Rutgers Global Alerts

The information included here is intended to provide guidance and resources to all members of the Rutgers community regarding issues related to travel advisories, immigration policies, and other regulatory updates that impact international students and scholars, as well as domestic students and faculty traveling abroad.

DHS Announces Special Student Relief for Several Countries (including Lebanon, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Yemen), 10/29/24 +

Special Student Relief (SSR) is the suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for F‑1 and J-1 students from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances.  DHS may suspend or alter the following regulatory requirements for F-1 students: duration of status, full course of study and off-campus employment eligibility.  For J-1 students, the U.S. Department of State can temporarily modify on- and off-campus employment employment requirements and/or full course of study requirements.

DHS has announced the designation and/or extension of SSR for several different countries (listed below).  According to the SSR notices, F-1 students may be able to apply for employment authorization based on economic need. Please review the notices carefully to understand if and how they may apply to you.

For more information about SSR and to apply for employment authorization based on this notice, please review the information on the ISSS Economic Hardship Employment webpage and contact an International Student Adviser.

Please note: This special student relief is NOT automatic. You must first speak with an ISSS Adviser BEFORE you are able to receive any special student relief benefits. Do not drop course registration below full time until you have been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for this special work authorization

DHS Announces Special Student Relief for Ethiopia and Extends Special Student Relief for Yemen, Haiti, and Hong Kong, UPDATED: 5/12/23 +

Special Student Relief (SSR) is the suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for F‑1 students from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances. Regulatory requirements that may be suspended or altered for an F-1 student include duration of status, full course of study and off-campus employment eligibility. 

DHS has announced SSR or the suspension of certain regulatory requirements for F-1 students from Ethiopia who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a result of the emergent circumstances in their country of citizenship.  DHS has also extended SSR benefits for F-1 students from Yemen (until September 3, 2024), Haiti (until August 3, 2024), and Hong Kong (until February 5, 2025). According to the SSR notices, F-1 students may be able to apply for employment authorization based on economic need. Please review the notices carefully to understand if and how they may apply to you.

For F-1 Students from Ethiopia: 
Please note that the notice covers students who were lawfully present in the United States in F-1 status as of December 12, 2022 and need accommodations as a direct result of the current situation in Ethiopia. The suspension of the regulatory requirements under the SSR notice will remain in effect until June 12, 2024.

For F-1 Students from Yemen:
Please note that the notice covers students who were lawfully present in the United States in F-1 status as of January 3, 2023 and need accommodations as a direct result of the current situation in Yemen.  The suspension of the regulatory requirements under the SSR notice will remain in effect until September 3, 2024.

For F-1 Students from Haiti:
Please note that the notice covers students who were lawfully present in the United States in F-1 status as of January 26, 2023 and need accommodations as a direct result of the current situation in Haiti.  The suspension of the regulatory requirements under the SSR notice will remain in effect until August 3, 2024.

For F-1 Students from Hong Kong:
Please note that the notice covers F-1 students who are Hong Kong residents (regardless of country of birth); who were lawfully present in the United States in F-1 status as of January 26, 2023; and need accommodations as a direct result of the current situation in Hong Kong.  The suspension of the regulatory requirements under the SSR notice will remain in effect until February 5, 2025.

For more information about SSR and to apply for employment authorization based on this notice, please review the information on the ISSS Economic Hardship Employment webpage and contact an International Student Adviser.

Please note: This special student relief is NOT automatic. You must first speak with an ISSS Adviser BEFORE you are able to receive any special student relief benefits. Do not drop course registration below full time until you have been approved by USCIS for this special work authorization.

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