ISO Update – December 29, 2021
CONTENTS
- Travel Restrictions to the U.S. from 8 Countries of Southern Africa REVOKED, effective December 31, 2021
- USDOS Extends Discretion for Consulates to Waive In-Person Visa Interviews For Certain Nonimmigrants Through End of 2022
- USCBP Lifts U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions at Land/Ferry Border Crossings, Requires Proof of Full COVID-19 Vaccination
- ISO CLOSED for Winter Break, Operate Remotely/Virtually During First Weeks of IAP
- MIT Announces COVID-19 Response Update for IAP (January 2022)
- ISO Travel Guidance – Fall/Winter Break 2021-2022
On December 28, 2021, U.S. President Joseph Biden issued a Proclamation that revokes the prohibition on entry to the U.S. by non-U.S. citizens who had been physically present in 8 countries of Southern Africa (prohibition established by Presidential Proclamation 10315 on November 26, 2021). The 8 countries that had been impacted were: the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, and Republic of Zimbabwe
The effective date of this Proclamation, when the prohibition on travel from the 8 countries will no longer be in effect, is at 12:01 am Eastern U.S. Standard Time on December 31, 2021.
The full text of the Proclamation may be viewed here.
U.S. Department of State Guidance on Rescission of Travel Restrictions on Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe can be viewed here.
IMPORTANT: ALL travelers, including those from the 8 countries of Southern Africa, are still subject to the requirements to be fully vaccinated and have proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 1 day prior to travel by air to the U.S. Details on the vaccination and testing requirements for entry to the U.S. are available here.
We will continue to update the MIT “Major Immigration Alerts and Updates” webpage with any new policies or guidance provided by U.S. federal government agencies.
If any questions arise, please contact your ISO Advisor.
(2) USDOS Extends Discretion for Consulates to Waive In-Person Visa Interviews for Certain Nonimmigrants Through End of 2022
On December 23, 2021, the U.S. Department of State announced that it has extended authorization to consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants – including for certain F, M, and academic J visa applicants. This authorization also extends to certain temporary employment nonimmigrant visa applicants with approved petitions by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visas).
The extension of this authorization is through December 31, 2022.
In part, the announcement states “…consular officers have discretion to waive the interview for F, M, and academic J visa applicants who were previously issued any type of visa, and who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility; or first-time F, M, and academic J visa applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in VWP and who have previously traveled to the United States via an ESTA authorization, provided they have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.”
It is important to note that while consular officers have the authority to waive in-person interviews, consulates can still require an in-person interview for any visa applicant, so you should consult the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website where you will be applying for visa application and interview details (https://usembassy.gov).
The full announcement is available on the U.S. Department of State website, here.
We will continue to update the MIT “Major Immigration Alerts and Updates” webpage with any new policies or guidance provided by U.S. federal government agencies.
If any questions arise, please contact your ISO Advisor.
(3) USCBP Lifts U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions at Land/Ferry Border Crossings, Requires Proof of Full COVID-19 Vaccination
On December 23, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) announced that it has lifted the restrictions on “Non-Essential Travel” (e.g., for tourism purposes) for fully vaccinated individuals traveling through land and ferry ports-of-entry between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Individuals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and present proof of COVID-19 vaccination status.
A copy of the Federal Register notice on the U.S.-Canada travel update can be found here.
A copy of the Federal Register notice on the U.S.-Mexico travel update can be found here.
These announcements regarding land/ferry ports-of-entry make the rules for land/ferry entry identical to the requirements for air travel to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico for Non-Essential travel.
Per early guidance from USCBP, those entering the U.S. for “essential” travel (including study or employment) will be required in “early January” to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
To view the history of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential Travel” restrictions, click here.
We will continue to update the MIT “Major Immigration Alerts and Updates” webpage with any new policies or guidance provided by U.S. federal government agencies.
If any questions arise, please contact your ISO Advisor.
(4) ISO CLOSED for Winter Break, Operate Remotely/Virtually During First Weeks of IAP
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed for the Winter Holiday Break. The ISO will be closed, starting on Thursday, December 23, 2021 (3:00pm Eastern U.S. Time).
The ISO will re-open (VIRTUALLY, no walk-in hours) on Monday, January 3, 2022 (9:00am Eastern U.S. Time).
If you need to reach the ISO during Winter Break, please email the ISO (iso-help@mit.edu) or call the ISO main phone number (617-253-3795) and leave a voicemail for ISO Staff to respond as quickly as possible.
If you encounter an emergency situation (e.g., being denied entry/reentry to the U.S., or being detained by a government official requiring additional information, visa application issues, etc.), then please call the ISO emergency phone number (+1-617-258-5480). The ISO emergency phone number is NOT to be used to report a successful entry into the U.S., only if you encounter an emergency situation at the U.S. port-of-entry.
DURING IAP
Per MIT guidance for IAP operations, the ISO will operate VIRTUALLY (no walk-in hours) from Monday, January 3, 2022 through Friday, January 21, 2022.
The ISO will re-open with limited walk-in hours beginning on Monday, January 24, 2022. Walk-in hours beginning January 24 will mirror the office hours during the Fall 2021 semester: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00am-3:00pm; Wednesdays from 1:00pm-3:00pm.
(5) MIT Announces COVID-19 Response Update for IAP (January 2022)
On Tuesday, December 21, 2021, MIT announced changes in operations for IAP 2022.
Highlights of the announcement include the following:
- Omicron is rapidly changing the situation, and MIT is responding.
- January IAP will move forward in a modified fashion, with reduced density on campus.
- We are developing new approaches to isolation and dining for students who test positive.
- Undergraduate students should carefully consider whether to return to campus for IAP.
- We are strongly encouraging managers to have staff work remotely during January.
- Indoor masking will continue, and KN94/95 masks will be provided.
- Get your required booster shot as soon as possible; the MIT deadline for obtaining a booster is January 14, 2022.
- These efforts will allow us to learn and plan for an in-person spring term, which begins on January 31.
Please be sure to read the full announcement here.
Joint letters, from MIT Medical and the Dean of Student Life, were sent to MIT students regarding these updates; please read these letters here:
As a result of the MIT guidance for IAP, the ISO will be operating virtually from January 3, 2022 through January 21, 2022 (see ISO announcement above).
Please continue to check MIT NOW (https://now.mit.edu/) for updates on MIT’s COVID-19 Response.
(6) ISO Travel Guidance – Fall/Winter Break 2021-2022
The ISO will continue to update its Travel Guidance announcement for Fall/Winter Break 2021-2022.
Students are advised to continue to consult the ISO “Visas and Travel” webpage for updates as well as guidance for requesting a new Form I-20/Form DS-2019 with travel signature and recommended documentation to carry when returning to the U.S.
If any questions arise, please feel free to contact your ISO Advisor or the ISO main office directly (iso-help@mit.edu).
