Economic Hardship

Economic hardship option can be applied to international F-1 students who are experiencing severe financial hardship while studying the U.S. These students may be able to obtain off-campus employment authorization from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under certain conditions.

New Photo Requirements for OPT & I-765 Applications

The authorization will help students with difficult situations by working a few hours off campus to boost the students' income enough to meet the expenses of students living in the US. Economic hardship employment authorizations will not able students to fund their entire expenses in the U.S. which is required to maintain F-1 student status. This should not be considered as a solution for serious financial difficulties. Students should also know that once economic hardship is approved, the second page of your I-20 will be endorsed with economic hardship employment authorization. If you need to return home and obtain a new F-1 visa, this may play a role in renewing your F-1 visa while on economic difficulties.

Requirements

  • Student must be currently enrolled full-time and have been in valid F-1 status and in good academic standing for at least one full academic year at the institution you are currently enrolled. If you are transferring from another U.S. institution, you must continue a full academic year at the new institution to qualify for economic hardship through the new institution
  • Student must be able to document circumstances which led to the economic situation were unexpected and beyond control
  • Student must be capable of continuing studies and maintain f-1 status while engaged in economic hardship work permission.
  • Working hours are the same as listed under employment - 20 hours a week while school is in session.

In order for you to apply for off campus work authorization, please review the Economic Hardship Employment Authorization Process below.

Economic Hardship Employment Authorization Process

Eligibility

  1. No other employment opportunities are sufficient or available. Students wanting to apply for off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship will need to make a good-faith effort to locate employment on campus.
  2. Severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control:
    1. Loss of on campus employment.
    2. Fluctuations in value of currency or exchange rate.
    3. Inordinate increases in tuition and/or living expenses.
    4. Unexpected changes in condition source of support.
    5. Medical bills.
    6. Other substantial unexpected expenses.
  3. F-1 status for one academic year. Cannot apply until after 2 semesters have been completed. (No exceptions.)
  4. Completed a full course of study each semester.
  5. Acceptance of employment will not interfere with full course of study.
  6. Student and DSO have an understanding that employment is unavailable or not Sufficient through on campus employment.

Procedure

  • Completed I-765
    • In item #16 on the form enter ( c )( 3 )( iii ) (This indicates to the USCIS that you are applying for Economic Hardship.)
  • Photocopy of I-94 (front and back)
  • Photocopy of last EAD (work permit) if available/applicable. Both front and back of card need to be copied.
  • Two passport sized photo’s (need to be on a white background with a picture that shows your entire face.)
  • Photocopy of New I-20 that will be generated upon completion of the process. (Pages 1&3) The Director will print a new I20 with an Economic Hardship request on it.
  • $520.00 check or money order made payable to: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or Use this form to pay with a credit card https://www.uscis.gov/g-1450.
  • Filing Fee or Fee Waiver Request (Form I-912)
    • Submit the required filing fee (refer to Filing Fees for current fee amounts) or complete Form I-912, if requesting a fee waiver.
    • For more details, visit Fee Waiver Information.
  • Supporting materials documenting the unforeseen nature of the economic hardship: List of assets, Income, Expenses

New Photo Requirements for OPT & I-765 Applications

In December 2025, U.S. immigration authorities announced new photo requirements for students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the Form I-765.

What Has Changed?

  • USCIS no longer accepts self-submitted passport-style photos for these applications.
  • In most cases, your photo must now be taken by USCIS at a biometrics appointment.
  • Previously submitted EAD photos may not be reused.

Will You Need a Biometrics Appointment?

You may be required to attend a biometrics appointment.

  • If USCIS can reuse a previous photo, you will not receive an appointment notice.
  • If a new photo is required, USCIS will schedule you for a Biometrics Services Appointment (BSA).
  • Photos must be taken by USCIS at an official Application Support Center.

Learn what to expect at your biometrics appointment.

At this time, it is unclear how USCIS chooses the appointment location. It may be based on:

  • The address listed on your I-765
  • Your address in SEVIS
  • Or your school location (for example, Minnesota State University Moorhead)

Where Will the Appointment Be?

USCIS will send you an official appointment notice with the date, time, and location.

You can view all Application Support Center locations using the USCIS ASC search tool.

Find your nearest Application Support Center (ASC) on the USCIS website.

What You Should Do

  • Submit your I-765 as instructed.
  • Check your mail and USCIS account regularly.
  • Attend your biometrics appointment if one is scheduled.
  • Do not send passport photos unless specifically instructed.

If you receive an appointment notice and have concerns about travel distance or scheduling, contact our office for guidance.

Official USCIS Policy Update (December 2025)
View the USCIS Policy Alert on Photograph Reuse (PDF)