Maintaining Your Status

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:

• Change of home address (see details)
• Plans to travel outside the United States. Always check with the ISchO several weeks before traveling outside the United States to make sure you have all necessary documents and signatures. Also consult the latest ISchO Travel Advisory.
• Change of MIT department
• Change in funding (source and/or amount)
• Change in work location
• Change of appointment percentage or title
• Early departure from MIT/Termination of MIT appointment
• Leave of absence (please inform the ISchO before the leave)
• Leaving the United States for an extended period of time

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.

Changing Your Local U.S. Address

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations require notification within 10 days of any change. If you change your local U.S. address:

• Notify the ISchO within 10 days so we can update our records and, if applicable, your SEVIS record.
• Notify MIT of your change of address via the Employee Self Service website at http:/web.mit.edu/sapwebss/PS1/home.shtml.
• Notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by submitting Form AR-11 (or Form AR-11SR, if you are subject to special registration) within 10 days of your address change. See complete instructions on the ISchO website. Individuals in F-1 and J-1 status do not complete these forms, but rather inform the visa sponsor (your international office) of a new address. The visa sponsor then submits the change of address information to SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (national database).

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Last Updated: February 2010