MIT Graduate International Student Orientation Program
Compliance with U.S. immigration regulations mandates that ALL New/Incoming Graduate International Students, in a degree program at MIT, must complete an immigration orientation course/session and submit necessary documentation/information upon commencing their MIT program. Therefore, it is important for all new/incoming MIT international students to complete specific steps, ensuring the activation of their U.S. immigration status within the U.S. and at MIT by the International Students Office (ISO).
ATTENTION: This is NOT an automatic process; students must be proactive. Students will not be able to complete their enrollment/registration for the term until they have completed the below requirements.
- Who Is Considered A “New/Incoming Graduate International Student”?
- Required Steps To Activate A U.S. Immigration Status
- Additional Information
WHO IS CONSIDERED A “NEW/INCOMING GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT”?
- “New/Incoming” students to the U.S., in F or J status.
- “Return from Leave of Absence (RLOA)” students, in F or J status.
- “Transfer-In” students (i.e., “Transfer Students” are defined as students who transferred their current SEVIS record (F or J) to MIT from another U.S. institution/school).
REQUIRED STEPS TO ACTIVATE A U.S. IMMIGRATION STATUS
STEP 1: Complete an ISO ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse’.
ATTENTION: The ISO ‘Immigration Orientation eCourses’ are exclusively designed for F and J MIT Undergraduate and Graduate degree-seeking students. MIT Non-Degree students (e.g., Special, Exchange, Visiting) should refer to the ISO ‘Non-Degree Students Orientation’ webpage for guidance on fulfilling their immigration orientation requirements.
All new/incoming and transfer-in MIT “Degree-Seeking Undergraduate and Graduate” international students are required to complete an ISO Immigration Orientation eCourse. “Degree-Seeking Undergraduate and Graduate” international Students must complete their specific immigration status (F-1 or J-1) ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse’ and attain a passing grade of 90% or higher on the corresponding (F-1 or J-1) ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse Quiz’.
- Eligible students will be “invited” to their specific immigration status (F-1 or J-1) ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse’ by email. The email invitation will be sent to the student’s @mit.edu email address from Canvas.
NOTE: Students who will come to MIT to participate in a “Non-Degree” program(e.g., the Visiting Student Program (VSP), the Advanced Study Program (ASP) Program, MIT Exchange Programs, and the MIT Special Student Program) must contact their MIT program directly for information on admissions and orientation procedures.- If a student does not receive an email invitation to their specific immigration status (F-1 or J-1) ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse’ from Canvas, and they believe that they are eligible, then the student should first check their Junk/SPAM folders. If the email invitation is still not there, then the student should email iso-help@mit.edu and include their [MIT ID Number, Academic Department and Program, and future MIT program start date].
- Students can complete the ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse’ requirement before or after arrival to the U.S. However, we recommend that student’s complete the eCourse before their arrival to the U.S.
- Students should have their passport, MIT-issued Form I-20 or Form MIT-issued Form DS-2019, visa sticker/stamp (if applicable), and their I-94 Record (if they are inside the U.S.) nearby during the orientation eCourse so that the documents can be referenced during the eCourse.
NOTE: Students should be aware that attending an ‘ISO Virtual Forum’ is optional and does not fulfill the mandatory orientation eCourse/session requirement for students.
What is Covered During a Mandatory ISO ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse’?
During a mandatory ISO ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse’, students will learn about maintaining their legal U.S. immigration status, gain insights into their U.S. immigration documents, travel requirements and restrictions within and outside the U.S., employment guidelines and restrictions in the U.S., and other crucial information related to adapting and residing in the U.S. while studying at MIT. Additional resources will also be provided.
When completing an ISO ‘Immigration Orientation eCourse’, students should have the below materials on-hand during the eCourse/Session:
- Their most recently issued passport.
- Their MIT issued Form I-20 or MIT issued Form DS-2019.
- Their most recently issued I-94 Record, but only if the student is inside the U.S.
- NOTE: Students can only retrieve their I-94 Record after they have entered the U.S. in F or J status. Students can obtain their I-94 Record online from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) ‘Get Most Recent I-94’ webpage. If a student is still currently abroad, then they do not have an I-94 Record yet. However, once they enter the U.S., they must obtain this document.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Undergraduate and Graduate students who will come to MIT and attend the Special Student Program, Exchange Student Program, or MIT Visiting Student Program, must review those specific webpages for their ‘Immigration Orientation’ requirements.
STEP 2: Complete the Required ‘Immigration Online Check-In’ Process
**ATTENTION: The ‘Immigration Online Check-In’ requirements can ONLY be completed once the student has entered into the U.S. in their U.S. immigration status.**
All New/Incoming International Students are required to submit the appropriate “Academic Term” ‘Immigration Online Check-In’ e-Forms in iMIT AFTER their arrival to the U.S.
- For example, if a student’s program at MIT will begin in Fall 2024, then the student can only submit the Fall 2024 Check-In e-Forms.
Students can find specific instructions on how to complete their ‘Immigration Online Check-In’ requirements on the ISO ‘Online Check-In’ webpage. The ISO will then review and approve a student’s ‘Immigration Online Check-In’ e-Forms, information, and immigration documentation. Therefore, students must follow the specific instructions and guidance as listed on the ISO ‘Online Check-In’ webpage.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
English Evaluation Test (EET) for Graduate Students (ONLY)
All New/Incoming Graduate International Students, pursuing a degree at MIT and where English was not their primary language of instruction from the age of six through high school, are required to attend and complete the English Evaluation Test (EET) requirements. Students can find helpful information and frequently asked questions about the EET on the Comparative Media Studies/Writing (CMSW) website.
Please remember to bring the following to the EET:
- Charged laptop with Google Chrome installed
- Earbuds or wired headphones
- MIT ID (or another government-issued photo ID if you don’t have your MIT ID yet)
** ATTENTION: Students who WILL NOT be entering U.S. to pursue their MIT program are REQUIRED to contact their ISO Advisor BEFORE the start date listed on their MIT “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) (Form I-20, Form DS-2019) **
MIT Office of Graduate Education Grad Orientation 2024 Event Hub
To access a schedule of additional New Graduate Student Orientation events offered through the MIT Office of Graduate Education and the MIT Graduate Student Council, and to be able to sign up for these events, please go to the MIT Office of Graduate Education Orientation page and the MIT Grad Orientation 2024 Event Hub.
Some of the events include those co-sponsored by the MIT International Students Office (ISO):
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27
Communicating More Effectively in a Global Community
Tuesday August 27
1:30pm to 3:00pm
32-123, Stata
Sign up on Orientation Hub
Designed for all grad students!
In this interactive seminar, Bhaskar Pant, Executive Director of MIT Professional Education, will reveal cultural differences affecting communication. He will offer tips to minimize misunderstandings and improve effectiveness in intercultural communication at this global institution of MIT. Encouraged for all new grad students to attend!
ISO Current International Student Panel: Navigating Life at MIT
Tuesday August 27
3:30pm to 5:00pm
32-123, Stata
Sign up on Orientation Hub
Organized by our two grad fellows, Ambar & Manavi
We’re excited to invite you to our International Student Panel, an event designed just for you. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear firsthand experiences from current international students who have won through the process of navigating life at MIT. They’ll share insights on cultural adjustment, surprising moments upon arriving in the US, making friends, building a community, and handling academics in the US. You’ll also get plenty of general advice to help you thrive in your new environment.
Bring all your questions—there will be time for a Q&A session where you can ask anything that’s on your mind. Our panelists have been in your shoes and are here to help you make a smooth transition
We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to the MIT family. 
See you there!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
ISO Grad Welcome Reception
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Time: 5pm to 7pm
Location: Will be shared at a later date with those who sign up
Please sign up on our ISO google form by August 15, 2024
Open to new international grad students, partners/spouses, and children.
Come meet and get to know the International Students Office (ISO) and your peers, as well as listen to important information from MIT Police regarding campus safety. Some current students and spouses/partners will also be there to welcome everyone and answer any questions.
Strongly recommended for new international grad students and their families to attend.
Appetizers will be served.
RSVP (Registration) is required.
SPACE IS LIMITED. If you can no longer attend, PLEASE send an email to Dana Riechman at riechman@mit.edu as soon as possible, but the latest by Thursday, August 15th.
Additional Questions?
After thoroughly reviewing the ISO ‘Getting Started’ webpages, students with additional questions are encouraged to use the search tool located at the top of the ISO website or consult the comprehensive FAQ section on the ISO ‘Knowledge Base’ webpage. Additionally, MIT students have the option to contact their designated ISO Advisor directly for assistance.
