I am in the U.S. now and transferring to MIT, but I am planning to travel outside the U.S. before starting at MIT. How early will I be able to enter the U.S. from abroad to start my program at MIT.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) regulations provides the transfer procedures to allow an individual in F-1 status to remain in the U.S. for up to 5 months between the…How early can I apply for a new Student Entry Visa if my Current Student Entry Visa in the Same Visa Status is Still Valid?
Generally, if an entry visa for student status will be valid for a traveler to return to the U.S., a new entry visa for that same status is not required.…STEM OPT Extension, U.S. Address Online Filing Issue
Some students applying online for their STEM OPT Extension are not receiving their EAD cards at their current U.S. address. This issue may impact students who submitted their Post-Completion OPT and their STEM OPT Extension applications…Applying New U.S. Student Entry Visa in Third Country with Current Expired U.S. Student Entry Visa
Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for a new F-1 entry visa inside the U.S.; you can only obtain a new F-1 entry visa applying at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate…How much money/cash can I bring with me (on my person) to the U.S.?
We advise that students be sure to have available to them at least sufficient funds to cover at least 1 full month of costs with them in cash or traveler’s…Jury Duty: I am an international student and received a notice to serve jury duty. I’m I required to serve on a jury?
In order to serve on a jury in Massachusetts, you must meet ALL of the following criteria: *Be a citizen of the United States*Be 18 or older*Be a resident of…Must my passport be valid for 6 months into the future when I enter the U.S. from abroad?
U.S. federal regulations require that a passport “must be valid for a minimum of six months from the expiration date of the contemplated period of stay” [INA 212(a)(7)(B); 8 USC…Guidance On Determining “Directly Related” Employment For F-1 Off-Campus Work/Employment Authorizations
F-1 student U.S. federal immigration regulations [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)] mandate that all off-campus work/employment must be DIRECTLY RELATED to a student’s major degree field of study at MIT. This includes…Can an international student submit an entry to the U.S. Diversity Visa Program?
Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Diversity Visa Program, also referred to as the Diversity Visa “Lottery”, is offered each year. Individuals have to submit an “entry” via…My F-1 OPT application has been approved, but the EAD card was lost, stolen, and/or contains incorrect information. What can I do?
EAD Card Replacement & Correction Guide I. Important Initial Steps II. EAD Card Replacement/Correction By Situation For Students Who Never Received Their EAD Card For USCIS EAD Card Errors For…Spring 2021 Registration Guidance for International First-Year Students
A response to inquiries about in-person course requirements for first-year international students on F-1 and J-1 visasUSDHS Guidance for Fall 2020 Continues for Spring 2021 – posted December 11, 2020
(posted as an ISO Update, and emailed to all MIT international students, on December 11, 2020) While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not posted any official communication, a…Fall 2020 USDHS Guidance on International Students – July 29, 2020
(posted as an ISO Update, and emailed to all MIT international students, on July 29, 2020) As noted in previous communications, MIT was awaiting additional governmental guidance on new international…Am I allowed to pursue F-1 OPT during or after multiple degrees I pursue in the U.S.?
Students in F-1 status, enrolled as a full-time student for at least one full academic year (Fall + Spring term) in their degree program, are eligible for up to 12…I completed a previous Master’s degree in F-1 status in the U.S., but did not apply for and have approved OPT based on that degree. Would I be eligible for OPT during/after completion of a second Master’s degree in the U.S.?
Students in F-1 status, enrolled as a full-time student for at least one full academic year (Fall + Spring term) in their degree program, are eligible for up to 12…My entry visa in my passport is expiring soon, do I need to leave the U.S. and obtain a new visa before it expires?
Your entry visa is like a ticket to get into the U.S., you only need to have a valid visa in your passport to enter the U.S. from abroad. Once…I need legal advice, where can I go to contact an attorney/lawyer?
If you have immigration questions that may require a consultation with an immigration attorney, we recommend that you first contact your ISO Advisor regarding your student visa status. Your ISO…F-1 Five-Month Temporary Absence Rule
(This does NOT apply to J-1 visa holders) Updated 12/11/2024 Under U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) regulations, a student in F-1 status is considered to be maintaining status without…What to Do If You Haven’t Received a Receipt Notice from USCIS
If a student has not received an I-797 Receipt Notice for their USCIS application (e.g., Change of Status (Form I-539) or OPT/STEM OPT (Form I-765), etc.), follow these steps to…