Key information: 

• Lawful F-1 nonimmigrant students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while their academic institution is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F-1 nonimmigrant student status.  

• These relief options are in effect from March 4, 2023, through Sept. 3, 2024.

Special Student Relief for Yemeni F-1 Nonimmigrant Students 

Eligibility for relief: 

• To be eligible to request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while your academic institution is in session, and reduce your course load while continuing to maintain your F-1 nonimmigrant student status, you must meet all the following conditions: 

• Be a citizen of Yemen regardless of country of birth (or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen); 

• Be lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on Jan. 3, 2023; 

• Be enrolled in an academic institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment for F-1 nonimmigrant students; 

• Be maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status; and 

• Be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the crises in Yemen. 

• This relief applies to: 

• F-1 nonimmigrant students in an approved private school in kindergarten through grade 12, public school in grades 9 through 12, and undergraduate and graduate education. 

• F-1 nonimmigrant students who transfer to another SEVP-certified academic institution.  

Consult the Federal Register Notice for more information. 

Avoiding Legal Services Fraud: 

Yemeni students registering for Special Student Relief and work authorization should seek qualified legal assistance and beware of fraud. More information about avoiding legal services scams is available here: cliniclegal.org/resources/protecting-your-community/unauthorized-practice-immigration-law.