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F-1 Five-Month Temporary Absence Rule

(This does NOT apply for J-1 visa holders) Under U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) regulations, a student in F-1 status is considered to be maintaining status without interruption as long...

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I need legal advice, where can I go to contact an attorney/lawyer?

If you have immigration questions that may require a consultation with an immigration attorney, we recommend that you first contact your ISO Advisor regarding your student visa status. Your ISO...

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My entry visa in my passport is expiring soon, do I need to leave the U.S....

Your entry visa is like a ticket to get into the U.S., you only need to have a valid visa in your passport to enter the U.S. from abroad. Once you are inside the U.S., your entry visa can expire and...

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I completed a previous Master’s degree in F-1 status in the U.S., but did not...

Students in F-1 status, enrolled as a full-time student for at least one full academic year (Fall + Spring term) in their degree program, are eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical...

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Am I allowed to pursue F-1 OPT during or after multiple degrees I pursue in...

Students in F-1 status, enrolled as a full-time student for at least one full academic year (Fall + Spring term) in their degree program, are eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical...

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Fall 2020 USDHS Guidance on International Students – July 29, 2020

(posted as an ISO Update, and emailed to all MIT international students, on July 29, 2020) As noted in previous communications, MIT was awaiting additional governmental guidance on new international...

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USDHS Guidance for Fall 2020 Continues for Spring 2021 – posted December 11,...

(posted as an ISO Update, and emailed to all MIT international students, on December 11, 2020) While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not posted any official communication, a statement by...

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Spring 2021 Registration Guidance for International First-Year Students

(posted as an ISO Update, and emailed to all MIT international students, on February 8, 2021) Dear Students, I am writing in response to inquiries we have received about in-person course requirements...

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My F-1 OPT/STEM OPT application has been approved but the EAD card issued has...

If the error on the EAD card was one made by USCIS, that all documentation submitted for the application was correct, then it is possible to request a corrected EAD card, though we recommend you...

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Can an international student submit an entry to the U.S. Diversity Visa Program?

Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Diversity Visa Program, also referred to as the Diversity Visa “Lottery”, is offered each year. Individuals have to submit an “entry” via an online...

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For F-1 Off-Campus Employment, all positions must be directly related to my...

F-1 student visa regulations for F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and STEM Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT) have always required any...

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Must my passport be valid for 6 months into the future when I enter the U.S....

U.S. federal regulations require that a passport “must be valid for a minimum of six months from the expiration date of the contemplated period of stay” [INA 212(a)(7)(B); 8 USC 1182(a)(7)(B);...

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Jury Duty: I am an international student and received a notice to serve jury...

In order to serve on a jury in Massachusetts, you must meet ALL of the following criteria: *Be a citizen of the United States*Be 18 or older*Be a resident of or live in Massachusetts for more than 50%...

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How much money/cash can I bring with me (on my person) to the U.S.?

We advise that students be sure to have available to them at least sufficient funds to cover at least 1 full month of costs with them in cash or traveler’s checks to cover costs until you set up a...

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Applying New U.S. Student Entry Visa in Third Country with Current Expired...

Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for a new F-1 entry visa inside the U.S.; you can only obtain a new F-1 entry visa applying at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad. The best place to apply is...

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STEM OPT Extension, U.S. Address Online Filing Issue

Some students applying online for their STEM OPT Extension are not receiving their EAD cards at their current U.S. address. This issue may impact students who submitted their Post-Completion OPT and...

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How early can I apply for a new Student Entry Visa if my Current Student...

Generally, if an entry visa for student status will be valid for a traveler to return to the U.S., a new entry visa for that same status is not required. From our experience, if the current entry visa...

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I am in the U.S. now and transferring to MIT, but I am planning to travel...

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) regulations provides the transfer procedures to allow an individual in F-1 status to remain in the U.S. for up to 5 months between the end of one program...

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My F-1 OPT/STEM OPT application has been approved but I have not received the...

If you have been notified via your USCIS online account that your F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT), has been approved, it usually...

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A Green Card application has been filed on my behalf, and the Form I-140 has...

First, we STRONGLY advise that you be sure to have a consultation with an immigration attorney before you take any steps towards applying for a Green Card, and continue to consult with that attorney...

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