It is important for you to maintain valid visa status while in the United States and at MIT. Please contact the International Scholars Office (ISchO) if you have any questions or concerns. We can guide you and help ensure your compliance with regulations.
Please do your part to make sure the ISchO always has the most accurate, up-to-date information about you, and inform the ISchO of the following in advance:
- Plans to travel outside the United States. Always check with the ISchO several weeks before traveling to make sure you have all necessary documents and signatures. Also consult the latest ISchO Travel Advisory
- Change of U.S. residential address (see below)
- Change of MIT department, lab, or center
- Change in funding (source and/or amount)
- Change of appointment percentage or title
- Change in work location or additional work location
- Leave of absence
- Leaving the U.S. for an extended period of time
- Early departure from MIT/Termination of MIT appointment
Always pursue your teaching and/or research activities. Do not engage in activities not authorized under your nonimmigrant visa program. If you are not sure if an activity would be permitted, check with the ISchO in advance.
In addition, be sure to do the following:
Notify USCIS of a change of address within 10 days of your move
Most non-U.S. citizens are required to report a change of address to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) within 10 days of the change. The requirements and procedure vary depending on your visa type; please consult our Change of Address page for details.
Carry “evidence of registration” at all times
U.S. immigration law (Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) requires every nonimmigrant 18 years of age and over to carry their “evidence of registration” document at all times, which in most cases would be:
- Most recent Form I-94 arrival record*, downloaded from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home, or
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
*ISchO strongly recommends that you carry a printed copy of your most recent I-94 record with you at all times.
Page updated March 2025