If you discover that you have exhausted
all other options and you still find yourself facing true
financial distress, you may be eligible for an Employment
Authorization Document (EAD). Under current immigration laws,
however, there are several, rather difficult, eligibility
requirements that must first be met. Before anything else, you
will need proof that the economic hardships that you are facing
are both unforeseen and beyond your control. This means that,
once here in the US, you have had a loss of financial aid,
there has been a sudden rise in tuition or living expenses, a
loss of financial support from sources in your home country,
unforeseen medical bills or other, unexpected, costs. According
to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, “a number
of Asian countries are experiencing an extreme economic crisis
as a result of a sharp drop in their value of
currencies.” These countries include South Korea, the
Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. If you are a
full time F1 student, have been in the US, studying, for one
full academic year, in good standing, and from one of the above
mentioned countries or; you are from another country but can
provide compelling proof that you are facing an unforeseen
financial situation that is causing an economic hardship, it is
worth applying for an EAD.
The application procedure requires a lot
of material collection; photographs, letters of support,
photocopies etc. and forms. It is best to meet with your
international student advisor who should be able to help you
with eligibility requirements and ensure that you obtain and
complete the correct forms. Once you have completed your
application envelope, you should have:
• A letter, written by you, to
USCIS. This should include a valid explanation of your
circumstances leading to your request for an EAD.
• Evidence of circumstances. These
can take the form of copies of bills, exchange rate data,
letters’ confirming loss of financial aid
• A completed USCIS form. Ask your
advisor if you have any questions.
• A personal check or money order in
the amount of $180 made out to USCIS. Please note if you have
not yet had your fingerprints taken for previous
immigration/visa purposes, an additional $70 will be needed for
biometrics.
• Two identical passport
photographs, in color.
• SEVIS I-20 Form. You can get this
form from your advisor.
• Photocopies of all previous I-20s
• Photocopy (front and back) of your
I-94 card.
• Photocopy of passport information
page.
• Photocopy of page your visa is
stamped on.
Once your completed application has been
received, the USCIS will send you a receipt along with their
final decision. If the USCIS has decided in your favor, you
will receive your EAD in approximately four to five months.
Even if approved, you cannot work until you receive your EAD.
With your EAD in hand you will be allowed to work, off campus,
for no more than twenty hours per week during semester time and
full time on holidays and during vacations. Employment
Authorization Documents for Economic Hardship are usually
issued for a period of twelve months at a time. If you find
that you are still in a position of economic hardship and
nearing the expiration of working rights, you will need to
reapply for a new one.
—Kathryn Patten
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