INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES: ISS Newsletter

Special Student Relief for students from Syria and Venezuela

Effective April 21, 2021, The US Department of Homeland Security has designated Syria and Venezuela for Special Student Relief (SSR). SSR suspends some rules regarding F-1 student enrollment and employment. For more details please check the links below.

• The notice for Venezuelan students can be found here. 
• The notice for Syrian students can be found here. 

What are the benefits of SSR?

• You can apply for off-campus work authorization based on severe economic hardship as a direct result of:
  • Venezuela: the current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela
  • Syria: the ongoing civil unrest in Syria since March 2011
• The '1 academic year on F-1' requirement for off campus employment has been removed.
• You are eligible to take on and off campus employment more than 20 hours/week even when the school is in session (with prior approval from DSO).
• Students in AAS programs who are taking on and off-campus employment can drop to 6 credit hours, with up to 3 credit hours of online credit counting towards full-time enrollment requirement (with prior approval from DSO). ESL cannot count any online credits.

*Please note that MCC is currently offering online classes only. You will not be able to take enough hours to meet the 6 credits hours limit with online classes only.

Who's eligible for SSR?

• Are citizens of Venezuela, regardless of country of birth;
• Were lawfully present in the United States in an F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021
• Are enrolled in an academic institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F-1 nonimmigrant students
• Are currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status; and
• Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

How do I apply for off campus work authorization?

You can make a request on this ISS website 'Request - Off Campus Work Authorization' section.

If you have any questions, please contact DSO@mccollege.edu