2023

On August 18, 2023 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a Federal Register Notice, explaining a suspension on certain F-1 student regulations for students who are Sudanese residents that are experiencing severe economic hardship. Specifically, "employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while maintaining their F-1 nonimmigrant student status," (Federal Register, Employment Authorization for Sudanese F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of the Current Crisis in Sudan, 2023) In order to be eligible, students must meet all of the following conditions: Are a citizen of Sudan regardless of country of birth (or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan). Are lawfully present in the United States in an F-1 status on January 26, 2023. Are enrolled at the University of Utah. Are currently maintaining F-1 status. Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the curent crisis in Sudan. The suspension will remain until April 19, 2025. For more information please refer to the Federal Register Notice and for additional information about Special Student Relief we encourage you to review this at ICE.gov/SEVP on "What is Special Student Relief?"

On August 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a Federal Register Notice, explaining a suspension on certain F-1 student regulations for students who are Ukrainian residents that are experiencing severe economic hardship. Specifically, "employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while maintaining their F-1 nonimmigrant student status," (Federal Register, Employment Authorization for Ukrainian  F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of the Current Crisis in Ukraine, 2023) In order to be eligible, students must meet all of the following conditions: Are a citizen of Ukraine regardless of country of birth (or an indvidual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine). Are lawfully present in the United States in an F-1 status. Are enrolled at the University of Utah. Are currently maintaining F-1 status. Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the curent crisis in Ukraine. The suspension will remain until April 19, 2025. For more information please refer to the Federal Register Notice and for additional information about Special Student Relief we encourage you to review this at ICE.gov/SEVP on "What is Special Student Relief?"

Effective Monday, August 21, 2023, the On-Campus Work Authorization Letter Request process will end and a new process is implemented. Students who currently hold a Social Security Number for Work Only do not need to complete this process.If the department or on-campus employerst or Human Resources only needs to verify the student's visa status, students would use an e-form called F-1 Status Verification for On-Campus Employment found in UAtlas. The student needs to provide a regular offer letter from the department/HR. The student will not receive a letter, but we will send a verification email to the student and their department/HR. ISSS will be replacing the On-Campus Work Authorization Letter with a new form, On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for Social Security Number Application Form for our international students starting August 21st. Students no longer need to provide an offer letter to the ISSS office. The form has been pre-approved by the Social Security Administration for use to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). Students, departments, and on-campus employers are encouraged to review our new On-Campus Employment page to better understand the process. Below is a brief explanation of the process: A student downloads the form, or a department/HR downloads the form. This form is for new students or students who have never had a SSN. Department/HR fills out the top part of the form. Student Scans and submits the form through the ISSS Student Portal called UAtlas. Once ISSS reviews the form, the student will be notified to bring the original form to the ISSS office for a wet signature from any DSOs. If any questions arise, please reach out to an advisor at international@utah.edu, review our On-Campus Employment page, or come to walk-in advising.

The International Student and Scholar Services office will be offering "Virtual Walk-In Advising" for F-1 students in addition to In-Person Walk-In Advising. Every Friday, starting on August 04, 2023, virtual walk-in advising will be held from 9:00 AM (MST) to 11:00 AM (MST.) Students interested in meeting with an International Student Advisor/Designated School Offical virtually must follow the simple two-step instruction below:

This message is to inform all international students with an F-1 & J-1 visa status about the change to the number of online classes students can enroll during the academic year. The academic year consists of Fall, Spring and Summer (if summer is the student’s first semester in their program or their final semester.) I ask that you read the entire message as it is important and may require planning and working closely with academic advisors. On March 2020, the U.S. government issued a guidance allowing schools and students to engage in online classes more than what is allowed due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. This allowance continued until the end of Summer 2023. On May 12, 2023, the U.S. government announced that it will no longer view COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency and will end the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance.