News and Announcements

On May 13, 2021, U.S. Department of State posted an update to its posting on April 26, 2021 eligibility for National Interest Exemption (NIE) to the 14-day travel restriction to the U.S. for certain travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland (including F students and certain J exchange visitor […]

MIT Medical has posted a Vaccine Information FAQ, including specific questions received from international students. Please view the Vaccine Information FAQ here, and do visit in the future for updates. Additional details about accessing the MIT Campus during the COVID-19 pandemic is available here.

On May 7, 2021, MIT President Rafael Reif sent a letter to the community regarding the continued suffering due to the pandemic around the globe, and specifically the recent surge in cases in India and South Asia, and resources available to support our community. To read President Reif’s full statement, click here.

The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia website indicates that routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services have been suspended. No date is given regarding the possible resumption of services. This follows a previous announcement that, effective May 12, 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow would reduce consular services including non-immigrant (F-1, J-1, H-1B) visa processing and many U.S. citizen […]

On April 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of State announced that certain individuals (including those in F and M student visa status and certain J exchange visitor categories) traveling to the U.S. from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland may be eligible for a “National Interest Exemption” (NIE) […]

On April 30, 2021, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation/Executive Order adding India to the list of countries subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions for entry to the U.S. within 14 days of being physically present in India. This Executive Order restricts/suspends entry to the U.S. for “noncitizens of the United States who were physically present within […]

ISO Update: May 1, 2021 Contents(1) Executive Order Imposing COVID-19 Travel Restrictions to U.S. adds India(2) U.S. State Department Announces Limits to Visa Services in India(3) USDOS Provides Updated Guidance on National Interest Exemptions for Certain Travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and India(4) USICE/SEVP […]

If you encounter issues at your U.S. Port-of-Entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where additional information is requested, please contact the ISO Emergency Phone Number: 617-258-5480. This number is NOT to be used to report a successful entry to the U.S., only if you encounter problems at the port-of-entry. For non-Port-of-Entry or non-emergency inquiries, […]

On April 27, 2021 the U.S. Department of State announced that all in-person and interview-waiver visa appointments are cancelled at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, and the Consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata until May 15, 2021 due to COVID-19. The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai is only providing emergency services to U.S. citizens and emergency visa […]

On April 26, 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced that their international student enrollment guidance will remain the same for the 2021-2022 academic year.  As stated in the announcement, the guidance over the past year (issued in March 2020) will remain in effect for the […]