Key Points
- USCIS will update the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the employment authorization validity period for F-1 students
- The guidance applies to F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances
- Students from certain regions may qualify if they are from specific regions or are experiencing economic hardship from natural disasters, military conflict, and financial crises
- The update will apply to all pending and future Special Student Relief (SSR) applications
Overview
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced plans to update the USCIS Policy Manual with clarifications on the employment authorization validity period for F-1 students who are experiencing economic hardship due to emergent circumstances, also called Special Student Relief (SSR).
Students who are impacted by SSR and who have work authorization under the SSR provisions of 8 CFR may now receive off-campus SSR employment authorization through USCIS. This temporary authorization will last through the Federal Register notice validity period, which is typically 18 months. The validity period may not extend beyond the time that the student’s academic program ends.
F-1 students may qualify for “emergent circumstances” if they are from specific regions and if they are experiencing severe economic hardship due to a financial crisis, military conflicts, and natural disasters, among other problems.
Looking Ahead
This policy will take effect when USCIS publishes it. It will apply to all pending and future SSR employment authorization applications. Updates will be provided when the policy update is posted.
Written by: Lucy Halse, Content Marketing Associate, Envoy Global
Edited by: Frank Fogelbach, Supervising Attorney, Corporate Immigration Partners
Source: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
