• Complete Online Employment session by logging on to: www.miami.edu/employmentsession. Also, read the handout on Employment Authorization based on Severe Economic Hardship which you will find in the Online Employment Session.

• Print the Completion Certificate to be handed in when you submit your application for Employment Authorization based on Severe Economic Hardship to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Students who have applied for off-campus employment in the past will still need to go to the Online Employment Session to download Form I-765. You can also obtain Form I-765 at ISSS.

• Obtain two color photographs on white background. The photographs must be U.S. passport size. See the photo instructions attached to Form I-765, or visit www.travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.html

• Purchase a money order for $340.00, made payable to the Department of Homeland Security. Money Orders can be purchased at U.S. Post Offices, Publix supermarkets and banks.

• Prepare a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) detailing the unforeseen circumstances that require you to seek employment authorization based on severe economic hardship. Include a budget showing your expenses and sources of financial support.

• Bring the following documents to ISSS:

• Passport (must be valid for at least another six months).
• All previous and current Forms I-20.
• Form I-94.
• Completed Form I-765.
• Two color photos on white background conforming to the Form I-765 photo instructions.
• Money order in the amount of $340.00.
• Letter to CIS explaining request for employment authorization, as mentioned above.
• Evidence of severe economic hardship.
• Completion Certificate for Online Employment Session.

• Please allow five business days for processing of your request for Employment Authorization based on Severe Economic Hardship. If your ISSS advisor deems your application acceptable, she will issue a new Form I-20 stating your requested employment authorization on page 3 and will submit the documents for your application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). CIS takes at least three to four months to adjudicate an application for an Employment Authorization Document based on Severe Economic Hardship.

• ISSS will notify you once the receipt notice for your EAD application has arrived so that you can collect the receipt notice. The receipt notice includes your application receipt number on the upper left side of the page. To check the status of your application, please go to www.uscis.gov and click on Case Status Online on the left side of the screen. Click on Finding the Status of Your Case and type in your application receipt number to find out the status of your application.

• ISSS will subsequently notify you once CIS has sent a decision regarding your application for Employment Authorization based on Severe Economic Hardship. If CIS does not approve your application, ISSS will contact you to collect the rejection letter. If CIS approved your application, ISSS will contact you to collect the your EAD along with a new Form I-20 showing your approved employment authorization on page 3. Please note that you cannot begin your employment until you receive your EAD and until the approved start date shown on the EAD has arrived. Starting your employment before you receive your EAD and before the approved employment start date shown on the EAD is illegal and a violation of your F-1 status.

• Please e-mail your ISSS advisor if you have any questions regarding Employment Authorization based on Severe Economic Hardship.