisor will contact your if more information is necessary and may need to meet with you to discuss your specific situation.
    5. If eligible, ISSS will issue an updated I-20 with the Severe Economic Hardship recommendation listed on page 2 and a letter of support for you to include with your USCIS application.
  2. Once you have your updated I-20, you will apply to USCIS. The following documents will be needed for your application:
  • Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization. Download form directly from USCIS website. (Severe Economic Hardship is not currently eligible for electronic filing--as of August 2025)
  • Letter from you explaining your situation
  • Documentation supporting your case
  • Copy of your DU I-20 recommending economic hardship
  • Photocopy of your F-1 visa
  • Photocopy of your passport ID page, including any extension or renewal pages
  • Photocopy of your I-94 Arrival/Departure form
  • Two passport-style photos
  • Appropriate Paper Filing fee ($520--as of August 2025-- but you must check USCIS Filing Fees for the current fee) or Form I-912 Request for Fee Waiver
  • Letter from ISSS
  • Copy of transcripts

Tracking Your Application

USCIS will mail a receipt notice to you once your application has been received. You may use it to check your case status online. USCIS will also notify you once your Employment Authorization Document has been received, which will permit you to begin employment.

Renewing Employment Authorization

You may submit additional applications for economic hardship employment authorization as needed. There is no limit on how long a student may receive this authorization while purusing a full course of study. Employment authorization is generally given in one-year increments.