How to Apply

Step 1) Make an appointment to meet with Student Services to discuss your financial situation.

After you have met with Student Services and have been given preliminary approval to begin the application process, you can move on to step 2.

Step 2) Request supporting documentation from WUST

Submit an I-20 request form in order to receive an I-20 with a DSO recommendation for severe economic hardship on it. Under “reason for I-20 request,” select “Severe Economic Hardship Application.” You must meet with a Student Services advisor BEFORE requesting an I-20, or the request will be denied.

Submit a Student Verification Letter request form. In the box labeled “purpose of verification letter,” note the letter is for your Severe Economic Hardship application. This letter will serve as evidence that you have been in valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year, are a student in good standing, and are enrolled in a full course of study.

**I-20 and student verification letter requests may take 3-5 business days for processing.

Step 3) Fill out the Form I-821

Fill out Form I-821 to file for employment authorization. Read the instructions sheet before filling out the form.

Step 4) Fill out the Form I-765

Fill out Form I-765 to file for employment authorization. Read the instructions sheet before filling out the form.

On Part 2 of the form, you must enter the correct eligibility category. Write (c)(19) if you are applying for Special Student Relief for the first time. Write (a)(12) if you have previously been approved by USCIS and are applying for re-registration.

Do NOT forget to sign the form! USCIS will deny any application that has not been signed by the student.

Step 5) Gather your required documents

You must submit ALL of the required documentation at the same time. You cannot add documents to your application once you have submitted the application to USCIS. If proper documentation and evidence is missing, your application may be denied.

You will need:

• Student Verification Letter
• Form I-20 with a DSO’s recommendation for economic hardship employment
• Form I-765
• Form I-821
• A letter written by you explaining that:
• employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship
• that the hardship is a direct result of the crisis in the specified country
• Any evidence you can provide to support the information in your letter
• Evidence that you reside in the United States (this can include employment records, rent receipts, utility bills, school records, hospital or medical records, U.S. Social Security card, automobile license receipts, vehicle registration and title, insurance policies, etc.)
• Two U.S. passport-style photos
• Fingerprints and digital signature
• Most recent I-94 record (arrival and departure record)
• Photocopy of your passport identification page
• Photocopy of your visa page
• Filing fee for Form I-765 ($410)
• Application fee for Form I-821 ($50)
• Biometric services fee for Form I-821 ($85)

You can pay the fees ($545 total) by money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Any student who is unable to pay the fee may submit the Form I-912 Request for Fee Waiver along with their Form I-765. Submission of the Form I-912 must include an explanation about why USCIS should grant the fee waiver and the reason(s) for the inability to pay, and any evidence to support the reason(s).

Step 6) Submit your application to USCIS

Once you have all of the documentation required, you can submit your application to USCIS. Unfortunately, USCIS does not allow online applications for Special Student Relief for some countries. You might have to apply by mail. Review the USCIS mailing instructions to find the correct filing location. This information varies by country, so be sure to check the USCIS website for the most accurate information for your country.

If you are applying by mail, you must write “SPECIAL STUDENT RELIEF” on the bottom right-hand side of the envelope. Failure to do so may result in significant processing delays.

Application processing times vary between two to four months. If your application is approved, USCIS will mail you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. Do not begin working until you receive the EAD card. You must notify your DSO when you receive Special Student Relief approval.