News Items

USDHS Guidance for Fall 2020 – Current Updates – Awaiting Court Decision
We are all anxious about the recent USDHS guidance, and, as I indicated on Friday, we had hoped to be able to provide you with some answers to your questions…
MIT Reviewing USDHS Guidance/FAQ for Fall 2020
As a follow up to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) Guidance on COVID-19 and procedures impacting international students for Fall 2020, issued on July 6, USDHS on July 7 issued…
MIT Reviewing USDHS Guidance for Fall 2020
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has today issued its guidance on procedures that will apply to international students for the Fall 2020 semester in response to COVID-19.  We understand that USDHS…
Presidential Proclamation Temporarily Suspending Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants in H, L, and J Status
On June 22, 2020, President Trump issued a Proclamation titled Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak. The Proclamation will…
MIT Monitoring Potential Presidential Proclamations
http://iso.mit.edu/immigration/imm_updates.shtml Dear Students: There is speculation that the White House may soon announce an executive action temporarily restricting entry to the US by certain nonimmigrant visa holders, possibly including H-1B…
Presidential Proclamation Impacting Certain Chinese Students and Scholars: Letter to MIT International Students
On Friday, May 29, 2020, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation that may affect certain nationals from the People’s Republic of China seeking entry in F or J visa status…
Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry to U.S. from Brazil, Iran, or China
On May 24, 2020, President Trump issued a Proclamation restricting travel to the US by individuals who have been to Brazil, Iran, or China within the previous 14 days.  The travel restriction takes…
ISO Virtual Forum: F-1 OPT/STEM OPT Extension – recording available
On Thursday, April 30, the ISO, in collaboration with the MIT Career Advising and Professional Development (CAPD) Office hosted a Virtual Forum on issues related to F-1 Optional Practical Training…
Executive Order Suspending Immigrant Visa Entry to the U.S.
Dear International Students and Scholars, We are writing to provide you with information on a new Executive Order (the Proclamation) signed by President Trump yesterday.  We hope that this information…
President Trump Tweets of Possible Executive Order to Suspend Immigration to the U.S.
Last night (Monday, April 20), President Trump tweeted that he will be “signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” in response to COVID-19.   Since…
USDHS Announces Extension of “Non-Essential” Travel Restriction Between Canada-U.S.-Mexico
Update 07/21/2020: Travel restriction between U.S.-Canada-Mexico extended to August 21, 2020. USDHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf released a statement that the restrictions on “Non-Essential” travel between Canada, the U.S., and…
FY H-1B Cap Petitions May Be Filed as of April 1
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that H-1B cap-subject petitions for fiscal year (FY) 2021, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may now be filed with USCIS…
Initial H-1B Electronic Registration Period Closes March 20 for Cap-Subject Employers
The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B cap-subject numerical allocations will close at noon Eastern on March 20, 2020. Registrations must be properly submitted by employers before…
Initial H-1B Electronic Registration Period Closes March 20 for Cap-Subject Employers
The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B cap-subject numerical allocations will close at noon Eastern on March 20, 2020. Registrations must be properly submitted by employers before…
USDHS/ICE Guidance: In Response to COVID-19, F status 5-month Temporary Absence Rule Will Not Apply
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), which oversees the F visa regulations, posted on March 23, 2020 an updated “Frequently Asked Questions” to its website.  In this new guidance, USICE…
Beware of Scams
The ISO has received new reports of some common scam phonecalls that are targeting international students (though some of these calls have also been received by ISO Staff).  We have…
SCAM ALERT: SSN status, Calls from Government, Courier companies
The ISO has received new reports of some common scam phonecalls that are targeting international students (though some of these calls have also been received by ISO Staff).This includes a…
U.S. Federal Tax Filing Deadline Changed to July 15, 2020
To follow up on our posting yesterday, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today that they are officially changing the income tax filing deadline…
Updating Address Information if Moving in the U.S. or Abroad
International students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to continually update SEVIS about any address changes within 10 days of any move.  The following guidance will assist the ISO…
U.S. State Department Suspends Routine Visa Services in Most Countries
The U.S. Department of State has announced that, effective March 18, 2020, it is suspending routine visa services “in most countries”.  The official announcement is available on the State Department…