[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34276-34277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16588]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
22 CFR Part 514
Exchange Visitor Program
AGENCY: United States Information Agency.
ACTION: Notice of suspension of applicability of certain requirements.
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SUMMARY: The Agency is temporarily suspending the application of
certain requirements governing program status and on-campus and off-
campus employment for J-1 students whose means of financial support, as
reflected on their Form IAP-66, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange
Visitor Status, is from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, or
the Philippines. This action is necessary to mitigate the adverse
impact upon these students due to the sharp and sudden drop in the
value of the currencies of Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand,
and the Philippines.
DATES: This action is effective June 24, 1998 and will remain in effect
until rescinded.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally Lawrence, Program Designation Branch Chief, Office of Exchange
Visitor Program Services, United States Information Agency, 301 4th
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547; Telephone (202) 401-9823.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Over the past several months, the currencies
of Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines have
suffered a severe drop in value relative to the United States dollar.
This economic crisis in their home countries has in turn affected
Exchange Visitor Program college and university students studying in
the United States. These students, many of whom are dependent upon
financial support originating in their home country have found
themselves without funds. To ameriolate the hardship arising from this
lack of financial support and facilitate these students continued
studies, the Agency is suspending the application of the full course of
study requirement set forth at 22 CFR 514.23(e) and the application of
the requirements governing student employment set forth at 22 CFR
514.23(g) effective June 24, 1998 until rescinded.
College and university students in J-1 status whose means of
financial support comes from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia,
Thailand, or the Philippines and whose financial support has been
disrupted, reduced, or eliminated due to the economic crisis in their
home country may be authorized to pursue full-time or part-time on-
campus or off-campus employment by their responsible officers. A
reduction in course load may be necessary for some students due to
employment and accordingly, such students will be
[[Page 34277]]
deemed to be in valid J-1 Exchange Visitor Program student status if
they are (i) an undergraduate student and enrolled for not less than
six semester hours of academic credit or its recognized equivalent; or
(ii) a graduate student enrolled for not less than three hours of
academic credit or its recognized equivalent.
Responsible officers who authorize on-campus or off-campus
employment for these students should type or print on the pink copy of
the Form IAP-66 ``Special Student Relief work authorization granted
from (insert beginning date of employment) until (insert the earlier of
the last day of the student's program or one year from the beginning
date of employment),'' and sign and date such notation. If a reduced
course load is also authorized due to the employment, the responsible
officer should type or print on the pink copy of the Form IAP-66
``reduced course load authorized,'' and sign and date such notation.
The Agency's suspension of the application of the requirements set
forth in 22 CFR 514.23(e) and 22 CFR 514.23(g) for these identified
students will continue until amended or rescinded by the Agency in a
document published in the Federal Register.
Dated: June 16, 1998.
Joseph Duffey,
Director.
[FR Doc. 98-16588 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
