Admin l Thursday, October 21, 2021
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a Federal Register notice with information on how Hong Kong residents could apply for employment authorization. Eligible Hong Kong residents are those covered under the President Joe Biden’s Aug. 5 memorandum directing Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for 18 months, through Feb. 5, 2023.
DED for Hong Kong residents, according to the department applies only to certain eligible Hong Kong residents who were present in the United States as of Aug. 5, 2021; who have continuously resided in the United States since that date; and who meet other eligibility criteria described in the president’s memorandum.
For purposes of this DED policy, Hong Kong residents are individuals of any nationality, or without nationality, who have met the requirements and have been issued a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport, a British National Overseas passport, a British Overseas Citizen passport, a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, or an HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes.
“There is no application for DED”, the department said, adding that eligibility requirements for Hong Kong residents who are covered under DED are based on the terms described in the president’s directive and any relevant implementing requirements established by the Department of Homeland Security.
“Eligible Hong Kong residents may apply for an Employment Authorization Document by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Eligible Hong Kong residents covered by the president’s DED memorandum may also receive travel authorization. Individuals must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, for advance parole if they wish to travel based on DED”, the department said.
