Special Student Relief
The US government authorizes certain F-1 students for Special Student Relief (SSR) in recognition of emergency circumstances in countries around the world. SSR is a combination of expanded work authorization, on-campus and/or off-campus, and, if desired, Reduced Course Load. The government posts notices in the Federal Register when it makes its determination of eligibility. The Designated School Official (DSO) at the school at which the F-1 student attends must make the initial confirmation of eligibility and, if the student is eligible, assist the student with accessing the benefits of SSR.
Benefits of SSR
Special Student Relief offers three main benefits to eligible F-1 students: expanded on-campus work authorization, off-campus work authorization, and the option of Reduced Course Load.
Expanded On-Campus Work Authorization: Under standard conditions, F-1 students are restricted to 20 per week of on-campus work authorization while classes are in session. They may exceed 20 hours only during school breaks. When authorized by a DSO under SSR, an F-1 student can exceed 20 hours per week for the duration of the authorization period. Authorization is made by a DSO in the Office of International Affairs. Approval by DSO will take 1 to 3 days.
Off-Campus Work Authorization: Under standard conditions, F-1 students cannot work off-campus unless they have approval from USCIS or have specific authorization for CPT or OPT. When authorized by USCIS under SSR, an F-1 student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for unrestricted work authorization. Authorization is made by USCIS after recommendation by a DSO in the Office of International Affairs. Approval by USCIS will take several weeks.
Reduced Course Load: The benefit of Reduced Course Load must be used together with On-Campus or Off-Campus Work Authorization. It cannot be used alone as the reason for the RCL is to allow more time for work. An RCL can be approved and not be used.
An undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant student who receives on-campus or off-campus employment authorization must remain registered for a minimum of six semester hours of instruction per academic term. One course may be online if needed.
A graduate-level F–1 nonimmigrant student who receives on-campus or off-campus employment authorization under this notice must remain registered for a minimum of three semester hours of instruction per academic term.
Active SSR Notices
Effective May 20, 2022 through November 20, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 87 FR 30971 (May 20, 2022). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Afghanistan, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Afghanistan);
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on May 20, 2022;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current situation in Afghanistan"
Effective May 25, 2021 until November 25, 2022. Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 28128 (May 25, 2021), for F-1 students who are citizens of Burma/Myanmar in the United States on May 25, 2021.
Effective November 26, 2022, extended from November 26, 2022 until May 25, 2024, under Federal Register notice at 87 FR 58509 (September 27, 2022), for F-1 students from Burma/Myanmar who were in the United States as of September 27, 2022.
To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Burma/Myanmar (or, under the September 27, 2022 extension notice, an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burma/Myanmar), regardless of country of birth;
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on May 25, 2021 (or under the September 27, 2022 notice, on September 27, 2022);
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current crisis in Burma"
Effective June 7, 2022 until December 7, 2023. Federal Register notice at 87 FR 34701 (June 7, 2022). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Cameroon, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Cameroon)
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on June 7, 2022;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the crises in Cameroon"
Effective August 3, 2021 through February 3, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 41857 (August 3, 2021). To be eligible under the notice, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Haiti, regardless of country of birth;
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on August 3, 2021;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current crisis in Haiti"
Effective November 26, 2021 through February 5, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 67485 (November 26, 2021). To be eligible under the notice, an F-1 student must:
- Be a resident of Hong Kong, regardless of country of birth;
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on November 26, 2021;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the emergent circumstances in Hong Kong"
Effective September 18, 2021 through March 17, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 38739 (July 22, 2021). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Somalia, regardless of country of birth;
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on September 18, 2021;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current crisis in Somalia"
Effective March 3, 2022 through November 3, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 87 FR 12182 (March 3, 2022). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of South Sudan, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in South Sudan);
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on March 3, 2022;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan"
Effective April 19, 2022 through October 19, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 87 FR 23195 (April 19, 2022). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of the Republic of Sudan, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan);
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 19, 2022;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the current crisis in Sudan"
Effective April 22, 2021 until September 30, 2022. Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 21333 (April 22, 2021), for Syrian F-1 students who were in the United States as of April 22, 2022. A Federal Register notice scheduled to be published on August 1, 2022 will extend SSR until April 1, 2024, for Syrian F-1 students who will be in the United States as of August 1, 2022. To be eligible under the current notice, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Syria, regardless of country of birth;
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the ongoing civil unrest in Syria since March 2011
Effective April 19, 2022 through October 19, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 87 FR 23189 (April 19, 2022). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Ukraine, regardless of country of birth (or be an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine);
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 19, 2022;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship "as a direct result of the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine"
Effective April 22, 2021 until September 9, 2022. Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 21328 (April 22, 2021). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Venezuela, regardless of country of birth;
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela
Effective September 4, 2021 until March 3, 2023. Federal Register notice published at 86 FR 36288 (July 9, 2021). To be eligible, an F-1 student must:
- Be a citizen of Yemen, regardless of country of birth;
- Have been lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on September 4, 2021;
- Be currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status;
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified academic institution; and
- Be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Yemen
The notices further state that they apply "to F-1 nonimmigrant students engaged in private kindergarten through grade 12, public school grades 9 through 12, and undergraduate and graduate education." It is unclear from that language whether the notices apply to students engaged in English language studies.
Application Process
To apply for SSR, please complete the request form and submit it with all evidence to oiaservices@una.edu. The request form provides detailed descriptions of requested evidence. For more information or to discuss your options, please contact a Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of International Affairs.