On Aug. 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted Federal Register notices announcing the suspension of certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Sudan and Ukraine who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a result of the current crisis in Sudan and the current armed conflict in Ukraine. This notice extends Special Student Relief (SSR) for eligible Sudanese and Ukrainian students from Oct. 20, 2023, until April 19, 2025.
These notices temporarily suspend applicable on-campus and off-campus employment regulations for eligible Sudanese and Ukrainian students. DHS will continue to monitor the situation in Sudan and Ukraine and will announce any additional modifications or extensions to these notices in the Federal Register.
These notices apply exclusively to F-1 nonimmigrant students who meet all of the following conditions:
- Are citizens of Sudan or Ukraine regardless of country of birth (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Syria);
- Are lawfully present in the United States in an F-1 nonimmigrant status on Aug. 21, 2023;
- 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 current crisis in Sudan and the current armed conflict in Ukraine.
The suspension of these requirements will remain in effect until April 19, 2025, for Sudanese and Ukrainian students.
Please refer to the Sudan Federal Register notice and Ukraine Federal Register notice for more information regarding:
- The specific SSR action effective with this notice;
- Who is covered by these SSR actions;
- Why DHS took these SSR actions; and
- How to apply for employment authorization under this SSR action.
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.
