A student in F1 status may be authorized for off-campus employment for “Severe, unforeseen economic necessity.” This form of off-campus employment must be recommended by the DSO in SEVIS and adjudicated and approved by USCIS. The application process costs $180 and can take 4-5 months.
To qualify to be apply for this sort of employment, the student must have been in F1 status for at least one full academic year and must prove to USCIS that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstance beyond his or her control that arose after obtaining F1 status.
Applications must be endorsed by and completed through ISS.