Published: February 22, 2023
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues a new policy clarifying that it may grant off-campus SSR employment authorization to F-1 nonimmigrant students, if its duration is within the Federal Register notice validity period without exceeding the applicant’s academic program end date.
The duration of the Federal Register notice typically runs for 18 months.
Special Student Relief (SSR) Explained
Special Student Relief (SSR) refers to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative to suspend specific regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students living under challenging circumstances. Such regulatory requirements may refer to:
- duration of status
- full course of study
- off-campus employment eligibility
Impact to F-1 Nonimmigrant Students
Previously, the USCIS signified that it could issue off-campus SSR employment authorization for up to one year. However, this policy update explains that the DHS Secretary may exceed this limit to benefit eligible F-1 nonimmigrant students.
This policy update will apply to all pending and future SSR employment authorization applications.
Keep Up with Legal Changes Through Experienced Immigration Lawyers
Immigration policies can change a lot within a short span. It is understandable why many immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders feel overwhelmed by the developments. It is advisable to work with veteran immigration attorneys to guide you with all applicable policies.
ALG Lawyers is a Los Angeles-based immigration law firm ready to supplement your legal needs. We are more than happy to work with you.
(Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers. Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from a qualified attorney based on their individual circumstances. Thank you.)