Off-Campus Employment

Regulation that defines off-campus employment for F-1 students is in 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(9)(ii). Generally, Off-Campus Employment is work that is for economic need and does not necessarily have to relate to the student’s academic course of study.

Types of Off-Campus Employment

1. Severe Economic Hardship. This is defined as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control that makes it difficult for a student to continue their education in the U.S. According to SEVIS, examples of these circumstances 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
  • In ordinate 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
  • Note: Student must demonstrate that other employment opportunities, such as On-Campus, are not available or are otherwise insufficient.

Instructions to apply for Severe Economic Hardship Off-Campus employment authorization.

2. Special Student Relief (SSR) due to emergent circumstances. Under emergent circumstances, the U.S. government may suspend some requirements for affected F-1 students. In such cases as SSR, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would issue a notice in the Federal Register to detail eligibility.

Instructions to apply for Special Student Relief (SSR) Off-Campus employment authorization.

3. Internship with an International Organization. Students who are offered an internship with a qualifying international organization may be eligible for an employment benefit provided that the internship is (1) in the U.S. and (2) with a public international organization that falls within the International Organization Immunities Act, as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 288 59 Stat. 669.

Eligibility

Generally, a student must complete two full-time, consecutive semesters in the U.S. in F-1 status before being eligible to work Off-Campus. Exceptions are possible for emergent circumstances (SSR), as noted by DHS in any published notification.

Application

To request an Off-Campus employment recommendation on your I-20, students need to:

  1. Submit a completed Off-Campus Employment request through the ISSS portal, Tab 4 “Initiate & Manage Requests.”
  2. Allow up to 10 business days for ISSS to review your request. If we have questions or need more information, we will email your Marymount student account. If you have questions, contact ISSS.
  3. Once issued an I-20 with Off-Campus employment recommended, print and hand sign the updated I-20. (Note: the Remarks section will include statement of student’s eligibility.)

The student is responsible for preparing an I-765 application and submitting all application materials to USCIS.

DO NOT WORK OFF-CAMPUS without prior written confirmation of USCIS authorization. Unauthorized employment is a non-reinstatable offense. Note: ISSS recommendation or statement of eligibility on an I-20 is not authorization to work Off-Campus.

Hours Permitted

F-1 students may not work more than 20 hours per week, except during official school breaks, such as summer break, winter break, and spring break.  During school breaks, you may work more than 20 hours per week.

There is an exception for students who are participating in an internship with a qualifying International Organization. These students may work full-time while school is in session; however, it is required that these students also maintain a full course of study.

Duration

Off-Campus employment authorization ends one (1) year after issuance by USCIS or upon completion of the student’s program, whichever comes first, and unless otherwise stipulated. To extend Off-Campus employment authorization, the student would need to submit another application to USCIS.

 

 

09/30/2024