News and Announcements

July 2021

USCIS Announces New Policy Guidance on Change of Status Applications to F-1 Student Status
July 21, 2021

On July 20, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status (COS) to […]

USDOS Announces NIE Issued By US Embassy/Consulate Valid for Entry to US for 12 Months, Multiple Entries
July 9, 2021

On July 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of State announced an Extension of validity for National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) for Travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the […]

June 2021

ISO Updates
June 24, 2021

ISO Update: June 24, 2021 Content(1)  ISO Virtual Forums – next session on June 25, 2021(2)  Virtual Webinars/June Orientation Sessions Posted(3)  MIT Medical Survey for Students Unable to Get Vaccinated […]

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 07/21/2021
June 21, 2021

UPDATED 06/21/2021: USDHS/USCBP has posted to the Federal Register that the Non-Essential travel restriction at land ports of entry between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended for an […]

USDOS Publishes Update on COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Exceptions (National Interest Exemptions)
June 15, 2021

Dated June 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of State updated its posting regarding the current COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and eligible exceptions/exemptions. To view the posting, click here. The June 1, […]

Requirements for In-person Learning and Campus-based Student Appointments for the Fall 2021 – Letter from Vice Chancellor
June 15, 2021

The following information was emailed to MIT students on June 15, 2021 from Vice Chancellor Ian Waitz. The letter can also be accessed directly on the Office of the Vice […]

American Council on Education Letter to USDOS Regarding PP10043 Suspending Entry of Students/Researchers from China
June 10, 2021

On June 10, 2021, the American Council on Education (ACE) sent a letter, co-signed by a number of higher education associations, to the U.S. Department of State outlining concerns about […]

May 2021

USDOS Provides Clarification on NIE for China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, India effective 08/01/2021; applies to travel on F-1 OPT/STEM OPT Extension
May 27, 2021

On May 13, 2021 (and again updated on May 27, 2021), U.S. Department of State posted an update to its posting on April 26, 2021 eligibility for National Interest Exemption […]

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 06/21/2021
May 24, 2021

UPDATED 05/24/2021: USCBP has posted to the Federal Register that the Non-Essential travel restriction at land ports of entry between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended for an […]

India, COVID, and our Global Community
May 7, 2021

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 […]