Occasionally, economic situations can arise that make it necessary for you to work. You may be able to apply for off-campus work authorization based on economic necessity you can prove that the economic hardship was caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control and that the situation arose after F-1 status was obtained (i.e., death of a parent, parent's income greatly reduced because of business losses or natural disasters, etc.).
To be eligible for this employment, you must be in good standing as a student, carrying a full course of study and can demonstrate that employment will not interfere with your ability to continue to carry a full course of study.
Should a situation arise in which you feel you need to apply for employment based on severe economic hardship, you should schedule an appointment to discuss this option with your international student advisor who will make a preliminary determination regarding the feasibility of submitting the application to USCIS.
F-1 Students
You must have been in F-1 status for one full academic year. USCIS must approve this type of employment before you can begin work. Like on campus employment, it is limited to 20 hours a week while school is in session. Employment authorization would be valid for any employer doing any job. It does not need to relate to your course of study. It does not count towards the 20-hour on-campus maximum and does not affect your eligibility for practical training. It must be renewed annually.
Since USCIS must approve this form of employment authorization, it is important to apply for this type of financial relief as early as possible. This is especially important since it may take several months for USCIS to adjudicate this application.
J-1 Students
The university's Responsible Officer in the Office of International Services (OIS) reviews your case and grants written work authorization after determining your eligibility. The Responsible Officer must authorize in writing any employment for the specific employer before the employment occurs.