News and Announcements

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 […]

UPDATED 04/22/2021: 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 additional period (to May 21, 2021). This travel restriction has been in place since March 21, 2020. A copy of the Federal Register Notice on […]

On April 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students applying for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT), using Form I-765, can be filed online.  Applications can also continue to be filed by mail.   The option of filing online is only available to F-1 students […]

On April 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of State issued and announcement and FAQ to provide an update on the status of visa services at U.S. Embassies/Consulates abroad that have been impacted by COVID-19 as they move towards a return to full staffing and offering full visa services.  The summary indicates the prioritization of immigrant […]

The following information is included in a series of notes from the Vice Chancellor about important information about remote international appointments for the Summer and Fall 2021.  We are sharing below the text of emails going out to two groups:(1) All Currently Enrolled Graduate Students(2)  Undergraduate Students A specific draft of an email to Newly-Admitted […]

UPDATED 03/19/2021: 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 additional period (to April 21, 2021). This travel restriction has been in place since March 21, 2020. A copy of the Federal Register Notice on […]

The ISO joins the entire MIT community in our shock and outrage at the rise in anti-Asian violence being experienced in the U.S. and abroad.   On March 18, 2021, MIT President L. Rafael Reif emailed the MIT community with our shock and outrage at the rise in anti-Asian violence being experienced in the U.S. and abroad. […]

On March 18, 2021, MIT President L. Rafael Reif released a letter to the MIT Community addressing the surge in anti-Asian violence and discrimination, and voicing solidarity with the MIT community in denouncing these acts.