CISS

Severe Economic Hardship – USCIS Work Authorization

You may be eligible to apply for general off-campus employment authorization through USCIS if you are facing severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, such as substantial currency fluctuations, medical bills, or unexpected expenses. If granted, you are permitted to work in any occupation, regardless of relationship to major. Employment is limited to no more than 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and you may work up to 40 hours per week during annual breaks (summer, winter, and spring). Requests for this type of employment authorization must be submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Before submitting your application, the CISS office will review your case to make sure that you have substantial reasoning and proof to submit to USCIS, and will assist you in gathering documentation for your application. Applications can take several months to process and you must wait to be approved before beginning work.  To be eligible, you must:

  • Be in good academic standing and are maintaining a full course of study
  • Be able to demonstrate unforeseen economic hardship (examples include proof of  currency devaluation, loss of a family member, local crisis, etc.)
  • Be unable to find an on-campus job or practical training opportunity that meets your financial need
  • Have been in F-1 status for one full academic year
  • Be able to continue with your studies while working. Work may not interfere with course load

Please email GA_CISS@bentley.edu to determine your eligibility and learn more about the requirements for Severe Economic Hardship through USCIS.

Special Student Relief (SSR)

Special student Relief (SSR) is available to specific groups of F-1 students, as designated by the Department of Homeland Security, who are experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent conditions, such as economic crisis, civil unrest, natural disasters, or other circumstances in their country of citizenship or residence. If granted, SSR allows you to apply for work authorization through USCIS, removes certain F-1 employment restrictions and may allow you to drop below your full course of study for a temporary period. To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a citizen or resident of a designated country (see below)
  • Have been physically present in the U.S. on the effective date of the SSR designation
  • Be maintaining F-1 status at the time of designation
  • Be experiencing economic hardship due to emergent conditions in your country
  • Be enrolled in an academic program. SSR benefits end when you complete your studies, or the SSR program for the country ends, whichever comes first

SSR allows:

  • Removal of 20 hour on-campus employment restrictions for F-1 students
  • Removal of one year requirement to apply for Severe Economic Hardship (see Severe Economic Hardship section)
  • If approved for expanded work authorization or Severe Economic Hardship, eligibility for a reduced course load (less than 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates).
    • F-1 students who have already been approved  by USCIS for Severe Economic Hardship or who have been given employment authorization under Temporary Protected Status (See section on TPS), may request a reduced course load without applying for additional employment benefits. Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Temporary Protected Status, otherwise known as TPS, is a temporary immigration status provided by the U.S. government when the situation in a specific country makes it difficult or dangerous for its nationals to return.  

While the CISS cannot provide legal advice regarding TPS nor aid in the application process, we can provide some general information and guidance about TPS' impact on your F-1/J-1 visa. Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu for more information.

The below resources also provide "pro-bono" free legal assistance if you would like to learn more about the TPS process.