The following message was sent by the International Scholars Office on the morning of Saturday, September 20, 2025, to all MIT international scholars in H-1B status or with pending MIT H-1B petitions:
On Friday, September 19, 2025, President Trump published a Proclamation regarding H-1B worker petitions. Effective Sunday, September 21 at 12:01 am US ET, the rule states that entry to the US by H-1B workers will be restricted, unless the employer’s H-1B petition was submitted with a new/additional filing fee.
We are currently analyzing the Proclamation and its impact on our community.
Although we realize this Proclamation was sudden, and you may not have plans to do so, we recommend, if possible, that you try to return to the US before midnight tonight, Saturday, September 20. If you are not able to return before the Proclamation takes effect, please stay where you are and await further instructions from MIT, so we can advise you when we have more information to share and can plan your future return.
If you are currently outside the US, please email ischo@mit.edu if you have not already been in touch with a member of the ISchO staff.
If you are currently in the US, we recommend that you do not leave the US at this time and await further information.
As clarification becomes available, updates will be posted on the MIT Major Immigration Updates webpage.