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…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…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…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…MIT International Scholars Office posts Q&A on COVID-19 Guidance Impact on International Scholars/Researchers
The MIT International Scholars Office (ISchO) issued this Q&A on the COVID-19. This information was shared directly with MIT international scholars as well as Department, Lab, and Center HR administrators.…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…USDHS Announces Restriction on “Non-Essential” Travel Between Canada-U.S.-Mexico
On March 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued joint statements with the Governments of Canada and Mexico that “Non-Essential” travel between the countries will be temporarily restricted…USCIS Temporarily Suspends In-Person Services at Field Offices; No Change to USCIS Service Centers and Mail Lockbox Centers.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the temporary closure of in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and Application Support Centers (ASCs) to combat the spread of…U.S Tax Payment Deadline Changed to July 15, 2020; Tax Return Filing Deadline Still April 15, 2020
The U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that individuals who owe tax as part of the income tax filing process this year can defer payment…ISO Office Hours
The ISO will be OPEN today, Thursday, March 19, from 10:00am-3:00pm for document pickup/dropoff only. As of Friday, March 20, the ISO will operate virtually (no staff physically in the…USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for FY21 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the temporary suspension of premium processing service for fiscal year (FY) 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions. Petitioners filing FY 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions will…