Higher Education Associations File Lawsuit Challenging New CPT Guidance
On October 5, 2026, the Association of American Universities (AAU), Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities…TN and TD Visa Applicants Subject to Expanded State Department Screening Starting October 1, 2026
On September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced that starting October 1, 2026, TN, TD (Canadian and Mexican citizen USMCA professionals and their dependents), and I (foreign media representatives) visa…Presidential Proclamation Purports to Extend $100,000 H-1B Fee Policy
On September 18, 2026, President Trump issued a proclamation purporting to extend the $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions through 9/21/2027. Under the original September 2025 proclamation, the $100,000 fee policy had…Federal Court Postpones Effective Date of Final Rule Eliminating D/S
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. Federal District Court of Massachusetts issued a nationwide temporary injunction in the litigation against the USDHS Final Rule eliminating Duration of Status (D/S), postponing…SEVP Issues New Guidance on CPT Eligibility – Changes Interpretation of “Integral Part of Established Curriculum”
August 31, 2026 Dear international students,On August 24, 2026, the USDHS Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued a Broadcast Message (2608-02) providing new guidance on F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) As…DOS Announces Expedited Tourist Visa Appointment Pilot Program
On August 18, 2026, the US Department of State announced that it is testing an expedited interview appointment program for tourist (B status) visas as select U.S. Embassies/Consulates. The pilot…USDHS Issues Interim Final Rule Mandating Electronic Filing with USCIS
On August 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) published an interim final rule that allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to mandate the electronic filing for…U.S. Tourist Visa Bond Program – Made Permanent Effective August 3, 2026
On August 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published a Final Rule, effective immediately, making permanent the tourist visa bond program (B-1/B-2 for business or tourism) and increasing the…MIT Summary on USDHS Final Rule Eliminating D/S for F and J Statuses
The following email was sent to all MIT international students and scholars on July 24, 2026. July 24, 2026 Dear International Students and Scholars, In follow-up to our note last…USDOS Announces Realignment of U.S. Visa Services in Africa
On July 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) announced that it will be realigning visa operations in Africa to designated regional hubs. This results in visa services not…Final Rule ending of “duration of status” policy for F and J nonimmigrant statuses
Dear MIT International Student and Scholar Community, Today, Friday, July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Final Rule indicating its intent to end the duration…ISO, and most MIT offices, CLOSED on Friday, July 3
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The ISO will close for walk-ins beginning at 3:00pm on…ISO, and most MIT offices, CLOSED on Friday, June 19
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. The ISO will close for walk-ins beginning at 3:00pm on Thursday,…ISO Summer Walk-In Office Hours – June 12-August 7, 2026
For the period of Friday, June 12 through Friday, August 7, 2026, the ISO will have the following in-person/walk-in office hours: Mondays: 10:00am-3:00pmTuesdays: 10:00am-3:00pmWednesdays: FULLY REMOTEThursdays: 10:00am-3:00pmFridays: FULLY REMOTE The…USCIS Issues Policy Memo Requiring Most Applicants for Permanent Residence to Process Final Step Through U.S. Consulates Abroad
On May 22, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new policy memo indicating that USCIS will now grant ‘Adjustment of Status’ to Permanent Resident (Green Card) within the U.S. only…REMINDER: Obtaining Travel Signatures on Form I-20/Form DS-2019
NOTE: You can leave the U.S. without a travel validation signature, but you will need one to re-enter; however, the ISO strongly advises that you secure any new documents prior…SEVP Issues Broadcast Message Regarding Prevention of STEM OPT Employer Fraud
On March 23, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, issued a Broadcast Message “STEM OPT Employer Fraud” regarding a new focus…State Department Adds Countries to the Tourist/Business Visa Bond List
On March 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published an update on their website adding to the list of countries whose nationals may be required to post a “visa bond” when…State Department Expands Tourist/Business Visa Bond List
On January 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published an update to the list of countries whose nationals may be required to post a “visa bond” when applying for…