Special Student Relief (SSR)

Special Student Relief (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. Regulatory requirements that may be suspended or altered for an F-1 student include a full course of study and on- and off-campus employment eligibility.  

BENEFITS OF SPECIAL STUDENT RELIEF

1. Ability to work on-campus over 20 hours per week during Fall and Spring semesters for the duration of the notice for your country, OR apply for off-campus work permission 
2. Ability to reduce course load (RCL) in during the Fall and Spring semesters for the duration of the notice for your country 
   1. The RCL benefit is optional, but the reduced course load benefit is only available to students who apply for SSR and obtain work authorization through the notice, and is not available separately 
   2. Students approved for the RCL benefit through SSR must remain in enrolled in at least 6 credits for undergraduates or 3 credits for graduate students each Fall and Spring semester for the duration of the SSR benefits 
3. Students must apply and receive a special I-20 that shows permission for these benefits 

A KIC Immigration Advisor will decide whether a student meets the eligibility criteria to apply for SSR. 

The Department of Homeland Security has suspended certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country is listed below:  

SSR Programs	Effective Start Date*	End Date
Afghanistan (citizens)	September 25, 2023	May 20, 2025
Burma / Myanmar (citizens)	March 22, 2024	November 25, 2025
Cameroon (citizens)	October 10, 2023	June 7, 2025
Ethiopia (citizens)	April 12, 2024	December 12, 2025
Haiti (citizens)	January 26, 2023	August 3, 2024
Hong Kong (residents)	January 26, 2023	February 5, 2025
Somalia (citizens)	March 18, 2023	September 17, 2024
Syria (citizens)	January 29, 2024	September 30, 2025
Yemen (citizens)	January 3, 2023	September 3, 2024
South Sudan (citizens)	September 6, 2023	May 3, 2025
Ukraine (citizens)	August 21, 2023	April 19, 2025
Sudan (citizens)	August 21, 2023	April 19, 2025

 

Additional SSR Information

SSR Informational Powerpoint

Info Meeting Audio Recording

How to apply for Special Student Relief

Start The Process Here