Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2024 / Notices 83897 

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 January 25, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

2 ‘‘Over 90,000 People Displaced by Latest 

Military Escalation in Lebanon—IOM Scales Up Its 

Response,’’ International Organization for Migration 

(IOM), Sept. 25, 2024, available at https://

www.iom.int/news/over-90000-people-displacedlatest-military-escalation-lebanon-iom-scales-itsresponse (last visited Oct. 4, 2024). 

3Lebanon—Mobility Snapshot—Round 49—30– 

09–2024, IOM, Sept. 30, 2024, available at https:// 

dtm.iom.int/reports/lebanon-mobility-snapshotround-49-30-09-2024?close=true (last visited Oct. 4, 

2024). 

4 ‘‘Lebanon Emergency: Flash Update 1 October 

2024,’’ UNHCR, Oct. 1, 2024, available at https:// 

reporting.unhcr.org/lebanon-emergency-flashupdate-2 (last visited Oct. 4, 2024). 

experience, the submission of resumes 

highlighting experience in the maritime 

and security industries is encouraged. 

The Coast Guard does not 

discriminate in selection of Area 

Maritime Security Advisory Committee 

members on the basis of race, color, 

religion, sex, national origin, political 

affiliation, sexual orientation, gender 

identity, marital status, disability and 

genetic information, age, membership in 

an employee organization, or other nonmerit factor. The Coast Guard strives to 

achieve a widely diverse candidate pool 

for all of its recruitment actions. 

Dated: October 11, 2024. 

D.C. Barata, 

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal 

Maritime Security Coordinator Gulf of 

Mexico. 

[FR Doc. 2024–24164 Filed 10–17–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–04–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2024–0009] 

RIN 1653–ZA53 

Employment Authorization for Certain 

Lebanese F–1 Nonimmigrant Students 

Experiencing Severe Economic 

Hardship as a Direct Result of the 

Current Humanitarian Crisis in 

Lebanon 

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement; Department of Homeland 

Security. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS) is suspending certain 

regulatory requirements for certain 

Lebanese F–1 nonimmigrant students 

who are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. The 

Secretary is providing relief to these 

students who are in lawful F–1 

nonimmigrant 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 status. 

DATES: This action covers eligible 

Lebanese F–1 nonimmigrant students 

beginning on July 26, 2024, and ending 

on January 25, 2026. 

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 

(ICE), 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 the 

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

temporarily suspend the applicability of 

certain requirements governing oncampus and off-campus employment for 

F–1 nonimmigrant students whose 

country of citizenship is Lebanon 

regardless of country of birth (or 

individuals having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Lebanon), who 

were present in the United States in 

lawful F–1 nonimmigrant student status 

on July 26, 2024, and who are 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current 

humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. 

Effective with this publication, 

suspension of the employment 

limitations is available through January 

25, 2026, for those who were in lawful 

F–1 nonimmigrant status on July 26, 

2024. 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 Lebanon regardless 

of country of birth (or an individual 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Lebanon); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on July 26, 2024, 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 

humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. 

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 certain Lebanese F–1 nonimmigrant 

students experiencing severe economic 

hardship due to emergent circumstances 

presented by the current humanitarian 

crisis in Lebanon. See 8 CFR 

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

Humanitarian conditions in southern 

Lebanon have significantly deteriorated 

due to recent escalating tensions 

between Hezbollah and Israel. The 

International Organization for Migration 

(IOM) reported that 90,350 people had 

become newly displaced since 

September 19, 2024, following the latest 

military escalation.2 By September 30, 

2024, IOM had tracked the number of 

displaced individuals to 346,209.3

UNHCR reports that it has been 

approached by over 8,500 refugees who 

have fled their homes and displaced 

internally in Lebanon during the week 

prior to October 1, 2024, with the most 

urgent needs being access to safe 

shelters, core relief items, healthcare, 

food, cash assistance, and protection 

services.4 Citing to the deterioration of 

humanitarian conditions, on July 26, 

2024, President Joseph Biden issued a 

memorandum, directing the Secretary to 

defer for 18 months the removal of 

certain Lebanese nationals present in 

the United States by implementing 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
83898 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2024 / Notices 

5Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced 

Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals, The 

White House, July 26, 2024, available at https://

www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidentialactions/2024/07/26/memorandum-on-the-deferredenforced-departure-for-certain-lebanese-nationals/ 

(last visited July 26, 2024). 

6Because 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 January 25, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 7See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

Deferred Enforced Departure for those 

eligible individuals.5

As of July 26, 2024, approximately 

1,740 F–1 nonimmigrant students from 

Lebanon are enrolled at SEVP-certified 

academic institutions in the United 

States. Given the extent of the current 

humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, affected 

students whose primary means of 

financial support comes from Lebanon 

may need to be exempt from the normal 

student employment requirements to 

continue their studies in the United 

States. The current crisis has made it 

unfeasible for many students to safely 

return to Lebanon 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 Lebanese citizen regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Lebanon), 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 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].6

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’’ 7 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 while in F–2 

nonimmigrant status. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(15)(i). 

Will the suspension of the applicability 

of the standard student employment 

requirements apply to an individual 

who received 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 Lebanon regardless 

of country of birth (or an individual 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Lebanon); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on July 26, 2024, in F–1 

nonimmigrant status under section 

101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 

1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2024 / Notices 83899 

8Because 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 January 25, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

9See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

10Minimum 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. 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is SEVP-certified for 

enrollment of 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 

humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. 

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 humanitarian crisis 

in Lebanon). 

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 

Lebanese F–1 nonimmigrant students 

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 8 CFR 

214.2(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 Lebanese F– 

1 nonimmigrant students enrolled in an 

elementary school, middle school, or 

high school do 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].8

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 humanitarian 

crisis in Lebanon. 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 employment on-campus 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’’ 9 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.10

Off-Campus Employment Authorization 

What regulatory requirements does this 

notice temporarily suspend relating to 

off-campus employment? 

For an F–1 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 off-campus 

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 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
83900 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2024 / Notices 

11See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

12Minimum 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. 

13See 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(iii). 

14Because 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 January 25, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

15See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

16 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). 

17Students who wish to apply for a Special 

Student Relief-related EAD under this notice should 

use the mailing address specifically designated for 

(C)(3)(iii) filings. The direct filing address is 

available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses 

(last visited Sept. 12, 2024). 

‘‘full course of study’’ 11 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.12

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 humanitarian crisis in 

Lebanon.13 Filing instructions are 

located at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765. 

Fee considerations. Submission of a 

Form I–765 currently requires payment 

of a $520 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/i-912. 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 106.2 and 106.3. 

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 humanitarian crisis in 

Lebanon. 

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].14

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’’ 15 at the 

time of the request for employment 

authorization; 

(b) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

a citizen of Lebanon regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Lebanon), and is 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current 

humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, 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 at the 

graduate level; 16 and 

(d) The off-campus employment is 

necessary to alleviate severe economic 

hardship to the individual as a direct 

result of the current humanitarian crisis 

in Lebanon. 

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 all of 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 106.2 and 106.3; 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.’’ 17 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. 

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) 

Considerations 

Can an F–1 nonimmigrant student 

apply for a DED-related EAD and for 

benefits under this notice at the same 

time? 

Yes. Although they are not required to 

apply for a DED-related EAD, an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who meets the 

eligibility requirements under the 

applicable DED notice and wants to 

obtain such an EAD must file Form I– 

765 and pay the related fee (or request 

a fee waiver). The eligible F–1 student 

may also apply for Special Student 

Relief under this notice by requesting 

that the DSO notate on their Form I–20 

in SEVIS that the student has been 

authorized to carry a reduced course 

load and is permitted to work an 

increased number of hours under 

Special Student Relief while school is in 

session. The DSO should also notate on 

the Form I–20 that the student is 

working pursuant to a DED-related EAD. 

As long as the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student maintains the minimum course 

load described in this notice, does not 

otherwise violate the student’s 

nonimmigrant status, including as 

provided under 8 CFR 214.1(g), and 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2024 / Notices 83901 

18See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

19Because 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 January 25, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirement in this notice. 

remains covered under DED, then the 

student maintains F–1 nonimmigrant 

status and DED concurrently. 

When a student applies simultaneously 

for a DED-related EAD 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’’ 18 unless or until the F–1 

nonimmigrant student is granted 

employment authorization under this 

notice. DED-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 DED-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 the student is at the undergraduate 

level, or a minimum of three semester 

or quarter hours of instruction per 

academic term if the student is at the 

graduate level). See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v), 

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

How does an F–1 student who has 

received a DED-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 DED-related EAD. 

However, the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

must demonstrate and provide 

documentation to the DSO of severe 

economic hardship as a direct result of 

the current humanitarian crisis in 

Lebanon. The DSO will then verify and 

update the student’s SEVIS record to 

enable the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

with DED to reduce their 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 

a DED-related EAD apply for 

reinstatement to F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status after the noncitizen’s F– 

1 nonimmigrant student status has 

lapsed? 

Yes. Current 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 might apply 

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

load before July 26, 2024, and therefore 

fell out of F–1 nonimmigrant status. The 

student 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 

through January 25, 2026,19 to eligible 

F–1 nonimmigrant students. DHS will 

continue to monitor the situation in 

Lebanon. 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 humanitarian 

crisis in Lebanon 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 No. 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. 2024–24226 Filed 10–17–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–CB–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

[CIS No. 2782–24; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 

2024–0013] 

RIN 1615–ZC10 

Implementation of Employment 

Authorization for Individuals Covered 

by Deferred Enforced Departure for 

Lebanon 

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services (USCIS), 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS). 

ACTION: Notice of Employment 

Authorization for Individuals Covered 

by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). 

SUMMARY: On July 26, 2024, President 

Joseph Biden issued a memorandum to 

the Secretary of State and the Secretary 

of Homeland Security (Secretary) 

determining that it was in the foreign 

policy interest of the United States to 

defer for 18 months through January 25, 

2026, the removal of certain Lebanese 

nationals present in the United States 

and to provide them with employment 

authorization documentation. The 

memorandum directed the Secretary to 

make provision for immediate 

allowance of employment authorization 

for such individuals. This notice 

provides information about Deferred 

Enforced Departure (DED) for Lebanese 

nationals and provides information on 

how eligible individuals may apply for 

DED-based Employment Authorization 


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