Off-Campus Employment for F-1 Students: Guidance for Designated School Officials

Application Process

2.1. How does the application process for off-campus employment start?

2.2. What is the process for approving off-campus employment in SEVIS?

2.3. What do F 1 students do after you give them a Form I-20 endorsing their application for off-campus employment?

2.4. How do I use SEVIS to indicate a request for off-campus employment based on emergent circumstances??

2.5. Do I need to submit a Form I-538 for off-campus employment authorization?

2.6. Can I cancel my recommendation for off-campus employment?

2.7. How is an application for off-campus employment decided?

2.8. How can F 1 students find out the status of their employment authorization applications?

2.9. What happens if an employment authorization application is approved?

2.10. What happens if an employment authorization application is denied?

2.11. Can denial of an application for off-campus employment be appealed?

2.12. What if an F 1 student cannot afford the application fee?



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2.1. How does the application process for off-campus employment start?

The process starts when an F 1 student asks your permission to be employed in an off-campus job. After you determine if you should make the recommendation, enter it into SEVIS. Print the supporting Form I-20, sign pages 1 and 3, and give it to the student.

We recommend that you help the student ensure that the supporting evidence for the Form I-765 application clearly shows eligibility.

2.2. What is the process for approving off-campus employment in SEVIS?

See the User Manual for School Users of SEVIS Volume II Form I-20 for detailed instructions.

2.3. What do F 1 students do after you give them a Form I-20 endorsing their application for off-campus employment?

The students will need to file a Form I-765 with USCIS. See the USCIS website for the form and filing information. They will have to pay a fee to USCIS. Electronic filing is available.

Make sure the students read the form carefully and follow the directions. However, do not file the Form I-538 – this is a pre-SEVIS process that is no longer required.

As part of the supporting evidence, the F 1 students will need to include your specially endorsed Form I-20 signed on pages 1 and 3.

2.4. How do I use SEVIS to indicate a request for off-campus employment based on emergent circumstances?

When you are using emergent circumstances as the basis for your recommendation for off-campus employment, select Special Student Relief from the off-campus employment types in SEVIS.

2.5. Do I need to submit a Form I-538 for off-campus employment authorization?

No. SEVIS replaced the need to use the Form I-538. Some forms and portions of the 8 CFR still refer to the Form I-538, but it is not needed for any purpose. For the same reason, you do not need to send any documents to ACS in London, KY.

2.6. Can I cancel my recommendation for off-campus employment?

Yes. You have the option in SEVIS – see the User Manual for School Users of SEVIS Volume II Form I-20.

2.7. How is an application for off-campus employment decided?

The only bases for granting work authorization for off-campus employment are economic hardship or emergent circumstances. The Service Center will base their decision on the information in the:

• Form I–20
• Form I–765
• Additional supporting materials
• The Federal Register notice governing emergent circumstances, if applicable

2.8. How can F 1 students find out the status of their employment authorization applications?

They can check online at https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp using their application receipt number.

2.9. What happens if an employment authorization application is approved?

If USCIS approves an F 1 student’s employment authorization application, they will send the student an EAD card and a letter notifying the student of their decision. In addition, the student’s SEVIS record will be automatically updated to show that off-campus employment is approved.

2.10. What happens if an employment authorization application is denied?

If USCIS denies an employment authorization application for off-campus employment, they will send the F 1 student a denial letter giving the reason(s) for the denial.

2.11. Can denial of an application for off-campus employment be appealed?

No. If an employment authorization application is denied, the F 1 student will get a letter that explains the decision. They can file a motion with the same office to reopen or to reconsider the decision. They must file by the deadline given in the letter.

By filing a motion, the F 1 student is asking the office to reexamine or reconsider its decision.

• A Motion to Reopen must state any new facts that would support the motion. The F 1 student may be required to submit affidavits or other documentary evidence in support of these new facts.
• A Motion to Reconsider must establish that the decision was based on an incorrect application of law or immigration policy, and further establish that the decision was incorrect based on the evidence in the file at the time the decision was made. Move these to glossary.

For information on how to file a motion to reopen or to reconsider see the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov

2.12. What if an F 1 student cannot afford the application fee?

F 1 students can apply to have the fee waived. For information see the USCIS website.