[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34276-34277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16588]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

22 CFR Part 514


Exchange Visitor Program

AGENCY: United States Information Agency.

ACTION: Notice of suspension of applicability of certain requirements.

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SUMMARY: The Agency is temporarily suspending the application of 
certain requirements governing program status and on-campus and off-
campus employment for J-1 students whose means of financial support, as 
reflected on their Form IAP-66, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange 
Visitor Status, is from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, or 
the Philippines. This action is necessary to mitigate the adverse 
impact upon these students due to the sharp and sudden drop in the 
value of the currencies of Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, 
and the Philippines.

DATES: This action is effective June 24, 1998 and will remain in effect 
until rescinded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally Lawrence, Program Designation Branch Chief, Office of Exchange 
Visitor Program Services, United States Information Agency, 301 4th 
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547; Telephone (202) 401-9823.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Over the past several months, the currencies 
of Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines have 
suffered a severe drop in value relative to the United States dollar. 
This economic crisis in their home countries has in turn affected 
Exchange Visitor Program college and university students studying in 
the United States. These students, many of whom are dependent upon 
financial support originating in their home country have found 
themselves without funds. To ameriolate the hardship arising from this 
lack of financial support and facilitate these students continued 
studies, the Agency is suspending the application of the full course of 
study requirement set forth at 22 CFR 514.23(e) and the application of 
the requirements governing student employment set forth at 22 CFR 
514.23(g) effective June 24, 1998 until rescinded.
    College and university students in J-1 status whose means of 
financial support comes from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, 
Thailand, or the Philippines and whose financial support has been 
disrupted, reduced, or eliminated due to the economic crisis in their 
home country may be authorized to pursue full-time or part-time on-
campus or off-campus employment by their responsible officers. A 
reduction in course load may be necessary for some students due to 
employment and accordingly, such students will be

[[Page 34277]]

deemed to be in valid J-1 Exchange Visitor Program student status if 
they are (i) an undergraduate student and enrolled for not less than 
six semester hours of academic credit or its recognized equivalent; or 
(ii) a graduate student enrolled for not less than three hours of 
academic credit or its recognized equivalent.
    Responsible officers who authorize on-campus or off-campus 
employment for these students should type or print on the pink copy of 
the Form IAP-66 ``Special Student Relief work authorization granted 
from (insert beginning date of employment) until (insert the earlier of 
the last day of the student's program or one year from the beginning 
date of employment),'' and sign and date such notation. If a reduced 
course load is also authorized due to the employment, the responsible 
officer should type or print on the pink copy of the Form IAP-66 
``reduced course load authorized,'' and sign and date such notation.
    The Agency's suspension of the application of the requirements set 
forth in 22 CFR 514.23(e) and 22 CFR 514.23(g) for these identified 
students will continue until amended or rescinded by the Agency in a 
document published in the Federal Register.

    Dated: June 16, 1998.
Joseph Duffey,
Director.
[FR Doc. 98-16588 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M