[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 76 (Thursday, April 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21328-21333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08368]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. ICEB-2021-0003]
RIN 1653-ZA17


Employment Authorization for Venezuelan F-1 Nonimmigrant Students 
Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of the Current 
Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS).

SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security 
(Secretary) has suspended certain regulatory requirements for F-1 
nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Venezuela 
(regardless of country of birth) and who are experiencing severe 
economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis 
in Venezuela. The Secretary is taking action to provide relief to 
Venezuelan citizens who are lawful F-1 nonimmigrant students so the 
students may request employment authorization, work an increased number 
of hours while school is in

[[Page 21329]]

session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 
nonimmigrant student status. 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.

DATES: This F-1 Notice is effective April 22, 2021 and will remain in 
effect until September 9, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Snyder, Unit Chief, Policy and 
Response Unit, Student and Exchange Visitor Program; U.S. Immigration 
and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th Street SW, Stop 5600, Washington, DC, 
20536-5600; email: [email protected], telephone: (703) 603-3400. This is 
not a toll-free number. Program information is available at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

What action is DHS taking under this notice?

    The Secretary is exercising authority under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to 
temporarily suspend the applicability of certain requirements governing 
on-campus and off-campus employment for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose 
country of citizenship is Venezuela (regardless of country of birth), 
who are present in the United States in lawful F-1 nonimmigrant student 
status as of April 22, 2021, and who are experiencing severe economic 
hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in 
Venezuela. Effective with this publication, suspension of the 
employment limitations is available through September 9, 2022, for 
those who are in lawful F-1 nonimmigrant status as of April 22, 2021. 
DHS will deem an F-1 nonimmigrant student granted 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 
student satisfies the minimum course load set forth in this notice.\1\ 
See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F).
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    \1\ Because the suspension of requirements applies throughout an 
academic term during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 
considers an F-1 nonimmigrant student who engages in a reduced 
course load or employment (or both) after this notice is issued to 
be engaging in a ``full course of study,'' see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), 
and eligible for employment authorization, through the end of any 
academic term for which such student is matriculated as of September 
9, 2022, provided the student satisfies the minimum course load 
requirement in this notice. DHS also considers students who engage 
in online coursework pursuant to ICE coronavirus disease 2019 
(COVID-19) guidance for nonimmigrant students to be in compliance 
with regulations while such guidance remains in effect. See ICE 
Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19, available at 
https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus [last visited Mar. 2021].
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Who is covered by this notice?

    This notice applies exclusively to F-1 nonimmigrant students who 
meet all of the following conditions:
    (1) Are citizens of Venezuela, regardless of country of birth;
    (2) Were lawfully present in the United States in an F-1 
nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021, under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 
1101(a)(15)(F)(i);
    (3) Are enrolled in an academic institution that is Student and 
Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of 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 current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
    This notice applies to F-1 nonimmigrant students engaged in private 
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.

Why is DHS taking this action?

    As a result of the current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the 
Secretary designated Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 
18 months, effective March 9, 2021 through September 9, 2022. See 86 FR 
13574. DHS now is taking action to provide relief to Venezuelan F-1 
nonimmigrant students experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct 
result of the current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. These 
nonimmigrant students may request employment authorization, work an 
increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce the 
students' course load while continuing to maintain F-1 nonimmigrant 
student status.
    DHS has reviewed conditions in Venezuela and determined that making 
employment authorization available for eligible nonimmigrant students 
is warranted due to conditions in Venezuela. Venezuela is facing a wide 
range of emergencies, including: Economic contraction; inflation and 
hyperinflation; deepening poverty; high levels of unemployment; reduced 
access to and shortages of food and medicine; a severely weakened 
medical system; the reappearance or increased incidence of certain 
communicable diseases; a collapse in basic services; water, 
electricity, and fuel shortages; political polarization; institutional 
and political tensions; human rights abuses and repression; crime and 
violence; corruption; increased human mobility and displacement 
(including internal migration, emigration, and return); and the impact 
of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors.\2\
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    \2\ Ribando Seelke, Clare, Nelson, Rebecca M., Brown, Phillip, 
Margesson, Rhoda, Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations, 
Congressional Research Service (CRS), Summary, Aug. 26, 2020; 
Venezuelan Humanitarian and Refugee Crisis, Center for Disaster 
Philanthropy, Jan. 18, 2021; Venezuela: Complex Crisis--Overview, 
ACAPS, Jul. 27, 2020, https://www.acaps.org/country/venezuela/crisis/complex-crisis (last visited Feb. 2, 2021); Venezuela: 
Humanitarian Response Plan with Humanitarian Needs Overview 2020, 
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 
(UNOCHA), p.7-9, Jul. 2020; Detailed findings of the independent 
international factfinding mission on the Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela, United Nations Human Rights Council, p.27, Sep. 15, 2020; 
Conflictividad Social 2020 [Social Conflict 2020], Observatorio 
Venezolano de Conflictividad Social (OVCS), Jan. 25, 2021; Asmann, 
Parker, and Jones, Katie, InSight Crime's 2020 Homicide Round-Up, 
InSight Crime, Jan. 29, 2021; Venezuela 2020 Crime & Safety Report, 
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), U.S. Department of State, 
Jul. 21, 2020.
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    As of February 22, 2021, approximately 7,274 F-1 nonimmigrant 
students whose country of citizenship is Venezuela (regardless of 
country of birth) were physically present the United States and 
enrolled in SEVP certified academic institutions. Given the extent of 
the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, affected nonimmigrant students 
whose primary means of financial support comes from Venezuela may need 
to be exempt from the normal student employment requirements to 
continue studying in the United States. The humanitarian crisis has 
created financial barriers for nonimmigrant students to afford to 
return to Venezuela for the foreseeable future. Without employment 
authorization, these students may lack the means to meet basic living 
expenses.

What is the minimum course load requirement set forth in this notice?

    Undergraduate F-1 nonimmigrant students who receive on-campus or 
off-campus employment authorization under this notice must remain 
registered for a minimum of six semester or quarter hours of 
instruction per academic term.\3\ A graduate-level F-1

[[Page 21330]]

nonimmigrant student who receives on-campus or off-campus employment 
authorization under this notice must remain registered for a minimum of 
three semester or quarter hours of instruction per academic term. See 8 
CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v).
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    \3\ Undergraduate F-1 students enrolled in a term of different 
duration must register for at least one half of the credit hours 
normally required under a ``full course of study.'' See 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(6)(i)(B).
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    In addition, an F-1 nonimmigrant student (either undergraduate or 
graduate) granted on-campus or off-campus employment authorization 
under this notice may count up to the equivalent of one class or three 
credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter of online or 
distance education toward satisfying this minimum course load 
requirement, unless the course of study is in a language study 
program.\4\ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G). An F-1 nonimmigrant student 
attending an approved private school grades kindergarten through grade 
12, or public high school grades 9 through 12 must maintain ``class 
attendance for no less than the minimum number of hours a week 
prescribed by the school for normal progress toward graduation,'' as 
required under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(E).
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    \4\ DHS also considers students who engage in online coursework 
pursuant to ICE coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) guidance for 
nonimmigrant students to be in compliance with regulations while 
such guidance remains in effect. See ICE Guidance and Frequently 
Asked Questions on COVID-19, available at https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus [last visited Mar. 2021].
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May an eligible F-1 nonimmigrant student who already has on-campus or 
off-campus employment authorization benefit from the suspension of 
regulatory requirements under this notice?

    Yes. A Venezuelan F-1 nonimmigrant student who already has on-
campus or off-campus employment authorization and is otherwise eligible 
may benefit under this notice, which suspends regulatory requirements 
relating to the minimum course load requirement under 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(6)(i)(A) and (B) and the employment eligibility requirements 
under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) as specified in this notice. Such an eligible 
F-1 nonimmigrant student may benefit without having to apply for a new 
Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD). To benefit from 
this notice, the F-1 nonimmigrant student must request the designated 
school official (DSO) enter the following statement in the remarks 
field of the student's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System 
(SEVIS) record, which the student's Form I-20, Certificate of 
Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status, will reflect:

    Approved for more than 20 hours per week of [DSO must insert 
``on-campus'' or ``off-campus,'' depending upon the type of 
employment authorization the student already has] employment 
authorization and reduced course load under the Special Student 
Relief authorization from [DSO must insert the beginning date of the 
notice or the beginning date of the student's employment, whichever 
date is later] until [DSO must insert either the student's program 
end date, the current EAD expiration date (if the student is 
currently authorized for off-campus employment), or the end date of 
this notice, whichever comes first].

Must the F-1 nonimmigrant student apply for reinstatement after 
expiration of this special employment authorization if the student 
reduces their ``full course of study''?

    No. DHS will deem an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives and 
comports with the employment authorization permitted under this notice 
to be engaged in a ``full course of study'' \5\ for the duration of the 
student's employment authorization, provided that a qualifying 
undergraduate level F-1 nonimmigrant student remains registered for a 
minimum of six semester or quarter hours of instruction per academic 
term and a qualifying graduate level F-1 nonimmigrant student remains 
registered for a minimum of three semester or quarter hours of 
instruction per academic term.\6\ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v) and 
(f)(6)(i)(F). DHS will not require such students to apply for 
reinstatement under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(16) if otherwise maintaining F-1 
nonimmigrant student status.
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    \5\ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6).
    \6\ Undergraduate F-1 nonimmigrant students enrolled in a term 
of different duration must register for at least one half of the 
credit hours normally required under a ``full course of study.'' See 
8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B).
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Will an F-2 dependent (spouse or minor child) of an F-1 nonimmigrant 
student covered by this notice be eligible to apply for employment 
authorization?

    No. An F-2 spouse or minor child of an F-1 nonimmigrant student is 
not authorized to work in the United States and, therefore, may not 
accept employment under the F-2 nonimmigrant status. See 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(15)(i).

Will the suspension of the applicability of the standard student 
employment requirements apply to an individual who receives an initial 
F-1 Visa and makes an initial entry in the United States after 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register?

    No. The suspension of the applicability of the standard regulatory 
requirements only applies to those F-1 nonimmigrant students who meet 
the following conditions:
    (1) Are citizens of Venezuela, regardless of country of birth;
    (2) Were lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant 
status on April 22, 2021, under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the INA, 8 
U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i);
    (3) Are enrolled in an academic institution that is 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 current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
    An F-1 nonimmigrant student who does not meet all of these 
requirements is ineligible for the suspension of the applicability of 
the standard regulatory requirements (even if experiencing severe 
economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis 
in Venezuela).

Does this notice apply to a continuing F-1 nonimmigrant student who 
departs the United States after publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register and who needs to obtain a new F-1 visa before 
returning to the United States to continue an educational program?

    Yes. This notice applies to such a nonimmigrant student, but only 
if the DSO has properly notated the SEVIS record, which will then 
appear on the student's Form I-20. The normal rules for visa issuance 
remain applicable to a nonimmigrant who needs to apply for a new F-1 
visa to continue an educational program in the United States.

Does this notice apply to elementary school, middle school, and high 
school students in F-1 status?

    Yes. However, this notice does not by itself reduce the required 
course load for private kindergarten through grade 12, or public high 
school grades 9 through 12, F-1 nonimmigrant students. Such Venezuelan 
students must maintain the minimum number of hours of class attendance 
per week prescribed by the academic institution for normal progress 
toward graduation. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). The suspension of

[[Page 21331]]

certain regulatory requirements related to employment through this 
notice is applicable to all eligible F-1 nonimmigrant students 
regardless of educational level. Thus, eligible F-1 nonimmigrant 
students from Venezuela enrolled in an elementary school, middle 
school, or high school do benefit from the suspension of the 
requirement in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that limits on-campus employment to 
20 hours per week while school is in session. Nothing in this notice 
affects the applicability of federal and state labor laws limiting the 
employment of minors.

On-Campus Employment Authorization

Will an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives on-campus employment 
authorization under this notice be authorized to work more than 20 
hours per week while school is in session?

    Yes. For an F-1 nonimmigrant student covered in this notice, the 
Secretary is suspending the applicability of the requirement in 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(9)(i) that limits an F-1 student's on-campus employment to 20 
hours per week while school is in session. An eligible nonimmigrant 
student has authorization to work more than 20 hours per week while 
school is in session, if the DSO has entered the following statement in 
the remarks field of the SEVIS student record, which will appear on the 
student's Form I-20:

    Approved for more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment 
and reduced course load, under the Special Student Relief 
authorization from [DSO must insert the beginning date of the notice 
or the beginning date of the students employment, whichever date is 
later] until [DSO must insert the student's program end date or the 
end date of the notice, whichever date comes first].

    To obtain on-campus employment authorization, the F-1 nonimmigrant 
student must demonstrate to the DSO that the employment is necessary to 
avoid severe economic hardship directly resulting from the current 
humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. A nonimmigrant student authorized by 
the DSO to engage in on-campus employment by means of this notice does 
not need to file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
(USCIS). The standard rules that permit full-time employment on-campus 
when school is not in session or during school vacations apply. See 8 
CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i).

Will an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives on-campus employment 
authorization under this notice have authorization to reduce the normal 
course load and still maintain the student's F-1 nonimmigrant student 
status?

    Yes. DHS will deem an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives on-
campus employment authorization under this notice to be engaged in a 
``full course of study'' \7\ for the purpose of maintaining F-1 
nonimmigrant student status for the duration of the on-campus 
employment, if the student satisfies the minimum course load 
requirement described in this notice. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 
However, the authorization to reduce the normal course load is solely 
for DHS purposes of determining valid F-1 nonimmigrant student status. 
Nothing in this notice mandates that school officials allow an F-1 
nonimmigrant student to take a reduced course load if the reduction 
would not meet the school's minimum course load requirement for 
continued enrollment.\8\
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    \7\ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6).
    \8\ Minimum course load requirement for enrollment in a school 
must be established in a publicly available document (e.g., catalog, 
website, or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 
applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign students) 
enrolled at the school.
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Off-Campus Employment Authorization

What regulatory requirements does this notice temporarily suspend 
relating to off-campus employment?

    For an F-1 student covered by this notice, as provided under 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(9)(ii)(A), the Secretary is suspending the following 
regulatory requirements relating to off-campus employment:
    (a) The requirement that a student must have been in F-1 
nonimmigrant student status for one full academic year to be eligible 
for off-campus employment;
    (b) The requirement that an F-1 nonimmigrant student must 
demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with the 
student's carrying a full course of study;
    (c) The requirement that limits an F-1 nonimmigrant student's 
employment authorization to no more than 20 hours per week of off-
campus employment while school is in session; and
    (d) The requirement that the student demonstrate that employment 
under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) is unavailable or otherwise insufficient to 
meet the needs that have arisen as a result of the unforeseen 
circumstances.

Will an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives off-campus employment 
authorization under this notice have authorization to reduce the normal 
course load and still maintain F-1 nonimmigrant status?

    Yes. DHS will deem an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives off-
campus employment authorization by means of this notice to be engaged 
in a ``full course of study'' \9\ for the purpose of maintaining F-1 
nonimmigrant student status for the duration of the students' 
employment authorization if the student satisfies the minimum course 
load requirement described in this notice. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 
However, the authorization to reduce the normal course load is solely 
for DHS purposes of determining valid F-1 student status. Nothing in 
this notice mandates that school officials allow an F-1 nonimmigrant 
student to take a reduced course load if such a reduced course load 
would not meet the school's minimum course load requirement.\10\
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    \9\ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6).
    \10\ Minimum course load requirement for enrollment in a school 
must be established in a publicly available document (e.g., catalog, 
website, or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 
applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign students) 
enrolled at the school.
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How may an eligible F-1 nonimmigrant student obtain employment 
authorization for off-campus employment with a reduced course load 
under this notice?

    An F-1 nonimmigrant student must file a Form I-765, Application for 
Employment Authorization, with USCIS to apply for off-campus employment 
authorization based on the severe economic hardship directly resulting 
from the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Filing instructions are at 
http://www.uscis.gov/i-765.
    Fee considerations. Submission of a Form I-765 currently requires 
payment of a $410 fee. An applicant who is unable to pay the fee may 
submit a completed Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, along with the 
Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. See www.uscis.gov/feewaiver. The submission must include an explanation of why USCIS 
should grant the fee waiver and the reason(s) for the inability to pay, 
and any evidence to support the reason(s). See 8 CFR 103.7(c).
    Supporting documentation. An F-1 nonimmigrant student seeking off-
campus employment authorization due to severe economic hardship must 
demonstrate the following to the DSO:
    (1) This employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship; 
and

[[Page 21332]]

    (2) The hardship is a direct result of the current humanitarian 
crisis in Venezuela.
    If the DSO agrees that the F-1 nonimmigrant student should receive 
such employment authorization, the DSO must recommend application 
approval to USCIS by entering the following statement in the remarks 
field of the student's SEVIS record, which will then appear on that 
student's Form I-20:

    Recommended for off-campus employment authorization in excess of 
20 hours per week and reduced course load under the Special Student 
Relief authorization from the date of the USCIS authorization noted 
on Form I-766 until [DSO must insert students' program end date or 
the end date of the notice, whichever date comes first]

The F-1 nonimmigrant student must then file the properly endorsed Form 
I-20 and Form I-765 according to the instructions for the Form I-765. 
The F-1 nonimmigrant student may begin working off campus only upon 
receipt of the EAD from USCIS.
    DSO recommendation. In making a recommendation that a nonimmigrant 
student be approved for Special Student Relief, the DSO certifies the 
following:
    (a) The F-1 nonimmigrant student is in good academic standing and 
carrying a ``full course of study'' \11\ at the time of the request for 
employment authorization;
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    \11\ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6).
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    (b) The F-1 nonimmigrant student is a citizen of Venezuela 
(regardless of country of birth) and is experiencing severe economic 
hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in 
Venezuela, as documented on the Form I-20;
    (c) The F-1 nonimmigrant student has confirmed that the student 
will comply with the reduced course load requirements of 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(5)(v) and register for the duration of the authorized 
employment for a minimum of six semester or quarter hours of 
instruction per academic term if at the undergraduate level or for a 
minimum of three semester or quarter hours of instruction per academic 
term if at the graduate level; and
    (d) The off-campus employment is necessary to alleviate severe 
economic hardship to the individual as a direct result of the current 
humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
    Processing. To facilitate prompt adjudication of the student's 
application for off-campus employment authorization under 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C), the F-1 nonimmigrant student should do both of the 
following::
    (a) Ensure that the application package includes all of the 
following documents:
    (1) A completed Form I-765;
    (2) The required fee or properly documented fee waiver request as 
defined in 8 CFR 103.7(c);
    (3) A signed and dated copy of the student's Form I-20 with the 
appropriate DSO recommendation, as previously described in this notice; 
and
    (b) Send the application in an envelope which is clearly marked on 
the front of the envelope, bottom right-hand side, with the phrase 
``SPECIAL STUDENT RELIEF.'' Failure to include this notation may result 
in significant processing delays.
    If USCIS approves the student's Form I-765, a USCIS official will 
send the student an EAD as evidence of employment authorization. The 
EAD will contain an expiration date that does not exceed the end of the 
granted temporary relief.

Temporary Protected Status Considerations

Can an F-1 nonimmigrant student apply for TPS and for benefits under 
this notice at the same time?

    Yes. An F-1 nonimmigrant student who has not yet applied for TPS or 
other relief that reduce the student's course load per term and permits 
an increase number of work hours per week, such as the Special Student 
Relief,\12\ under this notice has two options.
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    \12\ DHS Study in the States, Special Student Relief available 
at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/special-student-relief 
[last visited Mar. 2021].
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    Under the first option, the nonimmigrant student may file the TPS 
application according to the instructions in the Federal Register 
notice designating Venezuela for TPS. See 86 FR 13574 (March, 9, 2021). 
All TPS applicants must file a Form I-821, Application for Temporary 
Protected Status (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912)). 
Although not required to do so, if an F-1 nonimmigrant student wants to 
obtain a new EAD based on their TPS application valid through September 
9, 2022, and to be eligible for EAD extensions that may be available to 
EADs with an A-12 or C-19 category code, they must file Form I-765 and 
pay the Form I-765 fee (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-
912)). After receiving the TPS-related EAD, an F-1 nonimmigrant student 
may request that the student's DSO make the required entry in SEVIS, 
issue an updated Form I-20 as described in this notice and notate that 
the nonimmigrant student has been authorized to carry a reduced course 
load and is working pursuant to a TPS-related EAD. So long as the 
nonimmigrant student maintains the minimum course load described in 
this notice, does not otherwise violate the student's nonimmigrant 
status, including as provided under 8 CFR 214.1(g), and maintains the 
student's TPS, then the student maintains F-1 status and TPS 
concurrently.
    Under the second option, the nonimmigrant student may apply for an 
EAD under Special Student Relief by filing the Form I-765 with the 
location specified in the filing instructions. At the same time, the F-
1 nonimmigrant student may file a separate TPS application but must 
submit the TPS filing according to the instructions provided in the 
Federal Register notice designating Venezuela for TPS. Because the F-1 
nonimmigrant student already has applied for employment authorization 
under Special Student Relief, they are not required to submit the Form 
I-765 as part of the TPS application. However, some nonimmigrant 
students may wish to obtain a TPS EAD in light of certain extensions 
that may be available to EADs with an A-12 or C-19 category code. The 
nonimmigrant student should check the appropriate box when filling-out 
Form I-821 to request a TPS-related EAD. Again, the nonimmigrant will 
be able to maintain compliance requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant 
student status and TPS.

When a student applies simultaneously for TPS and benefits under this 
notice, what is the minimum course load requirement while an 
application for employment authorization is pending?

    The F-1 nonimmigrant student must maintain normal course load 
requirements for a ``full course of study'' \13\ unless or until the 
nonimmigrant student receives employment authorization under this 
notice. TPS-related employment authorization, by itself, does not 
authorize a nonimmigrant student to drop below twelve credit hours, or 
otherwise applicable minimum requirements (e.g., clock hours for 
language students). Once approved for Special Student Relief employment 
authorization, the F-1 nonimmigrant student may drop below twelve 
credit hours, or otherwise applicable minimum requirements (with a 
minimum of six semester or quarter credit hours of instruction per 
academic term if at the undergraduate level, or for a minimum of three 
semester or quarter

[[Page 21333]]

credit hours of instruction per academic term if at the graduate 
level). See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v), (f)(6), and (f)(9)(i) and (ii).
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    \13\ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6).
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How does a student who has received a TPS-related employment 
authorization document then apply for authorization to take a reduced 
course load under this notice?

    There is no further application process if a student has been 
approved for a TPS-related employment authorization document. The F-1 
nonimmigrant student must demonstrate and provide documentation to the 
DSO of the direct economic hardship resulting from the humanitarian 
crisis in Venezuela. The DSO will then verify and update the student's 
record in SEVIS to enable the F-1 nonimmigrant student with TPS to 
reduce their course load without any further action or application. No 
other EAD needs to be issued for the F-1 nonimmigrant student to have 
employment authorization.

Can a noncitizen who has been granted TPS apply for reinstatement of F-
1 nonimmigrant student status after the noncitizen's F-1 nonimmigrant 
student status has lapsed?

    Yes. Current regulations permit certain students who fall out of F-
1 nonimmigrant student status to apply for reinstatement. See 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(16). This provision might apply to a student who worked on a 
TPS-related EAD or dropped their course load before publication of this 
notice, and therefore fell out of student status. The student must 
satisfy the criteria set forth in the student status reinstatement 
regulations.

How long will this notice remain in effect?

    This notice grants temporary relief until September 9, 2022, to 
eligible F-1 nonimmigrant students. DHS will continue to monitor the 
situation in Venezuela. Should the special provisions authorized by 
this notice need modification or extension, DHS will announce such 
changes in the Federal Register.

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    An F-1 nonimmigrant student seeking off-campus employment 
authorization due to severe economic hardship must demonstrate to the 
DSO that this employment is necessary to avoid severe economic 
hardship. A DSO who agrees that a nonimmigrant student should receive 
such employment authorization must recommend an application approval to 
USCIS by entering information in the remarks field of the student's 
SEVIS record. The authority to collect this information is in the SEVIS 
collection of information currently approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 1653-0038.
    This notice also allows an eligible F-1 nonimmigrant student to 
request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours 
while the academic institution is in session, and reduce the course 
load while continuing to maintain F-1 nonimmigrant student status.
    To apply for employment authorization, certain F-1 nonimmigrant 
students must complete and submit a currently approved Form I-765 
according to the instructions on the form. OMB has previously approved 
the collection of information contained on the current Form I-765, 
consistent with the PRA (OMB Control No. 1615-0040). Although there 
will be a slight increase in the number of Form I-765 filings because 
of this notice, the number of filings currently contained in the OMB 
annual inventory for Form I-765 is sufficient to cover the additional 
filings. Accordingly, there is no further action required under the 
PRA.

Alejandro N. Mayorkas,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2021-08368 Filed 4-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-28-P