Off-campus employment is a benefit available for some F-1 students who are:

• Experiencing an economic hardship.
• Seeking special student relief due to emergent circumstances.
• Participating in an internship with an international organization.

A designated school official (DSO) must verify that the student qualifies for off-campus employment by entering the employment information in SEVIS.

The student must then file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Severe Economic Hardship

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) defines “severe economic hardship” as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control that make it difficult for a student to continue education in the United States.

These financial conditions may include:

• Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of the student.
• Substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of the currency upon which the student depends.
• Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs.
• Unexpected changes in the financial state of the student’s source of support.
• Medical bills.
• Other substantial and unexpected expenses.

To qualify for off-campus employment, the student must be able to demonstrate why on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet the student’s financial needs, which arise from unexpected circumstances.

Special Student Relief Due to Emergent Circumstances

In special global circumstances (e.g., famine, war, economic downturn, etc.) the U.S. government may allow students from affected countries temporary special benefits. This practice is called Special Student Relief (SSR). One of the SSR benefits is to apply for off-campus employment. In these cases, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a notice in the Federal Register that gives timelines and details of the benefits.

Internship with an International Organization

Students who are offered an internship with an international organization may be eligible for an employment benefit. The internship must:

• Be in the United States.
• Be with a public international organization that falls within the International Organization Immunities Act, as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 288 59 Stat. 669.

1. Go to the Student Information Page.

2.   Click Off-Campus Employment under the Employment/Training section. The Off-Campus Employment page opens.

3. Click New Off-Campus Employment. The Add Off-Campus Employment page opens.

4. Enter the following information in the Add Off-Campus Employment fields:
   • Employment Start Date
   • Employment End Date
   • Off-Campus Employment Type: Click drop-down arrow to select type:
     • Economic Hardship.
     • International Organization [Internship].
     • Special Student Relief [due to emergent circumstances.
   • Recommendation: Text is visible in SEVIS student record for certain government users.
   • Student Remarks: Text prints on the Form I-20, Page 1 in the Remarks field.
5. Click Add Employment. An Update Successful confirmation page opens.

6. Click either:

• Return to Employment List: Returns the user to the Off-Campus Employment page without printing the Form I-20.
• Print I-20: Prints the Form I-20 with the DSO’s employment recommendation.

To edit a request for employment:

1. Go to the Off-Campus Employment page.

2.  Click Edit next to the record you want to change. The Edit Off-Campus Employment page opens.

3. Edit the following information, if needed:
   • Employment Start Date
   • Employment End Date
   • Off-Campus Employment Type: Click drop-down arrow to select type:
     • Economic Hardship.
     • International Organization [Internship].
     • Special Student Relief [due to emergent circumstances].
   • Recommendation: Text is visible in SEVIS student record for certain government users.
   • Student Remarks: Text prints on the Form I-20, Page 1 in the Remarks field.
4.   Click Update Employment. An Update Successful confirmation page opens.

5. Click either:
   • Return to Employment List: Returns the user to the Off-Campus Employment page without printing the Form I-20.
   • Print I-20: Prints the Form I-20 with the DSO’s employment recommendation.

To cancel a request:

1. Go to the Off-Campus Employment page.

2. Click Cancel Request next to the record you want to cancel. A Confirm Cancelation of Request message opens.

3. Click either:

• Yes: Cancels the off-campus employment request. Update Successful message opens.
• No: Returns to the Off-Campus Employment page.

Sometimes SEVIS displays an incorrect status of benefit requests; for example, a request may be listed as Pending, instead of Approved.