On April 21, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted Federal Register notices announcing the suspension of certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Venezuela and Syria who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a result of emergent circumstances in their country of citizenship.

The notice applies exclusively to F-1 nonimmigrant students who meet all of the following conditions:

• Are citizens of Venezuela or Syria,
• Were lawfully present in the United States in an F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021,
• Are enrolled in an SEVP-certified school,
• Are currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status, and
• Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela or ongoing civil unrest in Syria since March 2011.

If you are a non-immigrant F-1 student from Syria and Venezuela who meet the above conditions, you may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce your courseload while continuing to maintain F-1 nonimmigrant student status. 

The suspension of these requirements will remain in effect until:

• Sept. 9, 2022 for Venezuelan students.
• Sept. 30, 2022 for Syrian students.

If you meet the above conditions and have additional questions, please make an appointment with an OISS advisor.