International Students

The most important and up-to-date immigration information will be available on the International Students Office (ISO) website on the following pages:

• ISO Homepage: http://iso.mit.edu

• ISO Major Immigration Updates page: http://iso.mit.edu/immigration/imm_updates.shtml 

• Visa Processes: https://iso.mit.edu/getting-started/obtaining-a-visa/

Student visa regulations do not allow students to work in the US until they have 2 semesters of academic study behind them.  Aside from opportunities at MITIMCo, which falls under the auspices of MIT, international students are unable to participate in a US-based externship during the month of January.  We work with our alumni and partners to determine what opportunities may be available in international locations each year that students may apply to.  In order to participate in CPT, you must have two semesters as a full-time student in the US.  

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• CPT is available only to those students whose degree program requires an internship/residency, or whose degree program has an internship course that can be counted towards degree requirements.  

• The MSRED Program at MIT has the latter option available for students: there is a summer internship option which students may count toward degree requirements.  (Please note that students registering for the internship course during the summer semester are required to pay the tuition fees indicated/associated with registering for the course.  )

Optional Practical Training (OPT) 

• Available to all F-1 students, either as a pre- or post- completion option, provided you have not already used 12 months of OPT at the same educational level at another US institution.  

• As the MSRED Program is not a STEM-designated program, F-1 OPT for MSRED students is capped at 12 months. 

MIT's English Language Studies classes aim to meet the needs of MIT's diverse population: bilingual American students, newly-arrived immigrants, international students and visiting scholars who are in the US temporarily, as well as MIT faculty members and employees whose first language is not English. A major goal of the program is to foster facility and appropriateness in English language communication in a variety of academic and professional contexts.

In accordance with policy established by the MIT Committee on Graduate School Policy, newly admitted international graduate students whose language of instruction from primary school onwards was not English must take the English Evaluation Test (EET) as a prerequisite for registering. Visiting scholars, scientists, postdoctoral fellows and other MIT affiliates may take the EET to determine the appropriate subject to match their level of skill, but restrictions apply in regards to space availability.

The Center for Real Estate is committed to student success and those students who score poorly on the EET will be required to take an appropriate English course which can be counted towards degree requirements. Visit MIT Center for Real Estate EET Policy for more information.

More information about the EET can be found here.

The Writing Center offers several services to the MIT community during the academic year. Students and staff members can get free individual consultation about any writing difficulty, from questions about grammar to matters of style, including difficulties common to writers, such as overcoming writer's block, organizing papers, taking essay exams, revising one's work, or presenting scientific information. They may visit the Center during any stage of the writing process: prewriting, writing a first draft, revising, or editing.

The Center also offers instruction both to individuals and groups in methods of oral presentation (how to write a speech, how to use visual aids, how to conduct oneself when presenting scientific or nonscientific information). The Center provides specialized help to those for whom English is a second language. For appointments sign-up online at mit.mywconline.com or visit the Center in E18 Room 233.