Employment Rules Temporarily Suspended for Libyan Students

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June 10, 2011

Due to the civil unrest in Libya, Libyan students studying in the U.S. may be experiencing financial hardships if their primary means of financial support comes from the Libyan government or family members. As a result, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suspended employment requirements for F-1 non-immigrant Libyan students so that they can continue their studies and meet basic living expenses. The Department of State has made similar concessions for those studying here under J-1 visas as part of the Exchange Visitor Program.

Through this regulatory suspension Libyan students will be able to:

Obtain employment authorization
Work an increased number of hours while school is in session
Reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F-1 student status

Undergraduate students working on- or off-campus may reduce their course load to a minimum of six (6) semester/quarter hours. Graduate students working on- or off-campus may reduce their course load to a minimum of three (3) semester/quarter hours.

The June 10 Federal Register notices grant temporary relief for a specific group of F-1 students until December 31, 2011. The agencies will continue to monitor the situation in Libya and publish updates regarding modifications or extensions as warranted.