In order to be eligible for off-campus employment, you must:

• be in lawful, full-time F-1 status.
• You need to have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year.
• You must be in good academic standing, with at least a 2.0 grade point average.
• You need to show proof of economic hardship.  Proof must consist of: a loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on your part; substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate; inordinate increases in tuition and/or living expenses; unexpected changes in the financial condition of your sponsor; medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.

Limitations to off-campus employment

Employment is limited to 20 hours a week when school is in session.  You may work full time between semesters and during your vacation period.

You may only work during the time indicated on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) issued by the Immigration Service.  If you graduate before your work authorization expires, you are no longer eligible to work.  If during your work authorization you are not in lawful, full-time status, you are no longer eligible to work.

If you transfer schools, your employment authorization is cancelled and you must reapply for permission to work.

Application Procedure

1. Show proof that the jobs available on campus won't meet your financial need.
2. Fill out form I-538 (available from the International Center).
3. Fill out form I-765 (available from the International Center).
   On #16 write "(c) (3) (iii)."
4. Bring your I-20 to the International Center.
5. Bring a current University of Utah transcript (from the Registrar's Office) to the International Center.
6. Bring proof of your financial need to the International Center.

If you are in lawful F-1 status, have proof that on-campus jobs are not adequate, and proof of your economic need, the International Center will sign your I-538 form.

Authorization by the Immigration Service

Send the following items to the Immigration Service in the following order to have an EAD card issued:

1. A check or money order for $70 made out to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
2. Your I-765 form.
3. Your signature card.  Sign the card in the signature space.  Don't do anything in the box that says "place print here."
4. A photocopy of both side of your I-94 card.
5. A photocopy of both sides of your EAD card if you already have one.
6. Two photos of yourself with your name printed lightly in pencil on the back of them.  See page four of the I-765 instructions for details (a sample page is included).  Enclose the photos in an envelope.
7. A copy of the photo page in your passport so the Immigration officials can see that the photos you enclosed are of you.  Hopefully by doing this the Immigration Service will mail your EAD card directly to you.  If not, they will send it to a local Immigration Service where you will have to go and pick it up.
8. A photocopy of both sides of your I-538 form.
9. A photocopy of both sides of your I-20 and photocopies of all former INS stamped I-20's
10. Proof of financial need.  Detail the unforeseen economic circumstances.  Provide as much proof as possible to verify the unforeseen economic necessity.  Also list assets, income, and expenses.

Mail your papers to the Immigration Service within 30 days after the International Center signs your I-538 form.  Send your papers to:

INS Service Center
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501-7765

If the Immigration Service approves your work authorization, they will issue an EAD card to you.  If your request is denied, it is not possible to appeal the decision.  Employment will be granted in one year intervals up to your expected graduation date.  Employment authorization will only be renewed by the Immigration Service if you are in full-time status and in good academic standing.  If you fail to maintain full-time status, the employment authorization is automatically terminated and you will need to apply for reinstatement to F-1 status.  If your F-1 status is reinstated, you will need to re-apply for employment authorization.

It is your responsibility to comply with all Immigration regulations which apply to F-1 students.