Severe economic hardship is a form of employment authorization that allows F-1 students to work off-campus. If granted, the authorization will be granted in increments of one year. An F-1 student must prove to the USCIS that off-campus employment is necessary due to circumstances beyond his or her control that arose after obtaining F-1 status. Examples include a natural disaster, currency devaluation or change in family circumstance.
Authorization is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and can be full time during official school breaks. An offer of employment is not required to apply, nor does the employment need to relate to the student's program of study.