USCIS Applications Subject to Review of “Anti-Americanism”/”Anti-Semitism” and Other Factors
On August 19, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has expanded the types of benefit requests that receive social media vetting, adding reviews for “anti-American” and…U.S. Department of State Reduces Duration of New Visas for 50+ Countries
In early July 2025, the U.S. Department of State began making changes to visas for international students and scholars from the 54 countries listed below. The changes apply to the…US Department of State Updates Visa Interview Waiver Eligibility for Most Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
Effective September 2, 2025, the US Department of State will significantly reduce the types of visa applicants eligible for a waiver of interview at US Consulates. Most nonimmigrant visa applicants…ISO Virtual Forum: Visa Processing – July 9, 2025 at 7:00pm Eastern US Time
ISO Virtual Forum: Visa Processing Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00pm Eastern U.S. Time (Cambridge, Massachusetts time) Open to all MIT international students, incoming and continuing. Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/95521082582*Kerberos login and…ISO, most MIT Offices, CLOSED on Friday, July 4, 2025 for the Independence Day holiday
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The ISO will close for walk-ins at 3:00pm on…Student and Scholar (F, J, M) Visa Interviews To Resume with New Vetting Procedures
Dear International Students and Scholars, The U.S. Department of State has announced that they will resume scheduling entry visa interviews for student and scholar visa statuses (F, J, M) at U.S. Embassies/Consulates…ISO, Most MIT Offices, CLOSED on Thursday, June 19, 2025
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. The ISO will re-open on Friday, June 20 at 9:00am for…ISO Summer In-Person/Walk-In Office Hours: June 16 – August 1, 2025
ISO Staff will be working Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm, but will have a hybrid of in-person, walk-in hours and days when staff will be in the office or working fully remote…New Students: Report Scheduled Visa Interviews/Visa Approvals; U.S. Travel Restrictions
The following ISO Broadcast Alert email was sent to all New Admitted MIT International Students on Monday, June 9, 2025. Please see full text of email below. ISO Broadcast Alert…Presidential Proclamation Implements U.S. Travel Restrictions for Nationals from 19 Countries
Dear international students and scholars, On June 4, 2025, the White House released a Presidential Proclamation titled Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign…ISO, Most MIT Offices, CLOSED on Monday, May 26, 2025
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The ISO will close for walk-ins beginning at 3:00pm on…REAL ID Requirement for Domestic Flights in the U.S. Effective May 7, 2025
Starting on May 7, 2025, an individual 18 years of age or older will need to show a state-issued identification document or driver’s license under REAL ID requirements, or another…The ISO, and Most MIT Offices, CLOSED on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Observance of Patriots’ Day
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Monday, April 21, 2025, in observance of the Patriots’ Day holiday. The ISO will close for walk-ins beginning at 3:00pm on…New DHS Rule Requiring Re-Registration of Nonimmigrant Children Reaching Age 14 while inside the U.S.
An interim final rule, Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration, was published by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, on March 12, 2025 and will…NEW ADVICE: Always Carry Immigration Documents, Review ISO Travel Reminders, & Report Changes/Updates
ATTENTION: This Guidance Remains In Effect Until Further Notice.The ISO Will Issue Updates As New Information Becomes Available. The following information was included in the ISO’s March 28, 2025, Newsletter.…Update to International Travel Guidance
ATTENTION: This Travel Guidance Remains In Effect Until Further Notice.The ISO Will Issue Updates As New Information Becomes Available. Dear international students and scholars, As you know, we continually monitor…Special Topics in Immigration and International Travel resources provided by the MIT Office of General Counsel
The MIT Office of General Counsel has published updated resources titled Special Topics in Immigration and International Travel on its webpage. The resources can be accessed here (Kerberos and Touchstone…Potential impact on international students and scholars of a US government shutdown
UPDATE: 03/15/2025: Last night the U.S. Senate passed the budget continuing resolution, and today President Trump signed the resolution, preventing a government shutdown. The new continuing resolution extends the operations…Travel Reminders – Spring 2025
Please Read Through the End of the Full Letter Below Dear MIT International Students, We know that many students are considering travel plans for the Spring term, and specifically the…