Visas and Travel

Visas & Travel Information For MIT International Students

ATTENTION: This webpage contains essential guidance for MIT international students on travel, immigration documentation, and visa procedures. Students are strongly encouraged to review the information and the linked resources carefully to maintain a valid U.S. immigration status.

IMPORTANT: This guidance remains in effect until further notice. The ISO will issue updates as new information becomes available.

POLICIES, RESTRICTIONS, GUIDANCE, & REMINDERS

Travel Policies & Restrictions

The following web pages contain information on current travel policies and restrictions affecting the MIT international community:

  • MIT Resources:
    • Response to Government Activity webpage.
      • Related resources are available on the Office of General Counsel (OGC) webpage [Kerberos/Touchstone Required].
    • Global Support Resources website.
      • Provides detailed guidance on MIT’s Student Travel Policy, including but not limited to information on requirements for registering MIT-related and personal travel, return-to-campus procedures, and travel and safety abroad.
  • ISO Resources:
    • Recommendation to Postpone International Travel webpage.
      • Provides updated guidance from the ISO and ISchO about postponing travel outside the U.S. until additional guidance is issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Full details are available on the ISO website [here].
    • New Advice When Traveling Inside the U.S. Guidance webpage.
      • Provides updated guidance that all international students, scholars, and U.S. Permanent Residents carry their original immigration documents at all times, including within the Boston and Cambridge areas. Full details are available on the ISO website [here].
    • News and Announcements webpage.
      • Provides the latest news and crucial announcements that affect the MIT international community.
    • Major Immigration Updates webpage.
      • Provides major immigration updates and guidance.

CRITICAL REMINDER: Presidential Proclamation on U.S. Travel Restrictions [June 4, 2025] – The White House issued a proclamation titled Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, applying new travel restrictions to nationals from 19 countries (including students). This took effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
Full details are available on the ISO website [here].

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Current Travel Guidance

CRITICAL WARNING: All non-U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid international travel at this time due to ongoing global events and the unpredictability of U.S. immigration policies.

As demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions/bans can change with little or no notice. BEFORE making any travel plans, individuals MUST ensure that ALL of their immigration documents are valid and up to date (see the Immigration Document Reminders section below).

Individuals in F-1 and J-1 status who are unable to return to the U.S. may jeopardize their ability to complete their MIT program and pursue U.S. work/employment authorization (CPT, OPT, or Academic Training).
NOTE: Dependents in F-2 or J-2 status would also be affected.

  • Guidance for Current Students: Individuals who still choose to travel abroad should:
    • Notify their academic advisor and department of their travel plans.
    • Prepare a contingency plan in case they are:
      • Unable to return to the U.S. to continue their studies, or
      • Required to return urgently due to sudden policy changes or travel restrictions/bans.
  • Guidance for Alumni Students: Individuals who are currently on F-1 OPT (Post/STEM) or J-1 Academic Training (AT):
    • Notify their employer of their travel plans.
    • Prepare a contingency plan in case they are:
      • Unable to return to the U.S. to continue their studies, or
      • Required to return urgently due to sudden policy changes or travel restrictions/bans.

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Immigration Document Reminders

Individuals in F and J status who choose to travel internationally MUST ensure that ALL their immigration documents are valid and up to date and that they carry ALL required documentation for re-entry to the U.S.

  • BEFORE traveling, individuals MUST review the below for detailed requirements and, if applicable, instructions on obtaining a new “Certificate of Eligibility” immigration document (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) with an updated travel signature.

CRITICAL REMINDER: All non-U.S. citizens are strongly advised to carry their original immigration documents at all times, including when traveling between their residence and campus. Guidance is available through the ISO/ISchO [here] and the Office of General Counsel (OGC) [here].

NOTE: The ISO will continue to share updates through the Major Immigration Alerts & Updates webpage, the weekly ISO e-newsletter, and community-wide email announcements. For additional questions, students and departments should contact their assigned ISO Advisor/Point of Contact directly.

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VISA STICKER/STAMP GUIDANCE, CHECKLIST, & REMINDERS

Application Guidance

ATTENTION: The ISO can NEVER guarantee the outcome of a visa sticker/stamp application or re-entry into the U.S.

Due to increased wait times, additional security checks, and higher denial rates, the ISO is advising everyone NOT to renew a visa sticker/stamp unnecessarily.

  • Key Reminder: A visa sticker/stamp in an individual’s passport is ONLY for “entry” into the U.S. and DOES NOT determine their U.S. immigration status once inside the country.
    • Once inside the U.S., an individual’s legal U.S. immigration status depends on maintaining the following valid and unexpired documents:
      • 1) Valid “Certificate of Eligibility” Immigration Document: A Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 immigration document MUST be unexpired or list valid U.S. work/employment authorization.
      • 2) Unexpired Passport: Passports MUST be valid for at least six (6) months into the future, at all times.
      • 3) Valid I-94 Record: The most recently issued I-94 Record MUST list “F-1” or “J-1” and “D/S”.
  • Visa Sticker/Stamp Analogy: It might be helpful to think of a U.S. visa sticker/stamp as a house key – it’s needed to unlock the door, but NOT required once inside. This is also how a U.S. visa sticker/stamp functions.
    • An unexpired visa sticker/stamp is ONLY required for entry into the U.S., but once inside, it can expire without affecting an individual’s activities, such as transferring to a new university or applying for U.S. work/employment benefits (CPT, OPT, or Academic Training).

NOTE: Additional information can be found on the ISO U.S. Entry Visa Sticker/Stamp Requirements webpage [here]

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Application Checklist

The outcome of a visa sticker/stamp application or re-entry to the U.S. depends on the individual’s ability to demonstrate “non-immigrant intent” by showing clear ties to their home country. This intent is evaluated by a U.S. Consular or Immigration Officer during the application, interview, and inspection process, and CANNOT be confirmed solely through documentation.

  • Before applying for a visa sticker/stamp, individuals MUST:
    • i) Follow official instructions on the U.S. Department of State (DOS) website [here].
    • iv) Review of the appropriate ISO web pages for requirements and, if needed, obtain a new “Certificate of Eligibility” immigration document (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019).
      • Refer to the Immigration Document Reminders section above for additional details.

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Important Considerations & Reminders

  • Visa Sticker/Stamp Unpredictable: U.S. visa sticker/stamp processing at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad remains unpredictable, with most cases subject to extended Administrative Processing (security clearance procedures).
    • NOTE: There is NO OPTION to expedite applications under Administrative Processing (221g), as visa issuance CANNOT occur until all security reviews are complete.
  • Contingency Plans: Individuals MUST review the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for location-specific details and prepare contingency plans in case of travel delays caused by visa sticker/stamp processing.
    • Additionally, they will need to assess how comfortable they are with their travel plans and the need to apply for a visa sticker/stamp.
    • As mentioned earlier, if a visa sticker/stamp is still valid, an individual is ONLY required to apply for a new one if it is set to expire BEFORE their return to the U.S.
  • ISO Processing Times: The ISO processes immigration documents/materials as quickly as possible, typically within 10 business days (excluding holidays or weekends).

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & REMINDERS

Quick Reminders

  • A visa sticker/stamp CANNOT be renewed from within the U.S.
  • Approval is NEVER guaranteed, even for individuals who have previously been approved.
  • The ISO also CANNOT predict processing times or validity periods, as these decisions are determined solely by a U.S. Consular or Immigration Officer.
  • Individuals traveling to country/countries other than their home country or the U.S. MUST verify entry visa requirements for the locations they are visiting or transiting through, and if they have any current travel restrictions.

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MIT Resources

  • Special Topics in Immigration and International Travel (OGC) webpage
  • MIT Global Support Resources – Travel and Safety Abroad website
  • Technology Tips For Travelers (IS&T) webpage
    • International Travel Considerations section

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ISO Resources

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U.S. Government Resources

  • The U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Guidelines For Travel Re-Entry For F-1 Non-Immigrants webpage
  • The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Travel for International Visitors webpage
  • The U.S. Department of State (DOS) J-1 Exchange Visitor Entering the United States information
  • The U.S. Department of State (DOS) J-1 Exchange Visitor webpage
  • The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Travel for International Visitors webpage

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Other Travel Resources

  • The New England Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Know Your Rights: What to Do if You are Detained at a Port of Entry guide
  • The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Know Your Rights: Enforcement at the Airport website

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Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is only for MIT-sponsored students.

For additional questions, students should first review the ISO Entering the U.S. for All International Students web pages thoroughly. They are encouraged to use the ISO search tool (located at the top of the ISO website) or consult the comprehensive FAQ section in the ISO Knowledge Base. MIT students may also contact their designated ISO Advisor directly for assistance.

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MIT Division of Graduate and Undergraduate Education