On July 9, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension and resignation of Yemen for temporary protected status (TPS). On the same date, DHS announced the suspension of certain regulatory requirements for Yemeni F-1 nonimmigrant students who are experiencing severe economic hardship because of the current crisis in Yemen.
TPS extended and redesignated. TPS for Yemen is extended and redesignated for 18 months, from September 4, 2021, through March 3, 2023. The extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 3, 2023, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. The redesignation allows additional individuals who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 5, 2021, to obtain TPS, if otherwise eligible.
The notice sets forth procedures necessary for Yemeni nationals (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) either to submit an initial registration application under the redesignation and apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) or, if they already have TPS, to re-register under the extension and to apply for renewal of their EADs with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will issue new EADs with a March 3, 2023, expiration date to eligible beneficiaries under Yemen’s TPS designation who timely reregister and apply for EADs under the extension, or who timely register and apply for EADs under the redesignation.
Requirements suspended for Yemeni students. Effective September 4, 2021, through March 3, 2023, Yemeni citizens (regardless of country of birth) who are lawful F-1 nonimmigrant students can request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course loads while continuing to maintain F-1 status. DHS said it will deem an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives employment authorization “by means of this notice to be engaged in a ‘full course of study’ for the duration of the employment authorization, if the nonimmigrant student satisfies the minimum course load requirement described in this notice.”
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