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In most cases, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) may be a sufficient source for F-1 students to pursue off-campus opportunities during their academic programs. However, there are two additional types of employment authorization that students can apply for in very specific, relatively rare circumstances. Details about these types of authorizations are below:

Employment with International Organizations
Severe Economic Hardship

Employment with International Organizations

In certain cases, F-1 students may be eligible to request employment authorization to engage in an internship/employment with certain international organizations listed in the International Organization Immunities Act [59 Stat. 669]. This category of employment authorization applies only to positions with one of these organizations. Click here for a list of eligible international organizations.

This type of employment authorization application is submitted through USCIS and once approved, is documented on an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). With this type of employment authorization, students can work part-time (20 hours/week or less) during the school year and full-time during official breaks. The authorization is valid for a maximum of 1 calendar year. To renew the employment authorization, a new application must be filed. This type of authorization cannot extend beyond your I-20 program end date and cannot be transferred to a new school or academic program.

If you are approved based on employment with an international organization, the work you perform under that category does not need to be related to your academic program of study. This type of work authorization also does not impact your eligibility for OPT. Please see below for eligibility criteria and application procedures.

Student Eligibility Requirements

When applying for employment authorization based on employment with an international organization, students should meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • The student is eligible to apply right away after he/she is in F-1 status and before completion of the degree program. There is no academic year waiting period required.
  • The employment or internship must be with one of organizations on the approved list. A written offer letter or a contract with details of employment/internship printed on a letterhead is required.
  • The student must maintain lawful F-1 status including enrolling in a full course load each semester. The student must be in good academic standing.
Documentation and Application Process

You must obtain I-20 with OIS recommendation for employment with International Organizations prior to submitting your application to USICS. Contact OIS for further details or questions.

Prepare and submit all the following documents to USCIS. Please note, online filing is NOT available for applications based on employment with an international organization; the documents must be printed and mailed to USCIS.

  • Form I-765 completed and signed by the student.
    • The appropriate Eligibility Category is (C)(3)(ii)
    • Ensure that the mailing address you list on the I-765 is one where you can receive mail for at least the next 6 months
    • This form must be printed (single-sided) and signed in black ink in the appropriate location
  • Filing fee (current fee amount is listed on the Form I-765 webpage above) – a check or money order made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” (to view a sample check please search the USCIS website for “Paying Immigration Fees” or click here)
  • Form G-1145, for email notification that your application has been received
  • 2 Passport-style photographs that meet USCIS specifications found on Form I-765 instructions. You will need to write your full name and SEVIS ID number on the back of each photo
  • Copy of your current Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
  • Copy of pages 1 and 2 of  I-20 with employment endorsement (endorsement can be found on page 2 and is issued specifically for this application)
  • Copy of your current unexpired passport ID page
  • Copy of your current F-1 visa stamp (Citizens of Bermuda and Canadians are exempt from this requirement)
  • A copy of a written offer letter or a contract with details of employment/internship printed on a letterhead from a qualified international organization

Mail your application to the appropriate USCIS office based upon the address you used the I-765. Use a courier service with tracking to confirm delivery. You are advised to make a copy or scan of your entire application for your records prior to mailing it to USCIS. 

Approximately 2-3 weeks after submitting your employment application to USCIS, you will receive a text message or email containing your receipt number. With this number you can track your case online at uscis.gov. Usually, 30 days after the text message or email, you will be mailed the I-797 (a paper receipt notice). If you do not receive the I-797 by the date listed on the case tracker website, contact USCIS customer service. When you receive the I-797, it is important that you check the spelling of your name to make sure there are no errors. If you find an error, contact USCIS at the phone number provided on the notice.

You may begin working only once you have the EAD card and the start date on the EAD card has been reached.

Severe Economic Hardship

Off-campus employment authorization may be available to students experiencing severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control, in rare cases where other employment opportunities are unavailable or are insufficient. F-1 students may be able to apply for additional, part-time off-campus employment authorization to help mitigate the effects of this economic hardship.

This type of employment authorization application is submitted through USCIS and once approved, is documented on an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The authorization is part-time (20 hours/week or less) and valid for a maximum of 1 calendar year. To renew the employment authorization, a new application must be filed. This type of authorization cannot extend beyond your I-20 program end date and cannot be transferred to a new school or academic program.

If you are approved based on severe economic hardship, the work you perform under that category does not need to be related to your academic program of study. This type of employment authorization also does not impact your eligibility for OPT.

Students in F-1 status can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during academic terms and more than 20 hours/week during school breaks without any prior authorization. If you are looking for an off-campus position that is integral to your degree program, CPT may be more applicable. To discuss types of employment authorizations available to you, contact OIS.

Student Eligibility and Requirements

A student is eligible to apply to USCIS for a employment authorization based on severe economic hardship when they meet the following criteria:

  • has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year
  • is full-time enrolled and in good academic standing
  • is able to demonstrate/document the following:
    • that additional employment authorization is necessary due to severe economic hardship, caused by circumstances beyond the student’s control, which arose after the student gained F-1 status. These circumstances may include:
      • loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student
      • substantial fluctuations in the value of the currency or exchange rate
      • inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs
      • unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support
      • medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses
    • that on-campus employment is unavailable or otherwise insufficient to meet the needs of these circumstances
    • that acceptance of additional employment will not interfere with the student’s full-time study
Documentation and Application Process

You must obtain I-20 with OIS recommendation for economic hardship prior to submitting your application to USICS. Contact OIS for further details or questions.

Prepare and submit all the following documents to USCIS. Please note online filing is NOT available for applications based on economic hardship; the documents must be printed and mailed to USCIS.

  • Form I-765 completed and signed by the student.
    • The appropriate Eligibility Category is (C)(3)(iii)
    • Ensure that the mailing address you list on the I-765 is one where you can receive mail for at least the next 6 months
    • This form must be printed (single-sided) and signed in black ink in the appropriate location
  • Filing fee (current fee amount is listed on the Form I-765 webpage above) – a check or money order made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” (to view a sample check please search the USCIS website for “Paying Immigration Fees” or click here)
  • Form G-1145, for email notification that your application has been received
  • 2 Passport-style photographs that meet USCIS specifications found on Form I-765 instructions. You will need to write your full name and SEVIS ID number on the back of each photo
  • Copy of your current Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
  • Copy of pages 1 and 2 of I-20 with employment endorsement (endorsement can be found on page 2 and is issued specifically for this application)
  • Copy of your current unexpired passport ID page
  • Copy of your current F-1 visa stamp (Citizens of Bermuda and Canadians are exempt from this requirement)
  • Required documentation about the circumstances that led to the economic hardship (see the eligibility criteria above)

Mail your application to the appropriate USCIS office based upon the address you used the I-765. Use a courier service with tracking to confirm delivery. You are advised to make a copy or scan of your entire application for your records prior to mailing it to USCIS. 

Approximately 2-3 weeks after submitting your employment application to USCIS, you will receive a text message or email containing your receipt number. With this number you can track your case online at uscis.gov. Usually, 30 days after the text message or email, you will be mailed the I-797 (a paper receipt notice). If you do not receive the I-797 by the date listed on the case tracker website, contact USCIS customer service. When you receive the I-797, it is important that you check the spelling of your name to make sure there are no errors. If you find an error, contact USCIS at the phone number provided on the notice.

You may begin working only once you have the EAD card and the start date on the EAD card has been reached.