The Department of Homeland Security announced that students from Hong Kong will be granted Special Student Relief if they are impacted by the crisis in Hong Kong. Here is a summary of what is listed in the Federal Registry Notice:
Eligibility
- You must have been in F-1 nonimmigrant status as of January 26, 2023, to be eligible for SSR.
- You must be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Hong Kong.
What will SSR Provide You?
- If you apply for SSR and are approved by USCIS, you will be eligible for off-campus work authorization.
- You may take less than a full course of study.
- Undergraduates may enroll in 6 credits to be full-time.
- Graduate students may be enrolled in 3 credits to be full-time.
- You may take online courses toward your program of study.
- Undergraduates may take one course (up to three credits) of an online course to be full-time.
- Graduate students could be in only one online course (if it is three credits) and be considered full-time.
How can you apply?
If you are a student from Hong Kong and you’re experiencing severe economic hardship due to the crisis in Hong Kong, please visit our drop-in advising session to speak with an advisor. Then, we will help you start the process for requesting SSR with ISS.