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U.S. Department of Homeland Security is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Venezuela (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela), and who are experiencing severe economic hardship due to the crisis in Venezuela.

The Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Venezuela, regardless  of country of birth (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela), and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The Secretary is taking action to provide relief to those Venezuelan students who were in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant student status on April 22, 2021, and are currently maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant student status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant student who receives employment authorization by means of this notice to be engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for the duration of the employment authorization, if the nonimmigrant student satisfies the minimum course load requirement described in this notice. This F–1 visa action is effective from September 10, 2022, through March 10, 2024.

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 Venezuela regardless of country of birth (or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela;

(2) Were lawfully present in the United States 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), on April 22, 2021;

(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 humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

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.

For more information on Employment Authorization for Venezuelan F–1 Visa,

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