CRITICAL ALERT – WINTER BREAK OFFICE CLOSURE
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the International Students Office (ISO) will be closed for the Winter Break holidays beginning at 3:00 p.m. (EST), Monday, December 22, 2025. The ISO will reopen and resume services at 10:00 a.m. (EST) Monday, January 5, 2026.
Important International Students Office (ISO) Information
HOURS OF OPERATION
- The ISO is open remotely Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST), excluding weekends and holidays.
- The ISO offers limited “Walk-In Hours” for emergency situations ONLY. Walk-in services are available during the times listed below:
- Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
- Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
- Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
- Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
- Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
- Saturday, Sunday, & Institute Holidays: CLOSED
SERVICES
- ISO Advisors conduct appointments remotely via Zoom.
- Advisors can be reached by email or phone during regular business hours.
- Immigration documents MUST be requested and processed online through iMIT.
- Immigration documents are issued electronically.
- ISO orientation sessions and programs are offered both online and in person.
ISO SUPPORT
The ISO supports the entire MIT international student community, including new/incoming, current, and alumni students.
- Help Us, Help You
- To ensure timely assistance, individuals MUST always include their MIT ID number, degree level, and program information (Example: MIT ID 987654321, MS, MechE, ’27) when contacting the ISO.
- Emails & Requests
- All email responses and requests will be addressed in the order received.
- Response & Processing Times
- Our goal is to respond to emails and requests within the following timelines (excluding weekends and holidays):
- Email replies within three (3) business days.
- Requests within ten (10) business days.
- Our goal is to respond to emails and requests within the following timelines (excluding weekends and holidays):
CRITICAL REMINDER: DO NOT call or send a follow-up email BEFORE these response and processing times have passed.
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Email: iso-help@mit.edu
- Phone: +1-617-253-3795
- Fax: +1-617-258-5483
- Location: The ISO is on the second floor of Building E18, located at 50 Ames Street.
- Mailing Addresses:
- USPS Mail ONLY:
- MIT International Students Office
- 77 Massachusetts Avenue
- Building E18-219
- Cambridge, MA 02139
- UPS, DHL, FedEx, Overnight, & Direct Deliveries:
- MIT International Students Office
- 50 Ames Street
- Building E18-219
- Cambridge, MA 02142
- USPS Mail ONLY:
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
- For emergencies that require immediate assistance, including:
- Problems with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Denial of entry to the United States.
- Detention by a U.S. government official.
- An individual MUST take one of the following actions:
- Email iso-help@mit.edu
- Call the ISO emergency phone at +1-617-258-5480.
- Review the ISO How to Contact the ISO for Emergency Assistance Information [here].
CAUTION REMINDER: The ISO emergency phone is ONLY for emergency situations. It CANNOT be used for *non-urgent issues, including requests for travel signatures or other immigration documents.
*For all non-urgent requests, assistance will be available during regular business hours*
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Mailing Documents to the ISO: Students are strongly discouraged from mailing paper documents to the ISO.
- Before mailing anything, students should contact their ISO Advisor. In many cases, documents should be scanned and submitted to iMIT or emailed.
- Topics the ISO CANNOT Assist With:
- Other Countries’ Employment or Entry Immigration Requirements
- Non-F-1/J-1 U.S. Immigration Status (e.g., Permanent Residency, H-1B, etc.)
- For faster assistance, individuals should contact the appropriate MIT office or external authority responsible for these areas.
KEY RESOURCES
- New/Incoming Students: Visit the ISO New Students webpage
- Travel & Visa Information: Visit the MIT Office of General Counsel webpage, the ISO Travel Advisory webpage, the ISO main Visas & Travel Information web pages, including:
- First-Time/New MIT Student Entering the U.S. webpage
- How to Request “Certificate of Eligibility” Documents (Forms I-20 or Forms DS-2019)
- Obtaining the Form I-94 Record webpage
- U.S. Port-of-Entry Inspection & Common Questions information
- Traveling With Electronic Devices, Data, & Equipment Information
- Secondary Inspection information
- Special Situations information
- Travel from Canada, Mexico, & Adjacent Islands webpage
- Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) Information
- U.S. Work/Employment Information: Visit the ISO Employment web pages
IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENT RESOURCES
- New/Incoming Students: Visit the ISO Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Checklist web pages
- Current Students: Visit the ISO Maintaining Your Status webpage
- Alumni Students: Students on Post-OPT, STEM OPT, or Post-Degree Academic Training visit the specific ISO Employment web pages
- Stay Updated: Visit the ISO News & Announcements webpage and Major Immigration Updates & Alerts webpage
- Tip: Use the ISO Search Tool or the Common Questions for answers to usual FAQs
Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is only for MIT-sponsored students.
For additional questions, students should first review the ISO Employment web pages thoroughly. They are encouraged to use the ISO search tool (located at the top of the ISO website) or consult the comprehensive ISO Common Questions webpage. MIT students may also contact their designated ISO Advisor directly for assistance.
