How Do I Make Appointments With The ISO?

How Do I Make Appointments With The ISO?

Article Content

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE ISO

  • Individuals should first review the ISO website thoroughly and utilize the ISO search tool (located at the top of the ISO website) or consult the comprehensive FAQ section in the ISO Knowledge Base.
  • If they are unable to find an answer to their questions after carefully reviewing all the resources available to them, they may email their ISO Advisor directly for assistance or to schedule an appointment time.
    • NOTE: ISO Advisors will continue to conduct appointments remotely via Zoom.

Back to Top

ISO RESPONSE & PROCESSING TIMES

The ISO receives a large volume of emails and requests. To ensure equity, we follow standard response and processing times. Our goal is to reply within the timelines below (excluding weekends and holidays):

  • Email replies within three (3) business days.
  • Requests within ten (10) business days.

REMINDER: DO NOT call or send a follow-up email BEFORE the above response times have passed.

Back to Top

HOW TO CONTACT THE ISO

  • ISO Hours of Operation: The ISO operates remotely from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST (excluding weekends and holidays) with limited in-person office hours.  
    • Limited In-Person Office Hours (For Urgent Situations ONLY):
      • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays: 10:00 am-3:00 pm (EST).
      • Wednesdays: 1:00 pm-3:00 pm (EST).
  • General Inquiries (Non-Emergency): For routine questions, after a student has thoroughly reviewed the ISO website, they may contact the ISO during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM EST):
  • Emergency Assistance (After Hours): After-hours contact phone numbers should be used ONLY in emergencies, such as CBP requesting additional information or immediate assistance, being denied entry at a U.S. Port of Entry, or being detained by U.S. government officials.
    • ISO Emergency Line: +1-617-258-5480
    • ISO Emergency Line Unavailable: If the ISO emergency number is unavailable, students can contact MIT Police at +1-617-253-2996 or +1-617-253-1212, and they will notify ISO staff.

Back to Top

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

MIT Resources:

  • Special Topics in Immigration and International Travel (OGC) webpage.
  • MIT Global Support Resources – Travel and Safety Abroad website.
  • Technology Tips For Travelers (IS&T) webpage.
  • International Travel Considerations section.
  • The Official MIT Academic Calendar webpage.

ISO Resources:

U.S. Government Resources:

  • The U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Guidelines For Travel Re-Entry For F-1 Non-Immigrants webpage.
  • The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Travel For International Visitors webpage.
  • The U.S. Department of State (DOS) J-1 Exchange Visitor Entering the United States information.
  • The U.S. Department of State (DOS) J-1 Exchange Visitor webpage.
  • The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Travel For International Visitors webpage.
  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Working in the United States webpage.

Other Resources:

  • The New England Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Know Your Rights: What to Do if You are Detained at a Port of Entry guide.
  • The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Know Your Rights: Enforcement at the Airport website.

Back to Top

Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is only for MIT-sponsored students.

Also in this category:

4 ARTICLES

How Do I Find Out About Events That The ISO Is Hosting?

What Are The ISO’s Hours Of Operation & Walk-In Hours?

Who Is My ISO Advisor?

SEE ALL ARTICLES

MIT Division of Graduate and Undergraduate Education