On March 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a notice in the Federal Register that provides Special Student Relief (SSR) employment benefits for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Somalia experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Somalia. This notice extends relief from March 18, 2023, until Sept. 17, 2024, for eligible Somali students.

SSR is the suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of DHS for an F‑1 student from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances. This notice temporarily suspends applicable on-campus and off-campus employment regulations for eligible Somalian students.

SSR applies when emergent circumstances occur. Emergent circumstances are world events that affect F-1 students from a particular region and create significant financial hardships, such as but not limited to:

• Natural disasters.
• Wars and military conflicts.
• National or international financial crises.

To find a list of active SSR notices, visit the What’s New page on ICE.gov/SEVP.