CONGRATULATIONS ON ADMISSION TO MIT!
The International Students Office (ISO) provides essential information and guidance throughout every stage of an international student’s MIT academic journey, encompassing pre-arrival readiness, their time at MIT, and alumni support beyond an international student’s MIT academic journey.
Additionally, this entire ‘Getting Started’ section of our website offers vital information and outlines crucial requirements for students to succeed in the planning of their arrival to the U.S. and MIT.
We encourage students to thoroughly review all of the ISO ‘Getting Started’ webpages for comprehensive answers to common questions. *Please note that procedures may differ for undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree students, but we aim to present clear instructions for all groups. Upon arrival, students should expect detailed information and opportunities to complete their immigration orientation and check-in requirements.
- Initial Steps for Students OUTSIDE the U.S.
- Initial Steps for Students INSIDE the U.S.
- Important Reminders
GETTING STARTED – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
New/Incoming Student Arrival to the U.S.: For students planning to enter the U.S. to begin their in-person program at MIT, be aware that individuals in F or J status are allowed to arrive NO EARLIER than 30 days BEFORE the start date listed on a student’s MIT-issued “Certificate of Eligibility” document (i.e., F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019).
Initial Steps for Students OUTSIDE the U.S.
Receive the MIT-issued Initial Attendance “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s), Form I-20, or Form DS-2019.
*If a student is already in the U.S., in an F or J student status, they can go to the next section.
Prior to arrival, new/incoming international students outside the U.S. must:
- Submit the required information and documentation to request an MIT-issued “Certificate of Eligibility” document (i.e., F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019).
- After a student submits their ‘Requesting an I-20 (F-1 Student) or DS-2019 (J-1 Student)’ e-Form in iMIT, an ISO team member will review the student’s information and documentation and issue the “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) for the student.
- ISO processing times for new/initial document requests is 15 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) of a complete and correct ‘Requesting an I-20 or DS-2019’ e-Form submission. Any errors or unacceptable documentation submitted in the e-Forms will cause a delay in the issuance of a student’s Certificate of Eligibility” document(s).
- Receive the MIT-issued “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s), Form I-20, or Form DS-2019.
- Students can check the status of their “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) request by returning to their e-Form submission page in iMIT. When the ISO has issued a student’s “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) the e-Form status will change from “Pending” to “Approved”.
- The ISO will email all “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) to a student’s @mit.edu email address (ONLY). The student will be required to print, hand sign (wet signature), and date the “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s).
- Carefully review and complete ALL the requirements listed on the ISO ‘Pre-Arrival Checklist’ webpage.
- NOTE: F and J students can ONLY arrive up to 30 days before the start date listed on their “Certificate of Eligibility” document (Form I-20 or DS-2019). Example: If the start date listed on a “Certificate of Eligibility” document is September 3, 2024, the student can only enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior (i.e., no earlier than August 4, 2024).
Initial Steps for Students INSIDE the U.S.
Receive the MIT-issued Initial Attendance “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s), Form I-20,or Form DS-2019.
Prior to arrival, new/incoming international students inside the U.S. must:
- Submit the required information and documentation to request an MIT-issued “Certificate of Eligibility” document (i.e., F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019).
- After a student submits their “New F-1 Student Application” or “J-1 Application for New Student” e-Form in iMIT, an ISO team member will review the student’s information and documentation and issue the “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) for the student.
- IMPORTANT: If a student is already in the U.S., at another U.S. academic institution, in an F-1 or J-1 U.S. student immigration status AND wishes to maintain the same U.S. student immigration status, they will need to provide additional information while requesting an MIT-issued “Certificate of Eligibility” document (F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019).
- Students departing the U.S. before their “SEVIS Transfer Release Date” will result in the student receiving a new ‘Initial Attendance’ “Certificate of Eligibility” document, instead of a ‘Transfer-In’ document (which may require the payment of a new I-901 SEVIS Fee).
- IMPORTANT: If a student is already in the U.S., at another U.S. academic institution, in an F-1 or J-1 U.S. student immigration status AND wishes to maintain the same U.S. student immigration status, they will need to provide additional information while requesting an MIT-issued “Certificate of Eligibility” document (F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019).
- ISO processing times for complete and correct ‘Requesting an I-20 or DS-2019’ e-Form transfer-in requests is 15 business days after the student’s “SEVIS Transfer Release Date” (excluding weekends and holidays). Any errors or unacceptable documentation submitted in the e-Forms will cause a delay in the issuance of a student’s Certificate of Eligibility” document(s).
- After a student submits their “New F-1 Student Application” or “J-1 Application for New Student” e-Form in iMIT, an ISO team member will review the student’s information and documentation and issue the “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) for the student.
- Receive the MIT-issued “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s), “Transfer” Form I-20, or “Transfer” Form DS-2019.
- Students can check the status of their “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) request by returning to their e-Form submission page in iMIT. When the ISO has issued a student’s “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) the e-Form status will change from “Pending” to “Approved”.
- The ISO will email all “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) to a student’s @mit.edu email address (ONLY). The student will be required to print, hand sign (wet signature), and date the “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s).
- Next, carefully review and complete all the requirements listed on the ISO ‘PRE-Arrival Checklist’ webpage.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
ISO Processing Times
- ISO processing times for new/initial document requests is 15 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). Any errors or unacceptable documentation submitted in the e-Forms will cause a delay in the issuance of a student’s Certificate of Eligibility” document(s).
For Students OUTSIDE the U.S.
- The ISO recommends that students ONLY plan/book travel to the U.S. after applying for and receiving the passport containing the F-1 or J-1 U.S. entry visa sticker/stamp.
- NOTE: Citizens of Canada and Bermuda are exempt from applying for the F or J entry visa sticker/stamp. However, they are still required to follow all other procedures and enter the U.S. with a valid MIT- issued Form I-20 or DS-2019 “Certificate of Eligibility” document, valid passport, acceptance letter, financial documents confirming funding for the program and a SEVIS Fee Receipt.
For Students INSIDE the U.S.
For students already in the U.S., planning travel outside the U.S. before their MIT program begins:
- New/incoming MIT international students in F-1 or J-1 status, arriving to the U.S. from abroad with their MIT- issued MIT “Certificate of Eligibility” (Form I-20/Form DS-2019), may arrive in the U.S. NO EARLIER than 30 days before the start date of the program indicated on their MIT-issued “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s).
- This includes those who may have recently been in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status at a different U.S. institution and plan to travel between the end of their previous program and before the start of their MIT program.
ATTENTION: Students already in the U.S., in another U.S. immigration status (F-2, J-2, H-1B, O-1, TN, etc.), must review the ISO ‘Change of Immigration Status’webpage and contact their ISO Advisor immediately to discuss next steps. Individuals wishing to study at MIT should be in either F or J student status, or another U.S. immigration status that allows for full-time study, before enrolling in classes at MIT. NOTE: Students changing their U.S. immigration status to either F or J, are required to pay a new I-901 SEVIS Fee).
Additional Questions?
After thoroughly reviewing the ISO ‘Getting Started’ webpages, students with additional questions are encouraged to use the search tool located at the top of the ISO website or consult the comprehensive FAQ section on the ISO ‘Knowledge Base’ webpage. Additionally, MIT students have the option to contact their designated ISO Advisor directly for assistance.
