Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices 5557 

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 September 30, 2025, provided 

the student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2023–0017] 

RIN 1653–ZA45 

Employment Authorization for Syrian 

F–1 Nonimmigrant Students 

Experiencing Severe Economic 

Hardship as a Direct Result of the 

Current Armed Conflict and Current 

Humanitarian Crisis in Syria 

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 Syria, regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Syria), and who are 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Syria. The Secretary is taking action 

to provide relief to these Syrian students 

who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant 

student 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. 

DATES: This action is effective April 1, 

2024, through September 30, 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 Syria regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Syria), 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 current 

armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Syria. The 

original notice, which applied to F–1 

nonimmigrant students who met certain 

criteria, including having been lawfully 

present in the United States in F–1 

nonimmigrant status on April 3, 2012, 

was effective from April 3, 2012, 

through October 3, 2013. See 77 FR 

20038 (Apr. 3, 2012). A subsequent 

notice provided for an extension, 

effective from October 3, 2013, through 

March 31, 2015. See 78 FR 36211 (June 

17, 2013). A third notice provided 

another extension, effective from March 

31, 2015, through September 30, 2016. 

See 80 FR 232 (Jan. 5, 2015). A fourth 

notice provided another extension, 

effective from September 30, 2016, 

through March 31, 2018, and expanded 

the applicability of such suspension to 

Syrian F–1 nonimmigrant students who 

were in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status between April 3, 2012, 

and September 9, 2016. See 81 FR 62520 

(Sept. 9, 2016). A fifth notice provided 

another extension, effective from March 

31, 2018, through September 30, 2019. 

See 83 FR 11553 (Mar. 15, 2018). A 

sixth notice was provided, effective 

from April 22, 2021, through September 

30, 2022. See 86 FR 21333 (Apr. 22, 

2021). A seventh notice was provided, 

effective from October 1, 2022, through 

April 1, 2024. See 87 FR 46975 (Aug. 1, 

2022). Effective with this publication, 

suspension of the employment 

limitations is available through 

September 30, 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 Syria regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Syria); 

(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 Syria. 

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 Syrian F–1 nonimmigrant students 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

due to the current armed conflict and 

current humanitarian crisis in Syria. 

Based on its review of country 

conditions in Syria and input received 

from the U.S. Department of State 

(DOS), DHS is taking action to allow 

eligible F–1 nonimmigrant students 

from Syria 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. 

Increased violent conflict poses 

substantial risk to Syrians throughout 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
5558 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices 

2 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights 

Practices: Syria, U.S. Dept. of State, 2022, available 

at https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-countryreports-on-human-rights-practices/syria/ (last 

visited Dec. 7, 2023). 

3 Id. 

4 Global Peace Index 2023, The Institute for 

Economics and Peace, June 2023, available at 

https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/ 

uploads/2023/06/GPI-2023-Web.pdf (last visited 

Oct. 10, 2023). 

5A visual guide to 75 years of major refugee 

crises around the world, The Washington Post, Dec. 

21, 2015, available at https://www.washingtonpost.

com/graphics/world/historical-migrant-crisis/ (last 

visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

6 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview: Syrian 

Arab Republic, UNOCHA, Dec. 2022, available at 

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.

humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/ 

hno_2023-rev-1.12_1.pdf (last visited Oct. 10, 2023). 

7Syria Economic Monitor Winter 2022/2023, The 

World Bank, March 17, 2023, available at https:// 

www.worldbank.org/en/country/syria/publication/ 

syria-economic-monitor-winter-2022-2023#:

∼:text=Subject%20to%20high%20

uncertainty%2C%20real,3.5%20percent%20

decline%20in%20202 (last visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

8 Danny Makki, Syria’s economic freefall 

continues despite Arab League return, The Middle 

East Institute, Aug. 16, 2023, available at https://

www.mei.edu/publications/syrias-economicfreefall-continues-despite-arab-league-return (last 

visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

9 Id. 

10Earthquake undermines Syria’s Economic 

Outlook, Compounding Dire Socio-Economic 

Conditions, and Internal Displacement, The World 

Bank, March 17, 2023 Syria Economic Monitor 

Winter 2022/2023, The World Bank, March 17, 

2023, available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/ 

news/press-release/2023/03/17/earthquakeundermines-syria-s-economic-outlookcompounding-dire-socio-economic-conditions-andinternal-displacement (last visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

11Syria Economic Monitor Winter 2022/2023, 

The World Bank, March 17, 2023 available at 

https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/syria/ 

publication/syria-economic-monitor-winter-2022- 

2023#:∼:text=Subject%20to%20high%20

uncertainty%2C%20real,3.5%20percent%20

decline%20in%20202 (last visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

12Report of the Independent International 

Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab 

Republic, United Nations General Assembly Human 

Rights Council, Aug. 14, 2023, available at https:// 

documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G23/ 

155/49/PDF/G2315549.pdf?OpenElement (last 

visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

13 2022 Humanitarian Needs Overview: Syrian 

Arab Republic, UNOCHA, Feb. 22, 2022, available 

at https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/ 

2022-humanitarian-needs-overview-syrian-arabrepublic-february-2022 (last visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

14Syria—Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #8, 

Fiscal Year 2023, USAID, Aug. 16, 2023, available 

at https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/ 

syria-complex-emergency-fact-sheet-8-fiscal-year-fy2023 (last visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

15 Devastating Earthquakes in Southern Tu ̈rkiye 

and Northern Syria, Situation Report 20, 

International Blue Crescent Relief and Development 

Foundation, May 19, 2023, available at https://

reliefweb.int/report/turkiye/devastatingearthquakes-southern-turkiye-and-northern-syria18-may-2023-situation-report-23-entr. 

16Situation Syria Regional Refugee Response, 

UNHCR, available at https://data2.unhcr.org/en/ 

situations/syria, Oct. 5, 2023, (last visited Sept. 27, 

2023). 

17Syria—Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #8, 

Fiscal Year 2023, Aug. 16, 2023, available at https:// 

reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syriacomplex-emergency-fact-sheet-8-fiscal-year-fy-2023 

(last visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

18Syria Earthquake 2023 Rapid Damage and 

Needs Assessment (RDNA), The World Bank, March 

1, 2023, available at https://

documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/ 

documents-reports/documentdetail/ 

099093003162314369/ 

p1721710e2b4a60b40a5940f0793f8a0d24 (last 

visited Sept. 27, 2023). 

19 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview: Syrian 

Arab Republic, UNOCHA, Dec. 2022, available at 

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/ 

www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/ 

files/hno_2023-rev-1.12_1.pdf 

(humanitarianresponse.info) (last visited Oct. 10, 

2023). 

the country. The Syrian people remain 

subjected to conflict with no end in 

sight. Roughly 550,000 people have 

been killed as a result of the violence 

since the start of the Syrian conflict in 

2011.2 From January to December of 

2022, 1,057 civilians, including 251 

children and at least 158 women, died 

due to continued conflict.3 Syria is the 

third least peaceful country according to 

the 2023 Global Peace Index.4 Concerns 

for health and safety have led to massive 

civilian displacement within Syria as 

well as large-scale migration to 

neighboring countries and Europe, 

creating the largest influx of refugees 

into Europe since World War II.5

Continued economic concerns, internal 

conflict, and humanitarian concerns 

have created a severe, and worsening, 

humanitarian crisis that includes large 

scale population displacement.6

Economic Concerns 

The Syrian economy has been 

devastated by years of conflict, the 

February 6, 2023 earthquake, the 

financial crisis in Lebanon, and 

government corruption.7 The 

devaluation of the currency has put the 

value of the Syrian pound at an all-time 

low.8 The effects of the currency 

devaluation has greatly impacted 

ordinary citizens’ access to basic needs 

such as food, fuel and medication.9 The 

outlook for the future of the Syrian 

economy has been grim, even before the 

Kahramanmaras ̧ earthquake on February 

6, 2023. Additionally, the World Bank 

predicted that Syria’s real GDP would 

contract by 5.5 percent in 2023,10 based 

on rising costs of food and fuel, 

combined with myriad uncertainties 

including domestic conflict, damaged 

healthcare infrastructure, and a 

declining agricultural sector.11

Internal Conflict 

Security conditions remain dire for 

civilians in Syria and ‘‘[i]n 2022, Syria 

remain[ed] the third least peaceful 

country in the world according to the 

Global Peace Index (GPI). Ongoing 

hostilities, including artillery shelling, 

air strikes and land mines, continue to 

threaten the lives of civilians and 

hamper humanitarian activities.’’ 

Northwest Syria continues to see an 

uptick in conflict with recent ongoing 

regime and Russian airstrikes and 

retaliatory attacks. Civilians and civilian 

infrastructure are commonly the 

subjects of artillery shelling, especially 

in Idlib governorate. Additionally, 

civilians in the northwest Syria 

continue to face harm, especially those 

who run afoul of armed groups like 

U.S.-designated terrorist organization 

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Idlib. 

Continued conflict persists in 

government-controlled regions of Syria, 

with the Syrian Arab Air Force 

conducting frequent airstrikes. Central 

Syria also suffers from a power vacuum 

despite being nominally under 

government control. ISIS has exploited 

the minimal government presence in the 

area, conducting multiple attacks 

against civilians in the spring of 2023, 

including a massacre of 53 people on 

February 17, 2023.12

Humanitarian Concerns 

As the civil conflict in Syria 

continues into its 13th year, the number 

of people in Syria in need of 

humanitarian assistance has increased 

from 14.6 to 15.3 million since 2022.13 14

Additionally, northern Syria was 

subject to a deadly earthquake in 

February 2023, in which 8,476 people 

lost their lives.15 The United Nations 

High Commissioner for Refugees 

(UNHCR) reports 5,183,140 Syrian 

refugees in neighboring countries,16 and 

6.8 million people internally displaced 

(IDPs) within Syria.17 The conflict has 

resulted in high levels of food 

insecurity, limited access to water and 

medical care, and large-scale 

destruction of Syria’s infrastructure, 

which was only exacerbated by the 

earthquake in February 2023.18

Additionally, credible reports of 

indiscriminate killing and deliberate 

targeting of civilians, as well as forced 

conscription and use of child soldiers 

has intensified the humanitarian crisis 

in Syria since the start of 2022.19

As of December 8, 2023, 

approximately 349 F–1 nonimmigrant 

students from Syria are enrolled at 

SEVP-certified academic institutions in 

the United States. Given the extent of 

the current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Syria, affected 

students whose primary means of 

financial support comes from Syria may 

need to be exempt from the normal 

student employment requirements to 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices 5559 

20Because 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 Sept. 30, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

21See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

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 Syria 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 a Syrian citizen, regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Syria), who already has oncampus 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 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].20

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’’ 21 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 8 

CFR 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 Syria regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Syria); 

(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 Syria. 

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 Syria). 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
5560 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices 

22Because 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 Sept. 30, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

23See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

24Minimum 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. 

25See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

26Minimum 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 

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 Syria 

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 Syria 

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].22

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 Syria. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

authorized by the DSO to engage in oncampus 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 oncampus 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’’ 23 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.24

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’’ 25 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). 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.26


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices 5561 

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

students) enrolled at the school. 

27See 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(iii). 

28Because 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 Sept. 30, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

29See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

30 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). 

31 Guidance for direct filing addresses can be 

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

32See DHS Study in the States, Special Student 

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

special-student-relief (last visited Oct. 10, 2023). 

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 Syria.27 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 Syria. 

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].28

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 

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’’ 29 at the 

time of the request for employment 

authorization; 

(b) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

a citizen of Syria, regardless of country 

of birth (or an individual having no 

nationality who last habitually resided 

in Syria), and is experiencing severe 

economic hardship as a direct result of 

the current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Syria, 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; 30 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 Syria. 

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.’’ 31 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,32

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 Syria 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 September 30, 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 and issue an updated Form I– 

20, which notates that the 

nonimmigrant student has been 

authorized to carry a reduced course 

load, as described in this notice. 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 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
5562 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices 

33See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

34Because 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 Sept. 30, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

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 Syria 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’’ 33 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 

demonstrate and provide 

documentation to the DSO of the direct 

economic hardship resulting from the 

current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Syria. 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 September 30, 2025,34 to eligible 

F–1 nonimmigrant students. DHS will 

continue to monitor the situation in 

Syria. 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 Syria 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. 2024–01762 Filed 1–26–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

[CIS No. 2763–24; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 

2013–0001] 

RIN 1615–ZB72 

Extension and Redesignation of Syria 

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 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1