Off-Campus Employment
High Point University > Global Education > Immigration Matters > Working in the United States > Off-Campus Employment

Off-Campus Employment

Off-campus employment is work that that takes place outside of the school’s campus. Generally speaking, off-campus work is not permitted while in the United States on F-1 active status. Three exceptions exist for F-1 students who are:

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) defines “severe economic hardship” as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control that make it difficult for a student to continue education in the United States.

These financial conditions may include:

  • Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of the student.
  • Substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of the currency upon which the student depends.
  • Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs.
  • Unexpected changes in the financial state of the student’s source of support.
  • Medical bills.
  • Other substantial and unexpected expenses.

To qualify for off-campus employment, the student must be able to demonstrate why on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet the student’s financial needs, which arise from unexpected circumstances. Read more from the Department of Homeland Security’s emergent circumstances.

See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C) – Severe economic hardship for regulatory information. 

In special global circumstances (e.g., famine, war, economic downturn, etc.) the U.S. government may allow students from affected countries temporary special benefits. This practice is called Special Student Relief (SSR). One of the SSR benefits is to apply for off-campus employment. In these cases, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a notice in the Federal Register that gives timelines and details of the benefits.

Students who are offered an internship with an international organization may be eligible for an employment benefit. The internship must:

  • Be in the United States.
  • Be with a public international organization that falls within the International Organization Immunities Act, as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 288 59 Stat. 669.

See 8 CFR 316.20(c) – International Organizations Immunities Act designations for a listing of qualifying organizations.

See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(iii)– Internship with an international organization for regulatory information.

In order to be authorized for any of these three exceptions, students must be recommended by their P/DSO through SEVIS and then they must complete and submit the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Final approval will come from USCIS, along with your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Important Note: Employment cannot begin until all approvals have been provided and employment documents are received.