On Sept. 26th, the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension and redesignation of Special Student Relief employment benefits for students from Burma (Myanmar). This notice redesignates Special Student Relief (SSR) to include eligible students who are in a lawful F-1 status as of Sept. 27, 2022 and extends relief until May 25, 2024.
This notice temporarily suspends applicable on-campus and off-campus employment regulations for eligible Burmese students. DHS will continue to monitor the situation in Burma and will announce any additional modifications or extensions to these notices in the Federal Register.
The notice applies exclusively to F-1 nonimmigrant students who meet all of the following conditions:
- Are citizens of Burma regardless of country of birth (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burma);
- Were lawfully present in the United States in an F-1 nonimmigrant status on Sept. 27, 2022;
- Are enrolled in a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school;
- Are currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status; and
- Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the humanitarian crisis in Burma.
Please refer to the Federal Register Notice (scheduled for publication on Sept. 27) for more information.
In summary, Burmese students meeting the conditions above may apply for on-campus or off-campus work authorization for severe economic hardship due to circumstances back home. This suspends the regulatory requirements for such authorizations, allowing work over the 20 hour/week limit while enrolling part-time if needed. Undergraduates will have to maintain at least 6 credit hours per term, while graduate students must maintain at least 3 credit hours. Students must be working in order to receive a reduced course load authorization. Students must apply for this benefit.
For details of this SSR and to apply, students should first make an appointment with an ISS advisor to determine eligibility and to receive the authorization.
