MOST RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS Please check the website for more details
USDHS/ICE Guidance: In Response to COVID-19, F status 5-month Temporary Absence Rule Will Not Apply
BEWARE OF SCAMS, in particular of someone claiming to be ISO Director, David Elwell
U.S. Federal Tax Filing Deadline Changed to July 15, 2020
Updating Address Information If Moving in the U.S. or Abroad
U.S. State Department Suspends Routine Visa Services in Most Countries
USDHS Announces Restriction on “Non-Essential” Travel Between Canada-U.S.-Mexico
USCIS Temporarily Suspends In-Person Services at Field Offices; No Change to USCIS Service Centers & Mail Lockbox Centers
MIT COVID-19 Response website
MIT is tracking the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation daily, offering ongoing updates and guidance at this website: http://web.mit.edu/covid19/
This guidance may change quickly as new information becomes available.
Please read the ISO email that was sent March 5, 2020 from iso-broadcast@mit.edu regarding information and instructions about tax filing, including how to use Glacier Tax Prep software that is available on the ISO website. For more information, please refer to the Tax Guidance for Nonresident Aliens website: https://vpf.mit.edu/tax-guidance-for-nonresident-aliens. Please note: The tax deadline for year 2019 is now Wednesday, July 15, 2020. If you did not receive the March 5 email and are having your email forwarded to Gmail, please check your junk mail.
Updating address information if moving in the US or abroad
International students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to continually update SEVIS about any address changes within 10 days of any move. The following guidance will assist you in reporting an address update, which will allow the ISO to report these changes to SEVIS.
(a) If a students is returning to home country or abroad during the Spring term, but planning to return to the U.S. in the Summer or Fall, we ask students to update in WebSIS their “Term” and “Temporary” address to reflect their address abroad. You do not need to change the “SEVIS US Address” if you will spend the Spring term abroad and plan to return.
(b) If a student plans to remain in the U.S. in Spring or Summer, but are moving to another address in Massachusetts or elsewhere in the U.S. – then the student needs to update their “SEVIS US Address” (in addition to the "Term" and "Temporary" addresses) in WebSIS so the ISO can report the new U.S. Address to SEVIS.
If any questions arise, please contact your ISO Advisor Point-of-Contact.
Reminder: Applying for CPT or OPT
Due to the transition from on-campus to online/remote instruction at MIT, and the requirement to limit in-person programming, the ISO is making available our "F-1 Practical Training (OPT-CPT) Information Session" presentation slides for students to review in place of attending an in-person session. For students submitting an I-20 Request for OPT applications on iMIT, on the eform "Attending the OPT Information Session," under the scheduled session date type the date you completed your review of all of the presentation slides; under "ISO Advisor- who conducted your workshop" please type "Online." The "F-1 Practical Training (OPT-CPT) Information Session" presentation slides are available here.
RMV strictly enforcing a No Walk-In Policy
Effective today, Friday, March 27 the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is enforcing a strict no walk-in policy at its eight service centers that are open to the general public. Only Customers with Appointment Reservations Will Be Served for Required In-Person Transactions. Appointment reservations can be made online at in the myRMV Online Service Center under “Make or Cancel a Reservation.”
Virtual Programs
Navigating Your Career
Presented by Lauren Celano, Co-founder and CEO of Propel Careers
Organized by CAPD, Career Advising & Professional Development
Navigating Your Career Choices for Grad Students | Thurs April 9th | 2:30-3:30pm | Online | Register Here
This interactive session will provide tips and advice in order to structure an effective career exploration process and ultimately a career search.
Navigating Your Career Choices for Undergrads | Thurs April 9th | 4-5pm | Online | Register Here
This interactive session will provide an overview of the various career paths available to students after earning an undergraduate degree with a focus on paths including research and non-research career paths in industry as well as career paths in consulting, non-profit organizations, and academia.
The speaker, Lauren Celano, is the Co-founder and CEO of Propel Careers and has helped thousands of students, postdocs, and professionals advance their careers. Before Propel, she spent 10 years in life sciences with SNBL USA, Aptuit, Quintiles, and Absorption Systems. She has a B.S. (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Gettysburg College) and an MBA (health sector & entrepreneurship focus; Boston University). Lauren is on the Board of MassBioEd, the Advisory Boards of BU’s SPH Pharmaceuticals Program, the Professional Science Masters at Framingham State University and NE GWISE, and serves on the selection committee for ILC’s Life Sciences Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Wellness Resources
MIT Recreation:
"Wellbeats" for Virtual health and wellness
MIT Recreation is here to help you maintain a healthy mind and body! The health and safety of our community – our employees, members, and MIT students – is our top priority. We are creating more ways to help you stay active, even if you are away from campus, with virtual workouts, wellness tips, and more.
IntroducingWellBeats FREE Virtual Fitness Programming Use Access Code: b27fdf55
Sign-up Here: portal.wellbeats.com | More InfoManaging stress around COVID-19:
Free online groups available to students
Mondays & Thursdays in March and April
Both groups meet 5pm to 6pm
See FLYER for more info
This confidential group discussion hopes to provide a safe, supportive space to talk about any COVID-19 related concerns that currently affect MIT students. Recognizing signs of distress, healthy coping strategies to manage stress, practicing effective self-care, & ways of supporting MIT community will be discussed. Updated information on COVID-19 and resource sheets will also be shared.
Facilitated by: Xiaolu Hsi, PhD and Rachel Ganz, LICSW
Random Acts of Kindness
The ISO encourages you to take care of yourself and others physically and virtually near you. The following is a list of random acts of kindness that may help others (and yourself) feel better during this time of uncertainty and isolation.
Make a music playlist for someone Bake cookies for your roommates Praise a local business online Ask an elderly relative about their past Give your favorite book to a friend Write a Thank You note to someone in your past who’s made an impact on your life Order a food delivery for a friend Donate to a friend’s charity Tip your delivery driver extra Wash your roommates’ dishes Reconnect with an old friend Buy local products from a small vendor online Text someone good morning or goodnight Write down a friend’s best qualities (and give it to them) Send someone nice comments on social media Make and send a handmade card or handwritten note Take 15 minutes to really listen to someone Send a random Thank You email to someone You admire Put your phone away when you’re with family or friends Share your favorite recipe with a friend; cook together virtually Make someone laugh Complete a task for your roommate or friend that he/she hates doing Avoid negative thoughts for a day – show yourself some kindness too!
Support Your Local Restaurants
Here are a few simple things you can do to help your favorite restaurants weather this storm:
Order take-out or delivery. Many restaurants that don’t usually offer these options are making exceptions.
Tip generously if you can afford it. Tipped workers are some of the first to suffer in times of economic distress.
Consider purchasing restaurant gift cards if they’re offered
