|
You are eligible to apply
for up to 12 months of off-campus employment based on economic
hardship if you
1. are in good academic standing
2. have been in F-1 status for at least one full academic
year and have not filed for extension or transfer in the
past 12 months.
3. Are in valid status, that is,
a) your passport is valid at all times
b) the expected completion date on your I-20 has not expired
c) you have been authorized by the INS to attend WVU Tech
d) you continuously pursue a full course of study
e) you follow INS procedures for moving from one educational
level to another (e.g., from a Bachelor's to a Master's)
and for transferring from one school to another, i.e., obtaining
a new I-20 and having it properly endorsed at International
Student Services
f) you limit your total hours of on and off-campus employment
to 20 hours per week while school is in session
g) you refrain from off-campus work without authorization
4. have severe economic hardship (see below)
What is "severe economic hardship"?
Severe economic hardship is a serious shortage of money
to meet basic educational and living expenses which is
caused
by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.
These circumstances may include loss of financial aid or
on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student,
substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange
rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs,
unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's
source of support, medical bills, or other substantial
and unexpected expenses.
How
many hours per week can I work?
Employment is strictly limited to part-time, defined as
20 hours or less per week, while school is in session.
You may
work full-time between semesters when school is not in
session. On-campus employment is included in the 20-hour
total.
Where can I work?
Employment authorization based on economic hardship,
once granted, does not restrict you to a specific
job or location. You may work for as many employers as
you wish, as long as the total number of hours does not exceed
20 hours per week while school is in session. How do I apply?
1. You must attend an "Off-Campus Employment" workshop at
International Student Services. At this workshop, you will
get the appropriate application forms: Form I-538, Form
I-765, and budget sheet.
2. Make an appointment with your international student advisor
and bring the following documents to your meeting
Completed Form I-538
Completed Form I-765 (Item #16 should be completed by
filling in the parenthesis with (c)(3)(iii)."
Copy of unofficial transcript (obtained from 127 Old Main)
Passport
I-94
I-20
Supporting materials, such as affidavits which detail
the unforeseen circumstances that require you to seek
employment
authorization. In addition to an affidavit in which you
explain your situation, you should include documents which
support
your statement (newspaper articles, bank letters, medical
or hospital bills, accident records, etc.) Changes in your
finances should be related to statements in your most recent
affidavit of support or sources of funds listed on your
I-20. Although it is important that you present your case
clearly
and thoroughly, do not exaggerate your situation. False
or inaccurate statements or claims that you are extremely
poor
could damage your case.
Budget sheet, showing your expenses and source(s) of income 3. Your international student adviser will review your documentation
of financial need, compare it to the original affidavit of
support in your file or the affidavit on which your most
recent I-20 was based, sign Form I-538 and, if your application
meets regulatory criteria, he or she will recommend you for
off-campus employment for one calendar year, full-time during
vacation (if you wish) and part-time (up to 20 hours) when
school is in session.
PREPARE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO MAIL TO IMMIGRATION –
Pay close attention to which forms should be in original
version, and which should be only in photocopied version:
Originals of:
1. Two photographs of you which conform exactly to the following
instructions. The pictures must:
Have a white background
Have been taken no earlier than 30 days before you send
in your application
Be unmounted; printed on thin paper; glossy; and unretouched
Show a three-quarter front profile of the right side of
your face, with your right ear fully visible (not obstructed
by any hair). Your head should be bare unless you are wearing
a headdress as required by a religious order to which you
belong
Not be larger than 1 ½ x 1 ½ inches, with
the distance from the top of the head to just below the chin
about 1 ¼ inches
Bear your name printed LIGHTLY in PENCIL on the back of
BOTH photographs
And placed in an envelope.
Photographs ("immigration pictures") can be obtained from
a passport photographer, but are NOT the same as passport
photos.
Be sure to give this description to the photographer BEFORE
your picture is taken. 2. Form I–765 – (Be sure you have signed it.)
3. $120 check or money order written out to "Bureau of Citizenship
and Immigration Services"
4. Form I-765 Signature Card available in International Student
Services.
5. Form I-538 AFTER the international student advisor has
completed and signed it.
6. Your letter or budget form explaining your hardship.
7. All documentation supporting your explanation. Photocopies of:
1. Form I-20, front
and back, AFTER your international student advisor has noted
the recommendation for
employment.
2. Your form I-94, front and back (and any previous I-94's given you since your
last arrival in the U.S.)
3. From your passport: (1) all pages that contain biographical information; (2)
the page that has your picture; and (3)
the page containing your most recent visa.
4. Copy of your last EAD (front and back) if applicable
5. Documentation of financial hardship, such as sponsor's letter, bank and job
letters, etc. as well as previous affidavits of support on which your most recent I-20 was based.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY MAIL TO:
U.S Immigration and Naturalization Service
Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, Vermont 05479-9765 We suggest you mail the application by "certified mail,
Return receipt requested." INS will also send you a
Receipt which includes your file number and a telephone number
in case you have a question. Your EAD will be sent to the
address on your form I-765 and returned to INS if you have
moved
. IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. Your authorization is automatically terminated if you
fail to maintain valid F-1 status or if you transfer
to another degree program or school.
2. Before you begin employment, you will need a Social
Security number. Do not use the pseudo number issued
by WVU Tech for
working purposes. If you have been in status for less
than five years, you will not have to make Social Security
payments,
but you will have to pay federal and state taxes.
Note: Sample
document DO NOT print.
For Word document click
here.
International Student
Services WVU Tech.
|
