Major Immigration Updates

May 2021

Executive Order Imposing COVID-19 Travel Restrictions to U.S. adds India
May 1, 2021

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 […]

April 2021

Limits to U.S. Visa Services in India
April 28, 2021

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, […]

USICE/SEVP Issues Enrollment Guidance for Academic Year 2021-2022
April 26, 2021

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 […]

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 05/21/2021
April 22, 2021

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 […]

USCIS Announces I-765 Applications for F-1 OPT, STEM OPT Can Be Filed Online; Awaiting Clarifications on Photo Procedures
April 14, 2021

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 […]

U.S. State Department Issues Visa Services Update
April 8, 2021

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 […]

March 2021

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 04/21/2021
March 20, 2021

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 […]

President Reif: Supporting our Asian community in a difficult time
March 18, 2021

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 […]

February 2021

USCIS Extends Flexibilities to Certain Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT
February 26, 2021

On February 26, 2021, USCIS issued a news release “USCIS Extends Flexibilities to Certain Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT“, providing some support for international students who filed Form I-765 […]

USDOS Announces New Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services
February 25, 2021

On February 24, 2021, the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) announced additional updates to the phased resumption of routine visa services at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. The announcement indicates […]