Exchange visitor program: 1 students whose financial support is from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, or Philippines; employment requirements temporarily suspended,

[Federal Register: June 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 121)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 34276-34277]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr24jn98-11]

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.

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DATES: This action is effective June 24, 1998 and will remain in effect until rescinded.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of the requirements governing student employment set forth at 22 CFR 514.23(g) effective June 24, 1998 until rescinded.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. 98-16588Filed6-23-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8230-01-M