On May 3, 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 Hong Kong experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Hong Kong. This notice redesignates SSR to include eligible students who are in a lawful F-1 status as of Jan. 26, 2023, and extends relief until Feb. 5, 2025.

SSR is the suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (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 Hong Kong residents.

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.