USCIS Policy Memo Relating to Increased Vetting of Applications from 19 “high-risk” countries
On December 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an updated policy memorandum pertaining to 19 “high-risk” countries, effective immediately. As a result, USCIS is: Placing a “hold”…Expanded Screening of H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants Starting December 15, 2025
On December 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that starting December 15, 2025, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will be subject to a review of their online presence as part…ISO, and most MIT offices, CLOSED on Thursday-Friday, November 27-28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2025, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The ISO will close for walk-ins…Updated USCIS guidance on H-1B petitions
November 18, 2025 On September 19, 2025, a Presidential Proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, instituted a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions effective September 21, 2025. USCIS…ISO EMERGENCY CONTACT PHONE NUMBER for PORT-OF-ENTRY ISSUES
If you encounter issues while traveling, and specifically at your U.S. Port-of-Entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) where additional information is requested by CBP officials, please contact the…ISO, and most MIT offices, CLOSED on Tuesday, November 11
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. The ISO will close for walk-ins beginning at 3:00pm on…Elimination of Automatic Extension of Certain EAD Cards
On October 30, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published an Interim Final Rule ending the automatic extension of certain employment authorization documents (EAD cards). Effective immediately, this means that…2025 – 2026 International Student Statistics are now Available!
Below are the General Statistics for the International Student body for the 2025-2026 academic year. Please click here for more comprehensive statistics. Student Body Composition Degree Level International US Citizen US PermResident …USCIS Requires Electronic Payment of All Fees for Paper-Filed Applications – effective 10/28/2025
Effective October 28, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented its requirement that it will only accept electronic payments for all paper-filed forms filed with their offices. Payments may…ISO, and most MIT offices, CLOSED on Monday, October 13, 2025
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Monday, October 13, 2025, in observance of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday. The ISO will close for walk-ins beginning at 3:00pm…USCIS Proposed Rule for Weighted Selection Process in H-1B Cap Lottery
On September 24, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a proposed rule, Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions, that would change…Potential impact on international students and scholars of a U.S. government shutdown
November 12, 2025: President Trump signed legislation passed by Congress that has ended the U.S. federal government shutdown. While the shutdown has ended, it may take some time for government…New DOS Guidance on Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in Third Countries
On September 6, 2025 the U.S. Department of State issued an announcement (version updated 10/10/2025) that directs nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy…Presidential Proclamation Restricting Entry by H-1B Workers Effective September 21, 2025
November 18, 2025: See Updated MIT and USCIS Guidance posted here: https://iso.mit.edu/news/updated-uscis-guidance-on-h-1b-petitions/ Update to Presidential Proclamation Restricting Entry by H-1B WorkersThe following update was sent by ISchO on the evening of Saturday,…CBP to Increase I-94, ESTA, and EVUS Fees, Effective September 30, 2025
On August 28, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that certain immigration fees for entry to the U.S. will be increased, effective September 30, 2025. The changes in fees…New DOS Guidance on Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in Third Countries
The U.S. Department of State issued an announcement that, effective immediately, nonimmigrant visa applicants should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of…DHS Proposed Rule on F and J Visa Duration
On August 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a rule that would eliminate “Duration of Status (D/S)” for individuals holding F, J, and I nonimmigrant status.…USCIS Applications Subject to Review of “Anti-Americanism”/”Anti-Semitism” and Other Factors
On August 19, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has expanded the types of benefit requests that receive social media vetting, adding reviews for “anti-American” and…U.S. Department of State Reduces Duration of New Visas for 50+ Countries
In early July 2025, the U.S. Department of State began making changes to visas for international students and scholars from the 54 countries listed below. The changes apply to the…