Major Immigration Updates

Proof of Full COVID-19 Vaccination Required to Enter U.S. from Canada and Mexico
On January 20, 2022, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) announced that all non-U.S. citizens entering the U.S. via land and ferry terminal ports of entry from Canada or Mexico…
ISO Travel Guidance – Fall/Winter Break 2021-2022
UPDATE 12/29/2021: Effective December 31, 2021, the travel restrictions to the U.S. from the 8 countries of Southern Africa will be revoked. For details, please click here. ALL travelers must…
USCBP Lifts U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions at Land/Ferry Border Crossings, Requires Proof of Full COVID-19 Vaccination
On December 23, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) announced that it has lifted the restrictions on “Non-Essential Travel” (e.g., for tourism purposes) for fully vaccinated individuals traveling through…
USDOS Extends Discretion for Consulates to Waive In-Person Visa Interviews For Certain Nonimmigrants Through End of 2022
On December 23, 2021, the U.S. Department of State announced that it has extended authorization to consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants –…
Travel Restrictions to the U.S. from 8 Countries of Southern Africa REVOKED, effective December 31, 2021
On December 28, 2021, U.S. President Joseph Biden issued a Proclamation that revokes the prohibition on entry to the U.S. by non-U.S. citizens who had been physically present in 8…
ISO Update – December 29, 2021
CONTENTS Travel Restrictions to the U.S. from 8 Countries of Southern Africa REVOKED, effective December 31, 2021 USDOS Extends Discretion for Consulates to Waive In-Person Visa Interviews For Certain Nonimmigrants…
ISO CLOSED for Winter Break; Operate VIRTUALLY During First Weeks of IAP
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed for the Winter Holiday Break. The ISO will be closed, starting on Thursday, December 23, 2021 (3:00pm Eastern U.S. Time). The…
MIT Announces COVID-19 Response Update for IAP (January 2022)
On Tuesday, December 21, 2021, MIT announced changes in operations for IAP 2022. Highlights of the announcement include the following: Omicron is rapidly changing the situation, and MIT is responding.  January IAP will…
USDOS Publishes Revised Policy on Determining Nonimmigrant Intent for Student Visa Applicants
On December 20, 2021, the U.S. Department of State updated its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) providing guidance to visa officers on assessing “nonimmigrant intent” by student visa applicants (F-1 and…
U.S. Updates Travel Requirements –Negative COVID-19 Test within 1 Day of Travel to U.S.
On December 2, 2021, U.S. President Biden announced new actions to combat COVID-19, which included an update that all travelers to the U.S. must have proof of a negative COVID-19…
U.S. Announces Travel Restrictions From 8 Countries of Southern Africa
UPDATE: 12/29/2021: Effective December 31, 2021, the travel restrictions to the U.S. from the 8 countries of Southern Africa will be revoked. For details, please click here. ALL travelers are…
ISO CLOSED – November 25-26, 2021 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The ISO will re-open for walk-ins on…
MIT Remote Appointment Guidance For Spring 2022
The Office of the Vice Chancellor announced that MIT guidance on in-person learning and remote appointments for Fall 2021 will continue for the Spring 2022 semester.  Students are expected to…
ISO CLOSED – November 11, 2021 in observance of Veterans Day
The ISO, and most MIT offices, will be closed on Thursday, November 11 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. ISO staff will respond to emails as soon as possible…
USDOS Issues Final Rule Updating NAFTA with USMCA; Visa Classifications Remain Unchanged
On November 5, 2021, the U.S. Department of State announced a final rule that replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), effective…
USDHS Announces Fully Vaccinated Travelers Permitted to Enter U.S. at Land and Ferry Border Crossings, Effective November 8, 2021
On October 29, 2021 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that travelers providing documentation confirming they are fully vaccinated for COVID will be able to enter the U.S. for…
2021 – 2022 International Student Statistics are now Available!
Below are the General Statistics for the International Student body for the 2021-2022 academic year. Please click here for more comprehensive statistics.  Student Body Composition Degree Level International   US Citizen   US Perm…
Presidential Proclamation Lifts Travel Bans and Establishes Vaccine/Testing Requirements For Air Travel to U.S., Effective November 8
UPDATE 12/03/2021: U.S. Updates Travel Requirements – Negative COVID-19 Test within 1 Day of Travel to U.S., effective December 6, 2021; vaccination requirements remain unchanged from Presidential Proclamation effective November…
U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 01/21/2022
UPDATED 10/21/2021: 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…
U.S. to Allow Fully Vaccinated Travelers to Enter from Canada and Mexico via Land Border and Ferry Ports of Entry
On October 12, 2021, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security announced that, beginning in November 2021, non-essential travelers (for example, tourists, friends and family visitors) who have been fully vaccinated…