Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2023 / Notices 65721 

1As a result of the SARS–CoV–2 (COVID–19) 

pandemic, Laboratories and Scientific Services 

implemented a one-time quadrennial timeframe for 

reoccurring audits originally scheduled to take 

place in 2020, 2021, and 2022. This postponed the 

scheduled deadline for audits and the payment of 

reaccreditation or reapproval fees by one year, after 

which audits will return to a triennial schedule. See 

19 U.S.C. 1499; Presidential Proclamation 9994, 85 

FR 15337 (March 13, 2020); Executive Order 13924, 

85 FR 31353 (May 19, 2020); and U.S. Customs & 

Border Protection, COVID–19 Laboratory and 

Gauger Postponement Letter (May 26, 2021), 

https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/covid-19- 

gauger-postponement-letter. 

certain petroleum products and 

accredited to test petroleum and certain 

petroleum products for customs 

purposes for the next four years as of 

September 27, 2019. 

DATES: Intertek USA, Inc. (Houston, TX) 

was approved and accredited as a 

commercial gauger and laboratory as of 

September 27, 2019. The next 

inspection date will be scheduled for 

September 2023. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. 

Eugene Bondoc, Laboratories and 

Scientific Services, U.S. Customs and 

Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania 

Avenue NW, Suite 1500N, Washington, 

DC 20229, tel. 202–344–3974. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is 

hereby given pursuant to 19 CFR 151.12 

and 19 CFR 151.13, that Intertek USA, 

Inc., 16025 Suite B Jacintoport Blvd., 

Houston, TX 77015, has been approved 

to gauge petroleum and certain 

petroleum products and accredited to 

test petroleum and certain petroleum 

products for customs purposes, in 

accordance with the provisions of 19 

CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR 151.13 as of 

September 27, 2019.1

Intertek USA, Inc. (Houston, TX) is 

approved for the following gauging 

procedures for petroleum and certain 

petroleum products from the American 

Petroleum Institute (API): 

API chapters Title 

3 ................... Tank Gauging. 

7 ................... Temperature Determination. 

8 ................... Sampling. 

12 ................. Calculations. 

17 ................. Marine Measurement. 

Intertek USA, Inc. (Houston, TX) is 

accredited for the following laboratory 

analysis procedures and methods for 

petroleum and certain petroleum 

products set forth by the U.S. Customs 

and Border Protection Laboratory 

Methods (CBPL) and American Society 

for Testing and Materials (ASTM): 

CBPL No. ASTM Title 

27–02 .......................................... D1298 Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude 

Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method. 

27–03 .......................................... D4006 Standard Test Method for Water in Crude Oil by Distillation. 

27–05 .......................................... D4928 Standard Test Method for Water in Crude Oils by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration. 

27–06 .......................................... D473 Standard Test Method for Sediment in Crude Oils and Fuel Oils by the Extraction Method. 

27–13 .......................................... D4294 Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum Products by Energy-Dispersive Xray Fluorescence Spectrometry. 

27–46 .......................................... D5002 Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Crude Oils by Digital 

Density Analyzer. 

27–48 .......................................... D4052 Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter. 

27–54 .......................................... D1796 Standard Test Method for Water and Sediment in Fuel Oils by the Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedure). 

N/A .............................................. D4007 Standard Test Method for Water and Sediment in Crude Oil by the Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedure). 

Anyone wishing to employ this entity 

to conduct laboratory analyses and 

gauger services should request and 

receive written assurances from the 

entity that it is accredited or approved 

by the U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection to conduct the specific test or 

gauger service requested. Alternatively, 

inquiries regarding the specific test or 

gauger service this entity is accredited 

or approved to perform may be directed 

to the U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection by calling (202) 344–1060. 

The inquiry may also be sent to 

CBPGaugersLabs@cbp.dhs.gov. Please 

reference the website listed below for a 

complete listing of CBP approved 

gaugers and accredited laboratories. 

http://www.cbp.gov/about/labsscientific/commercial-gaugers-andlaboratories. 

James D. Sweet, 

Laboratory Director, Houston, Laboratories 

and Scientific Services. 

[FR Doc. 2023–20691 Filed 9–22–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–14–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2023–0006] 

RIN 1653–ZA42 

Employment Authorization for Afghan 

F–1 Nonimmigrant Students 

Experiencing Severe Economic 

Hardship as a Direct Result of the 

Current Armed Conflict and Current 

Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan 

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement; Department of Homeland 

Security. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that 

the Secretary of Homeland Security 

(Secretary) is suspending certain 

regulatory requirements for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Afghanistan, regardless 

of country of birth (or individuals 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Afghanistan), and 

who are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The 

Secretary is taking action to provide 

relief to these Afghan students who are 

in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant students 

status, so the students may request 

employment authorization, work an 

increased number of hours while school 

is in session, and reduce their course 

load while continuing to maintain their 

F–1 nonimmigrant student status. The 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student granted employment 

authorization by means of this notice to 

be engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ 

for the duration of the employment 

authorization, if the nonimmigrant 

student satisfies the minimum course 

load requirement described in this 

notice. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
65722 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2023 / Notices 

1Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of May 20, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

2U.S. Department of State, 2022 Country Report 

on Human Rights Practices: Afghanistan, Mar. 20, 

2023, available at: https://www.state.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/415610_AFGHANISTAN2022-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf (last visited 

Aug. 25, 2023). 

3U.S. Department of State, 2022 Country Report 

on Human Rights Practices: Afghanistan, Mar. 20, 

2023, available at: https://www.state.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/415610_AFGHANISTAN2022-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf (last visited 

Aug. 25, 2023). 4Lindsay Maizland, The Taliban in Afghanistan, 

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Jan. 19, 2023, 

available at: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/ 

taliban-afghanistan (last visited May 5, 2023). 

5The World Bank, World Bank Survey: Living 

Conditions Remain Dire for the Afghan People, 

Nov. 22, 2022, available at: https://

www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/ 

11/22/world-bank-survey-living-conditions-remaindire-for-the-afghan-people (last visited June 8, 

2023). 

6 International Crisis Group, Afghanistan’s 

Security Challenges under the Taliban, Aug. 12, 

2022, available at: https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/ 

south-asia/afghanistan/afghanistans-securitychallenges-under-taliban (last visited May 6, 2023). 

7Human Rights Watch, World Report 2023— 

Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2023, available at: https://

www.ecoi.net/en/document/2085369.html (last 

visited June 8, 2023). 

8Amnesty International, Amnesty International 

Report 2022/23, The State of the World’s Human 

Rights, Afghanistan 2022, Mar. 27, 2023, available 

at: https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/ 

2089394.html (last visited June 9, 2023). 

9Countering a Resurgent Terrorist Threat in 

Afghanistan: Contingency Planning Memorandum 

DATES: This action is effective 

November 21, 2023, through May 20, 

2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sharon Snyder, Unit Chief, Policy and 

Response Unit, Student and Exchange 

Visitor Program, MS 5600, U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 

500 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 

20536–5600; email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov, 

telephone: (703) 603–3400. This is not 

a toll-free number. Program information 

can be found at https://www.ice.gov/ 

sevis/. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

What action is DHS taking under this 

notice? 

The Secretary is exercising authority 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to temporarily 

suspend the applicability of certain 

requirements governing on-campus and 

off-campus employment for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Afghanistan regardless 

of country of birth (or individuals 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Afghanistan), who 

are present in the United States in 

lawful F–1 nonimmigrant student status 

on the date of publication of this notice, 

and who are experiencing severe 

economic hardship as a direct result of 

the armed conflict and humanitarian 

crisis in Afghanistan. The original 

notice, which suspended certain 

regulatory requirements for 

F–1 nonimmigrant students 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the situation at that 

time is effective from May 20, 2022, 

through November 20, 2023. See 87 FR 

30971 (May 20, 2022). Effective with 

this publication, suspension of the 

employment limitations is available 

through May 20, 2025, for those who are 

in lawful 

F–1 nonimmigrant status on the date 

of publication of this notice. DHS will 

deem an F–1 nonimmigrant student 

granted employment authorization 

through this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ for the duration 

of the employment authorization, if the 

student satisfies the minimum course 

load set forth in this notice.1 See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 

Who is covered by this notice? 

This notice applies exclusively to F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who meet all 

of the following conditions: 

(1) Are a citizen of Afghanistan 

regardless of country of birth (or an 

individual having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Afghanistan); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on the date of publication 

of this notice in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of 

the Immigration and Nationality Act 

(INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is Student and Exchange 

Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for 

enrollment for F–1 nonimmigrant 

students; 

(4) Are currently maintaining F–1 

nonimmigrant status; and 

(5) Are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. 

This notice applies to F–1 

nonimmigrant students in an approved 

private school in kindergarten through 

grade 12, public school grades 9 through 

12, and undergraduate and graduate 

education. An F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered by this notice who 

transfers to another SEVP-certified 

academic institution remains eligible for 

the relief provided by means of this 

notice. 

Why is DHS taking this action? 

DHS is taking action to provide relief 

to Afghan F–1 nonimmigrant students 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

due to the armed conflict and 

humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. 

Based on its review of country 

conditions in Afghanistan and input 

received from the U.S. Department of 

State (DOS), DHS is taking action to 

allow eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

students from Afghanistan to request 

employment authorization, work an 

increased number of hours while school 

is in session, and reduce their course 

load while continuing to maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. 

Since the August 2021 Taliban 

takeover, armed conflict, as well as 

violence against Afghans associated 

with international efforts in 

Afghanistan, has continued throughout 

Afghanistan.2 The U.S. Department of 

State describes ongoing human rights 

abuses, widespread disregard for law, 

and a climate of fear of retribution 

against those who are perceived to 

oppose the Taliban regime.3 The 

Taliban do not respect human rights, 

especially of Afghan women and girls, 

and struggle to meet the country’s 

numerous challenges including the 

economic situation.4 The World Bank 

described the situation in Afghanistan 

as grim, finding significant instability in 

food security, healthcare, and general 

welfare for women and girls.5 Ongoing 

armed conflict poses a serious threat to 

the safety of nationals returning to 

Afghanistan. Extraordinary and 

temporary conditions, including lack of 

access to food, clean water, and 

healthcare, as well as destroyed 

infrastructure, internal displacement, 

and economic instability continue to 

prevent Afghan nationals from returning 

to their homeland in safety. 

Scale and Impact of Conflict 

While overall armed conflict has 

decreased since the Taliban takeover, 

armed conflict continues by the Taliban 

and the Islamic State in Khorasan 

Province (ISKP) against the general 

population persists.6 7 Since the Taliban 

takeover, the Taliban have struggled to 

stabilize Afghanistan. They imposed 

their interpretation of sharia law, 

enacted harsh punishments against the 

population, and undermined the 

enjoyment of human rights.8 ISKP is a 

U.S. designated terrorist group and 

transnational affiliate of the Islamic 

State militant group that seeks to control 

Central and South Asia to establish a 

caliphate.9 It is engaged in armed 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2023 / Notices 65723 

Update, Council on Foreign Relations, available at: 

https://www.cfr.org/report/countering-resurgentterrorist-threat-afghanistan (last visited Sept. 18, 

2023). 

10 2022 Report on International Religious 

Freedom: Afghanistan, Dept. of State, available at: 

https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-oninternational-religious-freedom/afghanistan/ 

#section-3 (last visited Sept. 18, 2023). 

11 International Crisis Group, Afghanistan’s 

Security Challenges under the Taliban, Aug. 12, 

2022, available at: https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/ 

south-asia/afghanistan/afghanistans-securitychallenges-under-taliban (last visited May 6, 2023). 

12Human Rights Watch, World Report 2023— 

Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2023, available at: https://

www.ecoi.net/en/document/2085369.html (last 

visited June 8, 2023). 

13Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and 

Asylum Research and Documentation, Ecoi.net 

Featured Topic on Afghanistan: Overview of recent 

developments and key players in Afghanistan, May 

17, 2023, available at: https://www.ecoi.net/en/ 

document/2092065.html (last visited June 9, 2023). 

14European Union Agency for Asylum, 

Afghanistan Security Information, Jan. 2023, 

available at: https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/ 

administration/easo/PLib/2022_08_EUAA_COI_

Report_Afghanistan_Security_situation.pdf (last 

visited June 9, 2023). 

15European Union Agency for Asylum, 

Afghanistan Security Information, Jan. 2023, 

available at: https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/ 

administration/easo/PLib/2022_08_EUAA_COI_

Report_Afghanistan_Security_situation.pdf (last 

visited June 9, 2023). 

16European Union Agency for Asylum, 

Afghanistan Security Information, Jan. 2023, 

available at: https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/ 

administration/easo/PLib/2022_08_EUAA_COI_

Report_Afghanistan_Security_situation.pdf (last 

visited June 9, 2023). 

17Michael Kugelman, How Dangerous is the 

Islamic State-Khorasan?, Foreign Policy, Mar. 23, 

2023, available at: https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/ 

03/23/afghanistan-islamic-state-khorasan-centcomwarning-threat/ (last visited June 9, 2023). 

18European Union Agency for Asylum, 

Afghanistan Security Information, Jan. 2023, 

available at: https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/ 

administration/easo/PLib/2022_08_EUAA_COI_

Report_Afghanistan_Security_situation.pdf (last 

visited June 9, 2023). 

19United Nations High Commissioner for 

Refugees (UNHCR), A/HRC/52/84: Situation of 

human rights in Afghanistan—Report of the Special 

Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in 

Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, Feb. 09, 2023, 

available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/ 

country-reports/ahrc5284-situation-human-rightsafghanistan-report-special-rapporteur (last visited 

June 9, 2023). 

20Fereshta Abbasi, What are the main challenges 

to women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan?, Human 

Rights Watch, Mar. 9, 2023, available at: https://

apnews.com/article/taliban-afghanistan-womenrights-united-nations591c39436d53f83e5a0c423c5e06891c (last visited 

May 12, 2023). 

21UNHCR, A/HRC/52/84: Situation of human 

rights in Afghanistan—Report of the Special 

Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in 

Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, Feb. 09, 2023, 

available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/ 

country-reports/ahrc5284-situation-human-rightsafghanistan-report-special-rapporteur (last visited 

June 9, 2023). 

22U.S. Department of State, 2022 Report on 

International Religious Freedom: Afghanistan, May 

15, 2023, available at: https://www.ecoi.net/en/ 

document/2091855.html (last visited June 9, 2023). 

23Human Rights Watch, Afghanistan: ISIS Group 

Targets Religious Minorities, Sept. 6, 2022, 

available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/09/06/ 

afghanistan-isis-group-targets-religious-minorities 

(last visited Aug. 21, 2023). 

24Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and 

Asylum Research and Documentation, Ecoi.net 

Featured Topic on Afghanistan: Overview of recent 

developments and key players in Afghanistan, May 

17, 2023, available at: https://www.ecoi.net/en/ 

document/2092065.html (last visited June 9, 2023). 

25European Union Agency for Asylum, Country 

Guidance: Afghanistan; January 2023, Jan. 2023, 

available at: https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/ 

2086795/2023_Country_Guidance_Afghanistan_

EN.pdf (last visited June 9, 2023). 

26European Union Agency for Asylum, Country 

Guidance: Afghanistan; January 2023, Jan. 2023, 

available at: https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/ 

2086795/2023_Country_Guidance_Afghanistan_

EN.pdf (last visited June 9, 2023). 

27Human Rights Watch, Afghanistan: Economic 

Roots of the Humanitarian Crisis, Mar. 1, 2022, 

available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/01/ 

afghanistan-economic-roots-humanitarian-crisis 

(last visited June 9, 2023). 

28World Food Programme, WFP Afghanistan; 

Situation Report; 24 May 2023, May 24, 2023, 

available at: https://reliefweb.int/attachments/ 

bb0a5390-5198-4194-b87d-c8a78cd42e22/

20230524%20AFG%20External%20Sitrep.pdf (last 

visited June 9, 2023). 

29 Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, 

Country Profile: Afghanistan, May 24, 2023, 

available at: https://www.internal-displacement.org/ 

countries/afghanistan (last visited June 9, 2023). 

30Human Rights Watch, Hard Choices in 

Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Crisis, May 15, 2023, 

available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/15/ 

hard-choices-afghanistans-humanitarian-crisis#:∼:

text=Afghanistan%20has%20largely%20

disappeared%20from,

girls%20remain%20most%20at%20risk. (last 

visited June 9, 2023). 

31ReliefWeb, Afghanistan: Revised Humanitarian 

Response Plan (Jun–Dec 2023), available at: https:// 

reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistanrevised-humanitarian-response-plan-jun-dec-2023 

(last Sept. 15, 2023). 

conflict with the Taliban, and continues 

to conduct attacks against Taliban 

fighters, civilians, and protected sites, 

including mosques.10 The Taliban 

continue to fight ISKP in the east and 

north .11 12 ISKP, an Islamic State 

affiliate active since approximately 

2014, continues to pose a risk to 

security and safety in Afghanistan.13

Beginning in August 2021, ISKP began 

rejecting Taliban legitimacy and 

escalated attacks against them across the 

country.14 In mid-2022, ISKP conducted 

multiple attacks on primarily civilian 

targets in Kunduz and Mazar-i-Sharif.15

Within Afghanistan, ISKP attacks are 

mostly aimed at Taliban targets and 

minority groups, especially Hazaras.16 17

While ISKP does not control territory in 

Afghanistan, their recent escalation of 

attacks contributes to the ongoing 

security crisis in the country.18

Human Rights Abuses 

The human rights situation in 

Afghanistan was recently described as a 

worsening crisis, with the United 

Nations Special Rapporteur on Human 

Rights in Afghanistan, encouraging the 

International Criminal Court (ICC) to 

‘‘take note of the unprecedented 

deterioration of women’s rights . . . and 

that the Prosecutor consider the crime of 

gender persecution in Afghanistan.’’ 19

Afghanistan under the Taliban remains 

extremely oppressive, particularly with 

respect to the meaningful participation 

of women in all aspects of public and 

private life and the exercise of freedom 

of religion or belief. Gender-based 

violence, including sexual violence, 

against women and girls occurs with 

impunity.20 21

Hazaras, members of an ethnic and 

religious minority, have experienced 

harm in the form of forcible evictions, 

threats, physical harm, and attacks on 

religious institutions and education 

centers.22 In September 2022, Human 

Rights Watch reported that attacks on 

members of the Hazara community are 

‘‘systematic in nature and reflect 

elements of an organizational policy.’’ 23

Former employees of the prior Afghan 

government also continue to face 

reprisals. Human Rights Watch reported 

on the killings and disappearances of 47 

members of the Afghan National 

Security Forces (ANSF) in late 2022, 

and the United Nations (U.N.) found 

that family members of former Afghan 

security forces members were also 

targeted by elements of the Taliban.24

The Taliban have arrested activists and 

journalists who criticized them on 

media platforms and raided offices of 

non-governmental organizations.25

Human rights abuses against perceived 

opponents have been particularly 

violent after protests, with the Taliban 

using live ammunition, whips, and 

electroshock weapons to disperse 

crowds.26

Humanitarian Situation 

The humanitarian situation in 

Afghanistan is dire, with 15 million 

Afghans not consuming enough food, 

and much of the population impacted, 

as well as limited access to clean 

water.27 28 As a result of the Taliban 

takeover and ongoing violence, internal 

displacement has also skyrocketed in 

Afghanistan.29 Afghanistan is currently 

experiencing one of the world’s worst 

humanitarian disasters, with more than 

two thirds of the population, 29.2 

million people, requiring humanitarian 

assistance.30 31 The U.N. World Food 

Programme recently found that 

Afghanistan is at the greatest risk of 

famine in 25 years, with half of all 

families in the country existing in crisisVerDate Sep<11>2014 20:11 Sep 22, 2023 Jkt 259001 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1

ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
65724 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2023 / Notices 

32 Id. 

33 Id. 

34ReliefWeb, Afghanistan: Drought—2021–2023, 

2021–2023, available at: https://reliefweb.int/ 

disaster/dr-2021-000022-afg (last visited June 9, 

2023). 

35UNCHR, Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis, 

available at: https://www.unrefugees.org/ 

emergencies/afghanistan/ (last visited June 9, 2023). 

36Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis, UNHCR, 

available at: https://www.unrefugees.org/ 

emergencies/afghanistan/ (last visited Sept. 15, 

2023). 

37Ngoe Phuong Hong Tao, et al., Healthcare 

collapse in Afghanistan due to political crises, 

natural catastrophes, and dearth of international aid 

post-COVID, Jan. 11, 2023, Journal of Global Health, 

available at: https://jogh.org/2023/jogh-13-03003 

(last visited June 9, 2023). 

38Statement on Continuation of Assassinations, 

Kidnappings, and Destruction of Vital 

Infrastructure, US Embassy in Afghanistan, Jan. 31, 

2021, available at: https://af.usembassy.gov/ 

statement-on-continuation-of-assassinationskidnappings-and-destruction-of-vitalinfrastructure/ (last visited June 9, 2023). 

39UN Office for the Coordination of 

Humanitarian Affairs, Afghanistan: ICCT Winter 

Prioritisation—December 2022 (Issued 16 January 

2023), Jan. 17, 2023, available at: https://

reliefweb.int/attachments/1d506d5a-3624-4768- 

87ac-5bc51329b9b3/2023%20ICCT%20

Winter%20Prioritisation%20Report_Q1_fn_

160123.pdf (last visited June 9, 2023). 

40Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, ‘Life of Toil’: 

Growing Number of Starving Afghan Families Send 

Children to Work, May 17, 2023, available at: 

https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2092100.html 

(last visited June 9, 2023). 

41Taliban bans foreign currencies in Afghanistan, 

BBC News, Nov. 3, 2021, available at: https://

www.bbc.com/news/business-59129470 (last visited 

May 12, 2023). 

42Anthony Cordesman, Reshaping U.S. Aid to 

Afghanistan: The Challenge of Lasting Progress, 

Feb. 23, 2022, available at: https://www.csis.org/ 

analysis/reshaping-us-aid-afghanistan-challengelasting-progress (last visited May 10, 2023). 

43 Killing the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg: 

Afghanistan’s economic distress post-15 August, 

Afghanistan Analysts Network, Nov. 11, 2021, 

available at: https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/ 

en/reports/economydevelopment-environment/ 

killing-the-goose-that-laid-the-golden-eggafghanistans-economic-distress-post-15-august/ 

(last visited May 12, 2023). 

coping mode.32 Since August 2022, the 

Programme estimates that nine out of 

ten families in Afghanistan do not have 

the means to afford enough food.33 A 

recent Whole of Afghanistan 

Assessment found that 79 percent of 

households lack enough water for daily 

needs.34 More than 1.6 million Afghans 

fled the country since 2021, with Iran 

and Pakistan hosting 85 percent of 

displaced Afghans.35 There are also 

approximately 3.2 million internally 

displaced persons (IDPs) due to conflict 

and violence.36

Healthcare and Infrastructure Concerns 

Afghanistan’s healthcare system is 

currently struggling and hospitals that 

are still functioning do so with few 

supplies and massive staff shortages, as 

many medical personnel have fled the 

unstable country and foreign aid has 

been suspended since the Taliban 

takeover.37 The Taliban’s targeted 

attacks on vital infrastructure, including 

power stations, roads, and cell phone 

towers have created dire circumstances 

across the country, which is made worse 

by the suspension of international 

support for civilian infrastructure 

maintenance due to the expulsion of aid 

workers by the Taliban regime.38 39

Economic Concerns 

Economic instability has added to the 

deepening humanitarian crisis in 

Afghanistan. Due to the economic 

collapse, high inflation, and difficulty in 

finding stable jobs, an estimated one 

million children are working in 

Afghanistan, a number that soared since 

the Taliban seized power.40 In 

November 2021, the Taliban banned the 

use of foreign currency, which may 

further disrupt an economy on the brink 

of collapse.41 The World Bank notes that 

the unexpected loss of public sector 

activity is likely to have impacts 

throughout the Afghan economy, 

especially in the service and 

construction sectors, which accounts for 

approximately 58 percent of GDP.42

When compared to the previous Taliban 

era, the level of poverty this time is 

predicted to be worse and felt more 

acutely across the country.43

As of September 13, 2023, 

approximately 550 F–1 nonimmigrant 

students from Afghanistan are enrolled 

at SEVP-certified academic institutions 

in the United States. Given the extent of 

the current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, 

affected students whose primary means 

of financial support comes from 

Afghanistan may need to be exempt 

from the normal student employment 

requirements to continue their studies 

in the United States. The current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

has made it unfeasible for many 

students to safely return to Afghanistan 

for the foreseeable future. Without 

employment authorization, these 

students may lack the means to meet 

basic living expenses. 

What is the minimum course load 

requirement to maintain valid F–1 

nonimmigrant status under this notice? 

Undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant 

students who receive on-campus or offcampus employment authorization 

under this notice must remain registered 

for a minimum of six semester or 

quarter hours of instruction per 

academic term. Undergraduate F–1 

nonimmigrant students enrolled in a 

term of different duration must register 

for at least one half of the credit hours 

normally required under a ‘‘full course 

of study.’’ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) 

and (F). A graduate-level F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives oncampus or off-campus employment 

authorization under this notice must 

remain registered for a minimum of 

three semester or quarter hours of 

instruction per academic term. See 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). Nothing in this 

notice affects the applicability of other 

minimum course load requirements set 

by the academic institution. 

In addition, an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student (either undergraduate or 

graduate) granted on-campus or offcampus employment authorization 

under this notice may count up to the 

equivalent of one class or three credits 

per session, term, semester, trimester, or 

quarter of online or distance education 

toward satisfying this minimum course 

load requirement, unless their course of 

study is in an English language study 

program. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G). An 

F–1 nonimmigrant student attending an 

approved private school in kindergarten 

through grade 12 or public school in 

grades 9 through 12 must maintain 

‘‘class attendance for not less than the 

minimum number of hours a week 

prescribed by the school for normal 

progress toward graduation,’’ as 

required under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). 

Nothing in this notice affects the 

applicability of federal and state labor 

laws limiting the employment of 

minors. 

May an eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

student who already has on-campus or 

off-campus employment authorization 

benefit from the suspension of 

regulatory requirements under this 

notice? 

Yes. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

who is an Afghan citizen, regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Afghanistan), who already 

has on-campus or off-campus 

employment authorization and is 

otherwise eligible may benefit under 

this notice, which suspends certain 

regulatory requirements relating to the 

minimum course load requirement 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i) and certain 

employment eligibility requirements 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9). Such an 

eligible F–1 nonimmigrant student may 

benefit without having to apply for a 

new Form I–766, Employment 

Authorization Document (EAD). To 

benefit from this notice, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student must request that 

their designated school official (DSO) 

enter the following statement in the 

remarks field of the student’s Student 

and Exchange Visitor Information 


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44Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of May 20, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

45See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

46Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

Continued 

System (SEVIS) record, which the 

student’s Form I–20, Certificate of 

Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F–1) 

Student Status, will reflect: 

Approved for more than 20 hours per week 

of [DSO must insert ‘‘on-campus’’ or ‘‘offcampus,’’ depending upon the type of 

employment authorization the student 

already has] employment authorization and 

reduced course load under the Special 

Student Relief authorization from [DSO must 

insert the beginning date of the notice or the 

beginning date of the student’s employment, 

whichever date is later] until [DSO must 

insert either the student’s program end date, 

the current EAD expiration date (if the 

student is currently authorized for offcampus employment), or the end date of this 

notice, whichever date comes first].44

Must the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

apply for reinstatement after expiration 

of this special employment 

authorization if the student reduces his 

or her ‘‘full course of study’’? 

No. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives and 

comports with the employment 

authorization permitted under this 

notice to be engaged in a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 45 for the duration of the 

student’s employment authorization, 

provided that a qualifying 

undergraduate level F–1 nonimmigrant 

student remains registered for a 

minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term, 

and a qualifying graduate level F–1 

nonimmigrant student remains 

registered for a minimum of three 

semester or quarter hours of instruction 

per academic term. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v) and (f)(6)(i)(F). 

Undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant 

students enrolled in a term of different 

duration must register for at least one 

half of the credit hours normally 

required under a ‘‘full course of study.’’ 

See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) and (F). DHS 

will not require such students to apply 

for reinstatement under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16) if they are otherwise 

maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant status. 

Will an F–2 dependent (spouse or 

minor child) of an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered by this notice be 

eligible for employment authorization? 

No. An F–2 spouse or minor child of 

an F–1 nonimmigrant student is not 

authorized to work in the United States 

and, therefore, may not accept 

employment under the F–2 

nonimmigrant status, consistent with 

8CFR 214.2(f)(15)(i). 

Will the suspension of the applicability 

of the standard student employment 

requirements apply to an individual 

who receives an initial F–1 visa and 

makes an initial entry into the United 

States after the effective date of this 

notice in the Federal Register? 

No. The suspension of the 

applicability of the standard regulatory 

requirements only applies to certain F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who meet the 

following conditions: 

(1) Are a citizen of Afghanistan 

regardless of country of birth (or an 

individual having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Afghanistan); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on the date of publication 

of this notice in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status, under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of 

the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is SEVP-certified for 

enrollment of F–1 nonimmigrant 

students; 

(4) Are maintaining F–1 

nonimmigrant status; and 

(5) Are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

does not meet all these requirements is 

ineligible for the suspension of the 

applicability of the standard regulatory 

requirements (even if experiencing 

severe economic hardship as a direct 

result of the current armed conflict and 

current humanitarian crisis in 

Afghanistan). 

Does this notice apply to a continuing 

F–1 nonimmigrant student who departs 

the United States after the effective date 

of this notice in the Federal Register 

and who needs to obtain a new F–1 visa 

before returning to the United States to 

continue an educational program? 

Yes. This notice applies to such an F– 

1 nonimmigrant student, but only if the 

DSO has properly notated the student’s 

SEVIS record, which will then appear 

on the student’s Form I–20. The normal 

rules for visa issuance remain 

applicable to a nonimmigrant who 

needs to apply for a new F–1 visa to 

continue an educational program in the 

United States. 

Does this notice apply to elementary 

school, middle school, and high school 

students in F–1 status? 

Yes. However, this notice does not by 

itself reduce the required course load for 

F–1 nonimmigrant students from 

Afghanistan enrolled in kindergarten 

through grade 12 at a private school, or 

grades 9 through 12 at a public high 

school. Such students must maintain 

the minimum number of hours of class 

attendance per week prescribed by the 

academic institution for normal progress 

toward graduation, as required under 

8CFR214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). The suspension of 

certain regulatory requirements related 

to employment through this notice is 

applicable to all eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students regardless of 

educational level. Eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students from 

Afghanistan enrolled in an elementary 

school, middle school, or high school 

may benefit from the suspension of the 

requirement in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that 

limits on-campus employment to 20 

hours per week while school is in 

session. 

On-Campus Employment Authorization 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives on-campus employment 

authorization under this notice be 

authorized to work more than 20 hours 

per week while school is in session? 

Yes. For an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered in this notice, the 

Secretary is suspending the 

applicability of the requirement in 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that limits an F–1 

nonimmigrant student’s on-campus 

employment to 20 hours per week while 

school is in session. An eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant student has authorization 

to work more than 20 hours per week 

while school is in session if the DSO has 

entered the following statement in the 

remarks field of the student’s SEVIS 

record, which will be reflected on the 

student’s Form I–20: 

Approved for more than 20 hours per week 

of on-campus employment and reduced 

course load, under the Special Student Relief 

authorization from [DSO must insert the 

beginning date of this notice or the beginning 

date of the student’s employment, whichever 

date is later] until [DSO must insert the 

student’s program end date or the end date 

of this notice, whichever date comes first].46


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
65726 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2023 / Notices 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of May 20, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

47See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

48Minimum course load requirement for 

enrollment in a school must be established in a 

publicly available document (e.g., catalog, website, 

or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 

applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign 

students) enrolled at the school. 

49See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

50Minimum course load requirement for 

enrollment in a school must be established in a 

publicly available document (e.g., catalog, website, 

or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 

applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign 

students) enrolled at the school. 

51See 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(iii). 52Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of May 20, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

To obtain on-campus employment 

authorization, the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student must demonstrate to the DSO 

that the employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship directly 

resulting from the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Afghanistan. An F–1 nonimmigrant 

student authorized by the DSO to 

engage in on-campus employment by 

means of this notice does not need to 

file any applications with U.S. 

Citizenship and Immigration Services 

(USCIS). The standard rules permitting 

full-time on-campus employment when 

school is not in session or during school 

vacations apply, as described in 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9)(i). 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives on-campus employment 

authorization under this notice have 

authorization to reduce the normal 

course load and still maintain his or her 

F–1 nonimmigrant student status? 

Yes. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives oncampus employment authorization 

under this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ 47 for the purpose 

of maintaining their F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for the duration of the oncampus employment, if the student 

satisfies the minimum course load 

requirement described in this notice, 

consistent with 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 

However, the authorization to reduce 

the normal course load is solely for DHS 

purposes of determining valid F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. Nothing 

in this notice mandates that school 

officials allow an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student to take a reduced course load if 

the reduction would not meet the 

academic institution’s minimum course 

load requirement for continued 

enrollment.48

Off-Campus Employment Authorization 

What regulatory requirements does this 

notice temporarily suspend relating to 

off-campus employment? 

For an F–1 nonimmigrant student 

covered by this notice, as provided 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(A), the 

Secretary is suspending the following 

regulatory requirements relating to offcampus employment: 

(a) The requirement that a student 

must have been in F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for one full academic year 

to be eligible for off-campus 

employment; 

(b) The requirement that an F–1 

nonimmigrant student must 

demonstrate that acceptance of 

employment will not interfere with the 

student’s carrying a full course of study; 

(c) The requirement that limits an F– 

1 nonimmigrant student’s employment 

authorization to no more than 20 hours 

per week of off-campus employment 

while the school is in session; and 

(d) The requirement that the student 

demonstrate that employment under 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) is unavailable or 

otherwise insufficient to meet the needs 

that have arisen as a result of the 

unforeseen circumstances. 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives off-campus employment 

authorization under this notice have 

authorization to reduce the normal 

course load and still maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant status? 

Yes. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives offcampus employment authorization by 

means of this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ 49 for the purpose 

of maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for the duration of the 

student’s employment authorization if 

the student satisfies the minimum 

course load requirement described in 

this notice, consistent with 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). However, the 

authorization for a reduced course load 

is solely for DHS purposes of 

determining valid F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status. Nothing in this notice 

mandates that school officials allow an 

F–1 nonimmigrant student to take a 

reduced course load if such reduced 

course load would not meet the school’s 

minimum course load requirement.50

How may an eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

student obtain employment 

authorization for off-campus 

employment with a reduced course load 

under this notice? 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

file a Form I–765, Application for 

Employment Authorization, with USCIS 

to apply for off-campus employment 

authorization based on severe economic 

hardship directly resulting from the 

current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.51

Filing instructions are located at https:// 

www.uscis.gov/i-765. 

Fee considerations. Submission of a 

Form I–765 currently requires payment 

of a $410 fee. An applicant who is 

unable to pay the fee may submit a 

completed Form I–912, Request for Fee 

Waiver, along with the Form I–765, 

Application for Employment 

Authorization. See https://

www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/ 

additional-information-on-filing-a-feewaiver. The submission 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). See 8 

CFR 103.7(c) (Oct. 1, 2020). 

Supporting documentation. An F–1 

nonimmigrant student seeking offcampus employment authorization due 

to severe economic hardship must 

demonstrate the following to their DSO: 

(1) This employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship; and 

(2) The hardship is a direct result of 

the current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. 

If the DSO agrees that the F–1 

nonimmigrant student is entitled to 

receive such employment authorization, 

the DSO must recommend application 

approval to USCIS by entering the 

following statement in the remarks field 

of the student’s SEVIS record, which 

will then appear on that student’s Form 

I–20: 

Recommended for off-campus 

employment authorization in excess of 

20 hours per week and reduced course 

load under the Special Student Relief 

authorization from the date of the 

USCIS authorization noted on Form I– 

766 until [DSO must insert the program 

end date or the end date of this notice, 

whichever date comes first].52

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

then file the properly endorsed Form I– 

20 and Form I–765 according to the 

instructions for the Form I–765. The F– 

1 nonimmigrant student may begin 

working off campus only upon receipt 

of the EAD from USCIS. 

DSO recommendation. In making a 

recommendation that an F–1 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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53See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

54 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). 

55 Guidance for direct filing addresses can be 

found here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses. 

56See DHS Study in the States, Special Student 

Relief, https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/ 

special-student-relief (last visited May 10, 2023). 57See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

nonimmigrant student be approved for 

Special Student Relief, the DSO certifies 

that: 

(a) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

in good academic standing and is 

carrying a ‘‘full course of study’’ 53 at the 

time of the request for employment 

authorization; 

(b) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

a citizen of Afghanistan, regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Afghanistan), and is 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Afghanistan, as documented on the 

Form I–20; 

(c) The F–1 nonimmigrant student has 

confirmed that the student will comply 

with the reduced course load 

requirements of this notice and register 

for the duration of the authorized 

employment for a minimum of six 

semester or quarter hours of instruction 

per academic term if at the 

undergraduate level, or for a minimum 

of three semester or quarter hours of 

instruction per academic term if the 

student is at the graduate level; 54 and 

(d) The off-campus employment is 

necessary to alleviate severe economic 

hardship to the individual as a direct 

result of the current armed conflict and 

current humanitarian crisis in 

Afghanistan. 

Processing. To facilitate prompt 

adjudication of the student’s application 

for off-campus employment 

authorization under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C), the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student should do both of the following: 

(a) Ensure that the application 

package includes the following 

documents: 

(1) A completed Form I–765 with all 

applicable supporting evidence; 

(2) The required fee or properly 

documented fee waiver request as 

defined in 8 CFR 103.7(c) (Oct. 1, 2020); 

and 

(3) A signed and dated copy of the 

student’s Form I–20 with the 

appropriate DSO recommendation, as 

previously described in this notice; and 

(b) Send the application in an 

envelope which is clearly marked on the 

front of the envelope, bottom right-hand 

side, with the phrase ‘‘SPECIAL 

STUDENT RELIEF.’’ 55 Failure to 

include this notation may result in 

significant processing delays. 

If USCIS approves the student’s Form 

I–765, USCIS will send the student a 

Form I–766 EAD as evidence of 

employment authorization. The EAD 

will contain an expiration date that does 

not exceed the end of the granted 

temporary relief. 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 

Considerations 

Can an F–1 nonimmigrant student apply 

for TPS and for benefits under this 

notice at the same time? 

Yes. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

who has not yet applied for TPS or for 

other relief that reduces the student’s 

course load per term and permits an 

increased number of work hours per 

week, such as Special Student Relief,56

under this notice has two options. 

Under the first option, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may apply for 

TPS according to the instructions in the 

USCIS notice designating Afghanistan 

for TPS elsewhere in this issue of the 

Federal Register. All TPS applicants 

must file a Form I–821, Application for 

Temporary Protected Status, with the 

appropriate fee (or request a fee waiver). 

Although not required to do so, if F–1 

nonimmigrant students want to obtain a 

new TPS-related EAD that is valid 

through May 20, 2025, and to be eligible 

for automatic EAD extensions that may 

be available to certain EADs with an A– 

12 or C–19 category code, they must file 

Form I–765 and pay the Form I–765 fee 

(or request a fee waiver). After receiving 

the TPS-related EAD, an F–1 

nonimmigrant student may request that 

their DSO make the required entry in 

SEVIS, issue an updated Form I–20, as 

described in this notice, and notate that 

the nonimmigrant student has been 

authorized to carry a reduced course 

load and is working pursuant to a TPSrelated EAD. As long as the F–1 

nonimmigrant student maintains the 

minimum course load described in this 

notice, does not otherwise violate their 

nonimmigrant status, including as 

provided under 8 CFR 214.1(g), and 

maintains TPS, then the student 

maintains F–1 status and TPS 

concurrently. 

Under the second option, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may apply for an 

EAD under Special Student Relief by 

filing Form I–765 with the location 

specified in the filing instructions. At 

the same time, the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student may file a separate TPS 

application but must submit the Form I– 

821 according to the instructions 

provided in the Federal Register notice 

designating Afghanistan for TPS. If the 

F–1 nonimmigrant student has already 

applied for employment authorization 

under Special Student Relief, they are 

not required to submit the Form I–765 

as part of the TPS application. However, 

some nonimmigrant students may wish 

to obtain a TPS-related EAD in light of 

certain extensions that may be available 

to EADs with an A–12 or C–19 category 

code that are not available to the C–3 

category under which Special Student 

Relief falls. The F–1 nonimmigrant 

student should check the appropriate 

box when filling out Form I–821 to 

indicate whether a TPS-related EAD is 

being requested. Again, as long as the F– 

1 nonimmigrant student maintains the 

minimum course load described in this 

notice and does not otherwise violate 

the student’s nonimmigrant status, 

included as provided under 8 CFR 

214.1(g), the nonimmigrant will be able 

to maintain compliance requirements 

for F–1 nonimmigrant student status 

while having TPS. 

When a student applies simultaneously 

for TPS and benefits under this notice, 

what is the minimum course load 

requirement while an application for 

employment authorization is pending? 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

maintain normal course load 

requirements for a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 57 unless or until the 

nonimmigrant student receives 

employment authorization under this 

notice. TPS-related employment 

authorization, by itself, does not 

authorize a nonimmigrant student to 

drop below twelve credit hours, or 

otherwise applicable minimum 

requirements (e.g., clock hours for nontraditional academic programs). Once 

approved for a TPS-related EAD and 

Special Student Relief employment 

authorization, as indicated by the DSO’s 

required entry in SEVIS and issuance of 

an updated Form I–20, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may drop below 

twelve credit hours, or otherwise 

applicable minimum requirements (with 

a minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the undergraduate level, or for a 

minimum of three semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the graduate level). See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v), (f)(6), and (f)(9)(i) and (ii). 

How does a student who has received a 

TPS-related EAD then apply for 

authorization to take a reduced course 

load under this notice? 

There is no further application 

process with USCIS if a student has 

been approved for a TPS-related EAD. 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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58Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of May 20, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

demonstrate and provide 

documentation to the DSO of the direct 

economic hardship resulting from the 

current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The 

DSO will then verify and update the 

student’s record in SEVIS to enable the 

F–1 nonimmigrant student with TPS to 

reduce the course load without any 

further action or application. No other 

EAD needs to be issued for the F–1 

nonimmigrant student to have 

employment authorization. 

Can a noncitizen who has been granted 

TPS apply for reinstatement of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status after the 

noncitizen’s F–1 nonimmigrant student 

status has lapsed? 

Yes. Regulations permit certain 

students who fall out of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status to apply 

for reinstatement. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16). This provision may apply 

to students who worked on a TPSrelated EAD or dropped their course 

load before publication of this notice, 

and therefore fell out of student status. 

These students must satisfy the criteria 

set forth in the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status reinstatement regulations. 

How long will this notice remain in 

effect? 

This notice grants temporary relief 

until May 20, 2025,58 to eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students. DHS will 

continue to monitor the situation in 

Afghanistan. Should the special 

provisions authorized by this notice 

need modification or extension, DHS 

will announce such changes in the 

Federal Register. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student seeking 

off-campus employment authorization 

due to severe economic hardship 

resulting from the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Afghanistan must demonstrate to the 

DSO that this employment is necessary 

to avoid severe economic hardship. A 

DSO who agrees that a nonimmigrant 

student should receive such 

employment authorization must 

recommend an application approval to 

USCIS by entering information in the 

remarks field of the student’s SEVIS 

record. The authority to collect this 

information is in the SEVIS collection of 

information currently approved by the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) under OMB Control Number 

1653–0038. 

This notice also allows an eligible F– 

1 nonimmigrant student to request 

employment authorization, work an 

increased number of hours while the 

academic institution is in session, and 

reduce their course load while 

continuing to maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. 

To apply for employment 

authorization, certain F–1 

nonimmigrant students must complete 

and submit a currently approved Form 

I–765 according to the instructions on 

the form. OMB has previously approved 

the collection of information contained 

on the current Form I–765, consistent 

with the PRA (OMB Control Number 

1615–0040). Although there will be a 

slight increase in the number of Form I– 

765 filings because of this notice, the 

number of filings currently contained in 

the OMB annual inventory for Form I– 

765 is sufficient to cover the additional 

filings. Accordingly, there is no further 

action required under the PRA. 

Alejandro Mayorkas, 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security. 

[FR Doc. 2023–20789 Filed 9–21–23; 4:15 pm] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

[CIS No. 2755–23; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 

2022–0004] 

RIN 1615–ZB94 

Extension and Redesignation of 

Afghanistan for Temporary Protected 

Status 

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services (USCIS), 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS). 

ACTION: Notice of Temporary Protected 

Status (TPS) extension and 

redesignation. 

SUMMARY: Through this notice, the 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) announces that the Secretary of 

Homeland Security (Secretary) is 

extending the designation of 

Afghanistan for Temporary Protected 

Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning 

on November 21, 2023, and ending on 

May 20, 2025. This extension allows 

existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS 

through May 20, 2025, so long as they 

otherwise continue to meet the 

eligibility requirements for TPS. 

Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to 

extend their status through May 20, 

2025, must re-register during the 60-day 

re-registration period described in this 

notice. The Secretary is also 

redesignating Afghanistan for TPS. The 

redesignation of Afghanistan allows 

additional Afghan nationals (and 

individuals having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Afghanistan) 

who have been continuously residing in 

the United States since September 20, 

2023, to apply for TPS for the first time 

during the initial registration period 

described under the redesignation 

information in this notice. In addition to 

demonstrating continuous residence in 

the United States since September 20, 

2023, and meeting other eligibility 

criteria, initial applicants for TPS under 

this designation must demonstrate that 

they have been continuously physically 

present in the United States since 

November 21, 2023, the effective date of 

this redesignation of Afghanistan for 

TPS. 

DATES: 

Extension of Designation of 

Afghanistan for TPS: The 18-month 

designation of Afghanistan for TPS 

begins on November 21, 2023, and will 

remain in effect for 18 months, ending 

on May 20, 2025. The extension impacts 

existing beneficiaries of TPS. 

Re-Registration: The 60-day reregistration period for existing 

beneficiaries runs from September 25, 

2023 through November 24, 2023. (Note: 

It is important for re-registrants to 

timely re-register during the registration 

period and not to wait until their 

Employment Authorization Documents 

(EADs) expire, as delaying reregistration 

could result in gaps in their 

employment authorization 

documentation.) 

Redesignation of Afghanistan for TPS: 

The 18-month redesignation of 

Afghanistan for TPS begins on 

November 21, 2023, and will remain in 

effect for 18 months, ending on May 20, 

2025. The redesignation impacts 

potential first-time applicants and 

others who do not currently have TPS. 

First-time Registration: The initial 

registration period for new applicants 

under the Afghanistan TPS 

redesignation begins on September 25, 

2023 and will remain in effect through 

May 20, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

• You may contact Rena ́ CutlipMason, Chief, Humanitarian Affairs 


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