Omaha, Nebraska 68182-0259
Phone: (402) 554-2293
Email:
International Studies and Programs
Work Authorization
For Severe Economic Hardship
(Offline (paper) I-765 application process)
Important: If you have severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond your
control that arose after starting F-1 status, you may apply for work
authorization 9 months after beginning full-time studies as an F-1 visa holder
at UNO. To determine if you are eligible for work authorization, provide an
international student advisor in ASH 241 a letter explaining your financial
circumstances of hardship, a letter from your sponsor explaining his/her
financial situation and any proof of the hardship that you can provide. After
receiving approval to apply for work authorization, follow these steps.
1) Complete the Form I-765.
2) Obtain a cashiers check, money order, or write a personal check for $380
made payable to “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).”
3) Get two pictures taken (see specifications on page 3).
4) Make an appointment with an international student advisor by calling 554-
2293. Bring all required documentation to your appointment.
5) Receive the SEVIS Form I-20 giving recommendation for economic hardship
employment from an international student advisor in ASH 241.
6) Our office will send the required documentation to USCIS for you.
PG. 1 INTERNATIONAL STUDIES & PROGRAMS – ASH 241 REVISED 01/07/11
Required documentation with each application:
A letter from you explaining your financial circumstances of hardship, also
noting the unforeseen nature of the situation
A letter or fax from your sponsor explaining his or her financial situation
A letter from you explaining your financial circumstances of hardship, also
noting the unforeseen nature of the situation
$380.00 – Fee can be paid by a cashiers check, money order, or a personal check
made payable to “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)."
A copy of your SEVIS I-20 updated by an international student advisor
recommending employment due to economic hardship. Copies of your previous
I-20s may also be required.
Form I-765
A copy of your I-94 Departure Record (front and back)
A copy of the U.S. visa in your passport
A copy of the ID page in your passport
A copy of the previously issued Employment Authorization card (EAD) if
applicable (front and back)
An optional letter from an international student advisor affirming financial
circumstances of hardship
Important Information to know:
¾ It takes several weeks or even months to receive your EAD (Employment
Authorization Document) from the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services) if your request is granted.
¾ You may not work off campus without an EAD card with work
authorization.
¾ Work authorization ends when a student completes his program or transfers
to another school.
¾ After receiving your EAD card, you may work 20 hours a week while school
is in session and full-time during official school breaks (winter & summer
breaks).
PG. 2 INTERNATIONAL STUDIES & PROGRAMS – ASH 241 REVISED 01/07/11
Ideal si ze, background, a nd po se - th e imag e
should follow the U.S. Pa ssport and U.S. Visa
Photography Guid
e avail able on thi s website:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index
.html .
PHOTOS
Photos should be i n the standard passport size 2 X 2 inches and the standard, full frontal face
position taken from slightly above the top of the hair to the middle of the chest. Photos should be
in colo r with a white backgroun d; taken within the past 30 day s; unmou nted; printed on thin
paper; glossy; and unretouched. Your head should be bare unless you are wearing a headdress
as required by a religious order to which you belong. Lightly print your family name on the back
of each photo in pencil. Photos are available i n th
e Eppley Administration Building - call 554-3536 for
an appointment.
PG. 3 INTERNATIONAL STUDIES & PROGRAMS – ASH 241 REVISED 01/07/11
Sample Letter
This is a sample letter to obtain permission to work because of economic necessity. You must
write your own letter. This letter will give you a general idea of what informatio
n should be
included in your letter. Keep a copy of your letter in case it is lost and you need to request a
replacement.
Your sponsor must also write a letter explaining the change in his
o
r her financial circu
m
stances.
If he/she can
not write in English, a foreign language translation is acceptable. A
faxed copy
is
acceptable.
EXAMPLE
T
oda
y'
s Date:
To Whom It May Concern:
I hold an F-1
visa, and I am required by financial necessity
to request per
m
issi
on to work off
cam
pus. As indicated on my I-20, I am supported by (fill in your support as indicated in #8 on
your I-20).
(In this paragraph, you must explain what has happened to cause you to have a change in
financial support. Devaluation of your country's currency is a legitimate reason, but you must
show how this affects your personal situation. If there are several reasons, give them all but
NEVER declare that you have no support whatsoever).
The following lists my assets, income, and expenses: (You m
u
st honestly
estim
at
e your own
assets, income, and expenses. Do not use the numbers in this sample letter.)
Assets/Income: $6,000 in bank accounts
$6,000 from my parents
$2,000 from my brother
Total: $14,000
Expenses: $13,916 for tuition, fees, & health insurance
$7,270 for room and board
$ 900 for books and supplies
$21,150 for personal expenses
Total: $24,196 (be sure your total equals the amount listed on your I-20)
I very much want to complete my studies here at the
University
of
Nebraska. I a
ppreciate your
consideration of my request.
Sincerely,
(your name)
PG. 4 INTERNATIONAL STUDIES & PROGRAMS – ASH 241 REVISED 01/07/11
