DOS Publishes Notice on Ukrainian J-1 Student Relief

Apr 17, 2023 | Immigration Updates

Under the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, the Department of State’s (DOS) Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs published a notice on April 5, 2023, waiving and modifying certain regulatory requirements with respect to a temporary educational and cultural exchange program established for Ukrainian J-1 students in the United States. DOS said it is extending Special Student Relief to eligible Ukrainian students in the United States on J-1 visas “to help mitigate the adverse impact on them resulting from the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022.”

DOS explained that many exchange visitors from Ukraine dependent upon financial support originating in their home country have limited or no access to funds, and others may have difficulty returning home. The agency said it took this action “to ameliorate hardship arising from lack of financial support and to facilitate these students’ continued studies in the United States.”

The action is effective retroactively from August 18, 2022, until October 23, 2023, “unless the U.S. Government unilaterally ends the arrangement early or the U.S. Government and the Government of Ukraine together extend its termination date.” In that case, DOS will publish a notice in the Federal Register of the termination date, the agency said. Individuals eligible for Special Student Relief must have continuously resided in the United States since April 11, 2022. Special Student Relief with respect to program status and employment for J-1 Ukrainian students does not apply to Federal Work-Study jobs, DOS said.

Details:

Related Posts:

Global Newsletter

In this look around the globe, find the latest immigration news regarding Brazil’s re-introduction of visa requirements, Canada’s announcement of new post-graduation work permit measures and the UK’s upcoming electronic travel authorization scheme. But first, we start with this month’s WReview and WR Updates. WReview: Working as a Tourist? Challenges and Risks of Short-Term Assignments and Business Travel With the complexities and time involved in obtaining a work visa many clients ask us why their employees can’t simply travel for work on a tourist visa or visa waiver basis. While this may seem like an easy and expedient option, it is unfortunately fraught with risks for both the traveler and the company involved. Depending on the rules of the country the employee is traveling to, even short-term business travel to perform activities such as giving training, conducting an audit, or installing or troubleshooting a system or product, may require a work visa. If the employee is detected traveling without the appropriate work visa, the best-case scenario is that they will simply be denied entry, detained briefly at the airport, and sent back to their home country on the next available flight. Note that even in such a scenario, they may […]

Immigration Update

In this edition, find the latest news on Increases to Premium Processing Fees, DOS’ Supplemental Questionnaire, updates to DOS’ Pilot Program, and more! DHS Increases Premium Processing Fees On February 26, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security will increase premium processing fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): A table in the final rule shows that overall, of those eligible for premium processing in fiscal years 2018 through 2022, 57 percent chose to submit a premium processing request: If USCIS receives a Form I-907 postmarked on or after February 26, 2024, with the incorrect filing fee, it will reject the Form I-907 and return the filing fee. For filings sent by commercial courier (such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL), the postmark date is the date reflected on the courier receipt, USCIS said. Details:  Back to Top DOS Proposes Supplemental Questionnaire for Passport Applications The Department of State (DOS) has published a 60-day notice seeking public comment on a proposed supplemental questionnaire to an existing passport application that would solicit information relating to the respondent’s identity, including family and birth circumstances, that is needed before passport issuance. If such information on Form DS-5513 is needed, a passport agency will […]