Travel Advisory

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have increased the level of review that international visitors face at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad, at airports, and at border crossing posts with Canada and Mexico. Ultimately, each individual must decide for him or herself whether or not to travel abroad.

The International Scholars Office's (ISchO) advice to scholars and their family members has not changed. We recommend that you visit our office with your passport and immigration documents at least 30 days before the date you plan to travel. We will review your documents, provide you with up to date travel advice, and sign your travel document (if necessary). More information and advice can be found at http://web.mit.edu/scholars/intlscholars/travel/index.html.

If you choose to travel

• Always consult with an ISchO advisor prior to travel (at least 30 days prior to your departure date).
• Always carry your passport and valid immigration documents for domestic or international travel; passports should be valid for at least six months into the future.
• Always carry proof of MIT employment or appointment such as an updated appointment letter or an invitation letter, and/or recent MIT paycheck stubs.
• Be honest, patient, and courteous with all government officials even if they are not so with you.
• Be aware of "special" registration procedures for nationals of certain countries and for any nonimmigrant who has made unexplainable trips to these countries. Special registrants must use specific ports when leaving the United States. Special registrants departing from Logan International Airport in Boston must "check out" with the Deferred/Secondary Inspections office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Terminal E (walking back towards Terminal D). First, check your luggage with the airline. Then, "check out" with CBP. Be sure to arrive at the airport early enough to complete this procedure (several hours before your flight).
  
  The CBP Deferred/Secondary Inspections office is located on the ground floor in the far left corner of the terminal, through a small corridor. It is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you need to "check out" after hours, go to the "EC" (Entries and Clearance) desk on the opposite side of the hall, and a staff member will call an inspector for you.
  
  Please review the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website at http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm for more information.
• Be sure to surrender your I-94 card* when you leave the United States. When you return to the United States, make sure your new I-94 card is marked by the immigration inspector with the correct notation.
  
  *Some exceptions may apply to short trips to Canada, Mexico, and "adjacent islands" - see http://web.mit.edu/scholars/intlscholars/travel/automatic.html for details.

back to top

When applying for your entry visa stamp, please consider the following:

• You should consult the DOS website at http://www.usembassy.gov/ for appointment scheduling and visa processing information for any U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Be aware that Consulates may require in-person interviews before issuing visas.
• Expect changes in visa processing at some U.S. Embassies and Consulates, including mail-in or "drop box" service for visa applications.
• You may experience delays at U.S. Embassies and Consulates due to special processing requirements that have been imposed on non-immigrant visa applicants (particularly for certain nationalities, including Cuba, Syria, Sudan, and Iran). This may lead to a delay from several weeks to several months in visa issuance. See the DOS notice at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1300.html.
• The cost of the machine-readable visa stamp is $131. You will be required to pay this fee along with the reciprocity fee for your country.
• New F-1, J-1, and M-1 visa applicants must pay a "SEVIS fee." However, if you are applying for a visa extension, you are not required to pay this fee. Please read the information at http://web.mit.edu/scholars/intlscholars/visas/sevisfee.html before you travel.
• All nonimmigrant visa applicants must complete and submit Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and all applicants for student or exchange visitor visas (F, M, J) must also submit Form DS-158 (Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant). You can view these forms at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html. An additional security clearance may be conducted following review of the forms that may take one to several months.
• All male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply, must submit Form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application) in addition to Forms DS-156 and DS-158. Others may be asked to complete Form DS-157 as well. You can view this form at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html. An additional security clearance may be conducted following review of the forms that may take one to several months.
• For scholars conducting research in certain technologically sensitive fields, on the Technology Alert List, DOS is required to conduct a security clearance prior to issuing an initial U.S. entry visa or extension of visa through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Clearance may take one to several months. For more information, go to http://web.mit.edu/scholars/administrators/visadelays.html.
• If you believe there is a possibility that a security clearance will be conducted, we recommend that you submit a letter from your faculty sponsor, along with a copy of your CV and list of publications, with your visa application. When in doubt, we suggest that you submit the letter. We recommend that the letter include the following information:
  
  - A detailed description of your research, in language a non-scientist can understand
  - If applicable, the fact that you are conducting basic or unclassified research
  - The fact that you are expected to return to MIT to resume your research
  
  Please direct your letter writer to the instructions at http://web.mit.edu/scholars/administrators/letter.html.

back to top

Be prepared when you travel for the following possibilities:

• Delays in flights within the United States and returning to the U.S. from abroad due to heightened security measures at airports and delays along the Canadian border.
• You may have your fingerprints scanned and a digital photograph taken upon entering the United States. as part of the US-VISIT program. You may also be required to comply with new "check out" procedures when leaving the United States. More information about US-VISIT is available at http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/
  content_multi_image_0006.shtm.
• Inquiries and increased review of documents at all ports of entry for non-U.S. citizens.
• Multiple inspections by several immigration and/or customs officials.
• Possible photocopying of documents by immigration officials and possible videotaping of Immigraion, Customs, or FBI interviews.
• Inspection of personal belongings, luggage, pockets, or other searches.

back to top

Last Updated: June 2009