The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending certain legal requirements for F-1 non-immigrant students from Lebanon who experience severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Lebanon, allowing eligible students to apply for employment authorization and greater number can work hours while school is in session and reduce their course load while maintaining their F-1 nonimmigrant status.

Key points:

• This notice applies only to F-1 non-immigrant students who meet all of the following conditions:
  • Are you a citizen of Lebanon, regardless of your country of birth (or are you a person without nationality who was last habitually resident in Lebanon);
  • Were legally present in the United States on November 27, 2024, in F-1 nonimmigrant status under Section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 USC 1101(a)(15)(F)(i);
  • Be enrolled at an academic institution certified for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for F-1 non-immigrant student enrollment;
  • Currently maintain F-1 non-immigrant status; And
  • They are experiencing serious economic problems as a direct result of the current crisis in Lebanon.
• This notice applies to F-1 nonimmigrant students in an approved private school in kindergarten through grade 12, public schools in grades 9 through 12, and undergraduate and graduate education.

This warning comes from the BAL US Practice Group.

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