J-1 Work Permission due to Economic Necessity

You must meet with your ISSO advisor in an appointment in order to receive authorization to work off-campus due to economic necessity. Please prepare and bring the following items to your appointment:

✓   Personal Letter – You must explain the circumstances of your financial hardship and how they were unforeseen and beyond your control.
✓   Supporting Documentation – This is necessary to prove the existence of your hardship and how it was unforeseen. Some examples include a signed affidavit from sponsor(s) explaining why they can no longer provide financial support, your current budget, recent newspaper articles, medical bills, recent exchange rate reports, etc.
✓   Current Form DS-2019 and any previous DS-2019s.
✓   Passport and Form I-94 – Please bring originals to your ISSO appointment

ISSO Authorization

Once your application is approved, the ISSO will give you a letter authorizing off-campus employment due to economic necessity. It is illegal to begin employment before you receive authorization from the ISSO. Once authorized, you may work off-campus only within the dates specified in the letter, and you must abide by the hourly restrictions while school is in session.

Renewing Work Authorization

In order to renew this work authorization, you must follow the procedures above and demonstrate continued hardship. Authorization cannot extend beyond your program of study.