News and Announcements

January 2025

ISO / Most MIT Offices CLOSED on Monday, January 20, 2025 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
January 13, 2025

The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.  The ISO will close for walk-ins […]

H-1B Modernization Rule Issued; Changes in F-1 OPT/STEM OPT – H-1B Cap Gap Authorization Among Other Updates
January 13, 2025

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently finalized the remaining provisions of the H-1B Modernization Act first introduced in October 2023.  Certain provisions related to the H-1B cap were implemented in March […]

December 2024

Potential impact on international students and scholars of a US government shutdown
December 20, 2024

UPDATE: 12/21/2024: Early Saturday morning, December 21, the U.S. Senate voted to pass, and President Biden signed, the continuing resolution which extends government funding through March 14, 2025, thus avoiding […]

ISO Winter Break/IAP Office Hours
December 18, 2024

The ISO will have the following walk-in or remote office hours for the Winter Break and Independent Activity Period (IAP). Please note that while walk-in hours are specific below, when […]

USCIS Updates Interpretation of F-1 Five-Month Temporary Absence Rule
December 12, 2024

On November 26, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated their policy manual to remove conflicting guidance on study away programs that was posted on August 27, 2024.  Specifically, […]

J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List updated – Certain Countries Removed Retroactively
December 11, 2024

On Monday, December 9, 2024, the US Department of State published Public Notice 12555 in the Federal Register, updating the Exchange Visitor Skills List. The new Skills List becomes effective […]

November 2024

ISO / Most MIT Offices CLOSED on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2024
November 20, 2024

The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.  The ISO will close for walk-ins beginning […]

Post-Election Reflection
November 12, 2024

To our Current International Students and Recent Alumni, I know many of us are still reflecting on the results of last week’s U.S. elections.  As with every election, when there […]

U.S. Visa Guidance for Individuals Affected by Events in Lebanon
November 4, 2024

On October 28, 2024, the U.S. Department of State published on its website guidance regarding visa processing at U.S. Embassy in Beirut. In summary, routine nonimmigrant visa processing (including F and […]

ISO EMERGENCY CONTACT PHONE NUMBER for PORT-OF-ENTRY ISSUES
November 1, 2024

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 […]