93634 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 27, 2024 / 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 27, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

Community Community map repository address 

Florence County, South Carolina and Incorporated Areas 

Docket No.: FEMA–B–2371 

City of Florence ........................................................................................ City Center, 324 West Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501. 

Unincorporated Areas of Florence County ............................................... Florence County Planning and Building, 518 South Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501. 

Spink County, South Dakota and Incorporated Areas 

Docket No.: FEMA–B–2380 

City of Ashton ........................................................................................... City Hall, 14 Main Street, Ashton, SD 57424. 

City of Conde ............................................................................................ City Hall, 343 Broadway Street, Conde, SD 57434. 

City of Doland ........................................................................................... City Hall, 106 North 2nd Street, Doland, SD 57436. 

City of Frankfort ........................................................................................ City Hall, 404 Maple Street, Frankfort, SD 57440. 

City of Redfield ......................................................................................... City Hall, 626 Main Street, Redfield, SD 57469. 

Town of Northville ..................................................................................... Town Hall, 402 Thayer Street, Northville, SD 57465. 

Town of Tulare ......................................................................................... Community Hall, 112 Main Street, Tulare, SD 57476. 

Town of Turton ......................................................................................... Farmers State Bank, 123 East Center Street, Turton, SD 57477. 

Unincorporated Areas of Spink County .................................................... Spink County Courthouse, 210 East 7th Avenue, Redfield, SD 57469. 

Buckingham County, Virginia and Incorporated Areas 

Docket No.: FEMA–B–2375 

Unincorporated Areas of Buckingham County ......................................... Buckingham County Administration Building, 13380 West James Anderson Highway, Buckingham, VA 23921. 

[FR Doc. 2024–27725 Filed 11–26–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–12–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2024–0010] 

RIN 1653–ZA54 

Employment Authorization for 

Lebanese F–1 Nonimmigrant Students 

Experiencing Severe Economic 

Hardship as a Direct Result of the 

Current 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 F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Lebanon 

who are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

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 November 27, 2024, and 

ending on May 27, 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, 

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 Lebanon regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Lebanon), 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 

crisis in Lebanon. Previously, DHS 

issued a notice which applied to F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Lebanon 

who met certain criteria, including 

having been lawfully present in the 

United States in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status on July 26, 2024, that was 

effective through January 25, 2026. See 

89 FR 83897 (Oct. 18, 2024). While 

DHS’s prior notice remains effective for 

eligible F–1 nonimmigrant students, 

effective with this publication, 

suspension of the employment 

limitations is also available through 

May 27, 2026, 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 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 November 27, 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 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 27, 2024 / Notices 93635 

2Hezbollah (also spelled ‘‘Hizballah’’) was 

designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 

1997. See U.S. Dep’t of State, Country Reports on 

Terrorism 2022, 276, Nov. 30, 2023, available at 

https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/ 

11/Country_Reports_on_Terrorism_2022-v3.pdf 

(accessed Nov. 8, 2024). 

3 Instability in Lebanon, Global Conflict Tracker, 

Center for Preventive Action, Council on Foreign 

Relations, Oct. 28, 2024, available at https://

www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/ 

political-instability-lebanon (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

4Famine Early Warning System, Escalating 

conflict leads to rising population in need of food 

assistance, Sept. 2024, available at https://fews.net/ 

middle-east-and-asia/lebanon/key-message-update/ 

september-2024 (last visited Nov. 5, 2024); Mass 

displacement in Lebanon war revives spectre of 

sectarian strife, Reuters, Oct. 15, 2024, available at 

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/massdisplacement-lebanon-war-revives-spectresectarian-strife-2024-10-15 (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

5 Instability in Lebanon, Global Conflict Tracker, 

Center for Preventive Action, Council on Foreign 

Relations, Oct. 28, 2024, available at https://

www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/ 

political-instability-lebanon (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

6ReliefWeb, Statement by the Humanitarian 

Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, on the OneYear Mark of Escalations in Lebanon, Oct. 9, 2024, 

available at https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/ 

statement-humanitarian-coordinator-lebanonimran-riza-one-year-mark-escalations-lebanon-9- 

october-2024-enar (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

7Melanie Lidman, Bassam Hatoum, and Bassem 

Mroue, Israel expands its bombardment in Lebanon 

as thousands flee widening war, AP, Oct. 5, 2024, 

available at https://apnews.com/article/mideastwars-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas-5-october-2024- 

a8b70daeccc57a86fc6d939c604f2caf (last visited 

Nov. 5, 2024). 

8BBC, Israel-Hezbollah conflict in maps: Where 

is fighting happening in Lebanon, Oct. 17, 2024, 

available at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ 

c9vp7dg3ml1o (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

9 Id. 

10NPR, Israel begins ground offensive in 

Lebanon, Oct. 1, 2024, available at https://

www.npr.org/2024/10/01/g-s1-25657/israel-groundoffensive-lebanon (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

11The World Bank, Lebanon Economic Monitor, 

Spring 2021: Lebanon Sinking (to the Top 3), 

available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ 

lebanon/publication/lebanon-economic-monitorspring-2021-lebanon-sinking-to-the-top-3 (last 

visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

12Bassem Mroue, IMF warns Lebanon that the 

country is still facing enormous challenges, years 

after a meltdown began, Reuters, Sept. 15, 2023, 

available at https://apnews.com/article/lebanonimf-central-bank-sayrafa-banks-meltdown0d56ddea8dc9510d110959f794a06ed9 (last visited 

Nov. 5, 2024). 

13World Bank, Lebanon Poverty and Equity 

Assessment 2024: Weathering a Protracted Crisis 

(English). Washington, D.C: World Bank Group, 

May 23, 2024, available at http://

documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/ 

099052224104516741/ 

P1766511325da10a71ab6b1ae97816dd20c (last 

visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

14United Nations Economic and Social 

Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), 

Multidimensional poverty in Lebanon (2019–2021), 

available at https://www.unescwa.org/sites/default/ 

files/news/docs/21-00634-_multidimentional_

poverty_in_lebanon_-policy_brief_-_en.pdf (last 

visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

15United Nations, Around 2 million facing food 

insecurity across Lebanon, Jan. 19, 2023, available 

at https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132642 

(last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

16Flash Appeal: Lebanon, October—December 

2024, OCHA, October 2024, available at https://

www.unocha.org/publications/report/lebanon/ 

flash-appeal-lebanon-october-december-2024- 

october-2024 (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

17 Id. 

18 Id. 

19The Washington Post, Pandora Papers: Leaks 

prompt investigations in some countries—and 

denial in others, Oct. 9, 2021, available at: https:// 

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/10/09/ 

russia-ukraine-jordan-lebanon-pandora-papers/ 

(last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

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 

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 Lebanese F–1 nonimmigrant students 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

due to the current crisis in Lebanon. 

Based on its review of country 

conditions in Lebanon and input 

received from the U.S. Department of 

State (DOS), DHS is taking action to 

allow eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

students from Lebanon 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. 

Lebanon faces multiple and 

competing security threats, including 

political instability, civil unrest and 

violence, spill-over from the Syrian civil 

war, and increased border tension 

between Hezbollah 2 and Israel.3

Additionally, the deteriorating 

economic situation has led to alarming 

levels of poverty, food insecurity, and 

crumbling infrastructure.4

Security Concerns 

Since October 7, 2023, there has been 

an escalation of hostilities across the 

Lebanon-Israel border between Israeli 

forces and Hezbollah.5 As of early 

October 2024, the conflict between 

Israel and Hezbollah escalated 

significantly.6 Increased Israeli 

airstrikes in Lebanon, including urban 

regions in and around Beirut, have 

resulted in civilian casualties and 

displacement.7 According to Lebanese 

authorities, more than 2,300 people 

have been killed since October 2023 and 

1.2 million people have been forced to 

flee their homes.8 On September 30, 

2024, Israel launched a ground invasion 

into southern Lebanon days after an 

Israeli air strike killed Hassan Nasrallah, 

the leader of Hezbollah.9 Rising tensions 

between Israel and Hezbollah have 

resulted in the evacuation of both Israeli 

and Lebanese residents in communities 

along both sides of the shared border.10

Economic Crisis 

The recent intensification of military 

conflict and population displacement 

has exacerbated an existing economic 

crisis in Lebanon. In 2021, the 

International Monetary Fund (IMF) 

estimated that Lebanon’s economic 

collapse may be the third worst 

economic crisis in the world since the 

mid-nineteenth century.11 Four years 

after the collapse, in September 2023, 

the IMF warned that ‘‘the small nation 

is still facing ‘enormous economic 

challenges,’ with a collapsed banking 

sector, eroding public services, 

deteriorating infrastructure, inflation, 

and worsening poverty.’’ 12

Poverty in Lebanon has more than 

tripled over the past decade reaching 44 

percent of the total population in 

2022.13 Families in Lebanon are 

described as multidimensionally poor, 

with ‘‘rising deprivation in the areas of 

health care, medicines, services, 

education employment, housing and 

assets.’’ 14 Protective food subsidies 

have ended and living costs have risen 

dramatically, preventing families from 

accessing enough food and other basic 

needs each day.15

This economic crisis has caused 

Lebanon’s Gross Domestic Product to 

‘‘decrease from $54.9 billion in 2018 to 

$17.94 billion in 2023.’’ 16 Additionally, 

Lebanon is grappling with 

hyperinflation, which is eroding the 

purchasing power of much of the 

Lebanese population.17 Data from June 

2023 indicates ‘‘that 59 percent of 

Lebanese households (and of these 86 

percent of female headed households), 

excluding refugees, faced substantial 

challenges in meeting their needs, 

primarily driven by disrupted 

livelihoods.’’ 18

Political Crisis 

Since 2021, reports have implicated 

current and former Lebanese prime 

ministers in corruption cases.19 More 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
93636 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 27, 2024 / Notices 

20Lebanon’s president leaves with no 

replacement amid political, economic crisis, PBS 

News Hour, Oct. 30, 2022, available at https://

www.pbs.org/newshour/world/lebanons-presidentleaves-with-no-replacement-amid-politicaleconomic-crisis (last visited Nov. 5, 2024); Matt 

Bradley, Analysis: As was rages, some in Lebanon 

see opportunity in a weakened Hezbollah, NBC 

News, Oct. 4, 2024, available at https://

www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-hezbollahwar-nasrallah-airstrikes-hamas-gazaassassinations-rcna173851 (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

21 Key Developments in 2023: Lebanon, Freedom 

House, 2023, available at https://freedomhouse.org/ 

country/lebanon/freedom-world/2024 (last visited 

Nov. 5, 2024). 

22Matt Bradley, Analysis: As war rages, some in 

Lebanon see opportunity in a weakened Hezbollah, 

NBC News, Oct. 4, 2024, available at https://

www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-hezbollahwar-nasrallah-airstrikes-hamas-gazaassassinations-rcna173851 (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

23 Instability in Lebanon, Global Conflict Tracker, 

Center for Preventive Action, Council on Foreign 

Relations, Oct. 28, 2024, available at https://

www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/ 

political-instability-lebanon (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

24 International Organization for Migration, 

Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2024, available at 

https://crisisresponse.iom.int/response/lebanoncrisis-response-plan-2024 (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

25Human Rights Watch, Lebanon: Nationwide 

Electricity Blackout, Aug. 29, 2024, available at 

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/08/29/lebanonnationwide-electricity-blackout (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

26 Id. 

27Human Rights Watch, ‘‘Cut Off From Life 

Itself’’ Lebanon’s Failure on the Right to Electricity, 

Mar. 9, 2023, available at https://www.hrw.org/ 

report/2023/03/09/cut-life-itself/lebanons-failureright-electricity (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

28 Id. 

29United Nations Office for the Coordination of 

Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Today’s top news: 

Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, 

Sudan, Oct. 7, 2024, available at https://

www.unocha.org/news/todays-top-news-israel-andoccupied-palestinian-territory-lebanon-sudan (last 

visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

30 Id; World Food Programme, Lebanon, available 

at https://www.wfp.org/countries/lebanon (last 

visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

31 Id. 

32OCHA, Lebanon Flash Update #37, Oct. 23, 

2024, available at https://reliefweb.int/report/ 

lebanon/lebanon-flash-update-37-escalationhostilities-lebanon-21-october-2024 (last visited 

Nov. 5, 2024) 

33OCHA, Lebanon Flash Update #37, Oct. 23, 

2024, available at https://reliefweb.int/report/ 

lebanon/lebanon-flash-update-37-escalationhostilities-lebanon-21-october-2024 (last visited 

Nov. 5, 2024) 

34The United Nations High Commissioner for 

Human Rights Syria Flash Update #17, Sept. 24–Oct 

20, 2024, available at https://reporting.unhcr.org/ 

syrian-arab-republic-response-displacementlebanon-flash-update-17 (last visited Nov. 5, 2024); 

OCHA, Lebanon Flash Update #37, Oct. 23, 2024, 

available at https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/ 

lebanon-flash-update-37-escalation-hostilitieslebanon-21-october-2024 (last visited Nov. 5, 2024); 

OCHA, Iraq Flash Update #14: Update on 

Displacement from Lebanon, Oct. 20, 2024, 

available at https://reliefweb.int/report/iraq/iraqflash-update-14-update-displacement-lebanon-20- 

october-2024 (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

35U.S. Dep’t of State, United States Provides 

Humanitarian Assistance in Response to the 

Escalating Crisis in Lebanon, Oct. 4, 2024, available 

at https://www.state.gov/united-states-provideshumanitarian-assistance-in-response-to-theescalating-crisis-in-lebanon/ (last visited Nov. 5, 

2024). 

36European Commission, Lebanon, available at 

https://civil-protection-humanitarianaid.ec.europa.eu/where/middle-east-and-northernafrica/lebanon_en (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

37 Id. 

38OCHA, Today’s top news: Israel and Occupied 

Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Sudan, Oct. 7, 2024, 

available at https://www.unocha.org/news/todaystop-news-israel-and-occupied-palestinian-territorylebanon-sudan (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

39OCHA, Today’s top news: Israel and Occupied 

Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Sudan, Oct. 7, 2024, 

available at https://www.unocha.org/news/todaystop-news-israel-and-occupied-palestinian-territorylebanon-sudan (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

40World Food Programme, Lebanon, available at 

https://www.wfp.org/countries/lebanon (last visited 

Nov. 5, 2024). 

41Flash Appeal: Lebanon, October–December 

2024, OCHA, October 2024, available at https://

www.unocha.org/publications/report/lebanon/ 

flash-appeal-lebanon-october-december-2024- 

october-2024 (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

crucially, Lebanon has not had a 

President since 2022, when Michel 

Aoun stepped down a day before his 

presidential term expired.20 The 

country’s affairs are run by an unelected 

caretaker government; 21 with no elected 

president, passage of new legislation 

and much needed economic reform is 

not occurring.22 Moreover, since the 

hostilities increased between Israel and 

Hezbollah, tensions have also increased 

between Hezbollah and Sunni and 

Maronite factions in the government, 

making political agreements unlikely in 

the near-term.23

The inability to effectively govern in 

Lebanon has resulted in financial 

insolvency, crumbling infrastructure, 

and the inability to provide basic 

services including access to electricity 

and fuel.24 Human Rights Watch 

reported that, ‘‘[o]n August 17, 2024, 

Lebanon’s only operational power plant 

shut down after the state-run electricity 

company . . . ran out of fuel, resulting 

in a complete nationwide power 

outage.’’ 25 This outage left residents of 

Lebanon and key state services like ‘‘the 

airport, water pump stations, sewage 

systems, and prisons, without stateprovided electricity for more than 24 

hours, and reliant on costly and highly 

polluting private diesel generators.’’ 26

The Lebanese state is unable to provide 

the vast majority of residents with more 

than one to three hours of electricity per 

day.27 This lack of access to electricity 

has adversely impacted Lebanese 

residents’ access to education, health, 

water, sanitation, and a healthy 

environment.28

Humanitarian Concerns 

The economic crisis, government 

failings, and increasingly escalating 

conflict have worsened an already 

fragile humanitarian situation in 

Lebanon.29 Access to sufficient food, 

water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, 

income, essential commodities, and 

healthcare have decreased.30

Humanitarian needs continue to 

increase amid the escalating hostilities 

in Lebanon, exacerbated by the damage 

to vital infrastructure and the scale of 

internal and external displacement from 

conflict-affected areas of the country.31

As of October 21, 2024, over 800,000 

individuals were internally displaced in 

Lebanon.32 More than 191,000 

individuals have sought shelter in over 

1,000 collective shelters, the vast 

majority of which are operating at full 

capacity.33 Furthermore, the United 

Nations High Commissioner for 

Refugees estimates that approximately 

425,000 people, including Syrians and 

Lebanese, have crossed from Lebanon 

into Syria since September, while more 

than 16,000 Lebanese have arrived in 

Iraq from Lebanon.34 On October 4, 

2024, the U.S. committed to providing 

nearly $157 million in new 

humanitarian assistance to support 

populations affected by conflict in 

Lebanon and the region.35

Access to health care had been 

drastically reduced due to financial 

barriers and lack of medicine in 

Lebanon.36 The current hostilities have 

aggravated the issues, with services 

struggling to respond to the needs of the 

displaced and conflict-affected,37 and 

health care facilities have been either 

destroyed or closed due to the 

conflict.38

Access to food and potable water 

continue to be limited. As of October 

2024, ‘‘at least 25 water facilities [were] 

damaged affecting more than 300,000 

people.’’ 39 According to the World 

Food Programme, 2.5 million people of 

the 5.3 million population need food 

assistance and 2.5 million, 47.5 percent, 

of people in Lebanon (including 

Lebanese nationals and refugees) are 

food insecure.40

Moreover, increasing levels of internal 

displacement are exacerbating the 

challenges facing Lebanon, including 

those related to hosting the substantial 

Syrian refugee population.41 Children 

have also been impacted by the conflict. 

The start of the new school year has 

been postponed until November 4, 2024, 

as 75 percent of the country’s public 

schools have been converted into 

shelters to accommodate the influx of 

internally displaced persons that have 

departed conflict-affected areas of 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 27, 2024 / Notices 93637 

42ReliefWeb, Statement by the Humanitarian 

Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, on the OneYear Mark of Escalations in Lebanon, Oct. 9, 2024, 

available at https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/ 

statement-humanitarian-coordinator-lebanonimran-riza-one-year-mark-escalations-lebanon-9- 

october-2024-enar (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

43European Commission, Lebanon, available at 

https://civil-protection-humanitarianaid.ec.europa.eu/where/middle-east-and-northernafrica/lebanon_en (last visited Nov. 5, 2024). 

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 27, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

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

Lebanon since the recent escalation.42

According to the European Commission, 

‘‘[m]ore than 10 percent of the 1.2 

million school-aged Lebanese children 

are out of school, mainly due to 

economic vulnerabilities.’’ 43

As of November 7, 2024, 1,760 F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Lebanon 

are enrolled at SEVP-certified academic 

institutions in the United States. Given 

the extent of the current crisis 

exacerbated by recent escalating 

violence, conflict and displacement 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 Lebanon 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].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 while in 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 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
93638 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 27, 2024 / Notices 

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 

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 27, 2026, 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. 

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 November 27, 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); 

(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 

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 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 

F–1 nonimmigrant students from 

Lebanon 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 Lebanon 

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

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 crisis in 

Lebanon. 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’’ 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. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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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 27, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

53See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

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

55Students 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). 

56See DHS Study in the States, Special Student 

Relief, available at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/ 

students/special-student-relief (last visited Feb. 28, 

2024). 

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). 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 crisis in Lebanon.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 $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 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].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 

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 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 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 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 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 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.’’ 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 Lebanon for 

TPS elsewhere in this issue of the 

Federal Register. All TPS applicants 

must file a Form I–821, Application for 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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57See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 58See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

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 27, 2026, 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 

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 Lebanon 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 

demonstrate and provide 

documentation to the DSO of the direct 

economic hardship resulting from the 

current crisis in Lebanon. 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. 

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 

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’’ 58 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 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 27, 2024 / Notices 93641 

59Because 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 27, 2026, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

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 

until May 27, 2026,59 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 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 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. 2024–27787 Filed 11–26–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–CB–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

[CIS No. 2789–25; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 

2024–0015] 

RIN 1615–ZC11 

Designation of Lebanon for Temporary 

Protected Status 

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services (USCIS), 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS). 

ACTION: Notice of Temporary Protected 

Status (TPS) designation. 

SUMMARY: Through this notice, the 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) announces that the Secretary of 

Homeland Security (Secretary) is 

designating Lebanon for Temporary 

Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, 

beginning on November 27, 2024, and 

ending on May 27, 2026. This 

designation allows Lebanese nationals 

(and individuals having no nationality 

who last habitually resided in Lebanon) 

who have continuously resided in the 

United States since October 16, 2024, 

and who have been continuously 

physically present in the United States 

since November 27, 2024, to apply for 

TPS. 

DATES: Designation of Lebanon for TPS 

begins on November 27, 2024, and will 

remain in effect for 18 months. For 

registration instructions, see the 

Registration Information section below. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

• You may contact Rena ́ CutlipMason, Chief, Humanitarian Affairs 

Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services, Department of Homeland 

Security, by mail at 5900 Capital 

Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 

20746, or by phone at 240–721–3000. 

• For further information on TPS, 

including guidance on the registration 

process and additional information on 

eligibility, please visit the USCIS TPS 

web page at https://uscis.gov/tps. You 

can find specific information about 

Lebanon’s TPS designation by selecting 

‘‘Lebanon’’ from the menu on the left 

side of the TPS web page. 

• If you have additional questions 

about TPS, please visit https://uscis.gov/ 

tools. Our online virtual assistant, 

Emma, can answer many of your 

questions and point you to additional 

information on our website. If you 

cannot find your answers there, you 

may also call our USCIS Contact Center 

at 800–375–5283 (TTY 800–767–1833). 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1