Winter travel information and HIO adjusted hours

December 9, 2025

If you're planning to travel during winter recess, the HIO is here to support international students and scholars before and during your trip.  

Before traveling, please review the guidance below on travel documents and other important information. If you have additional questions, contact your HIO advisor.  

 

Stay informed

Remember that situations can change quickly – it's a good idea to keep your travel arrangements as flexible as possible and plan for potential delays.  

For the latest on U.S. immigration enforcement actions, visit the What’s New and FAQ pages on the HIO’s website.     

 

HIO office closures

Please be aware that the HIO office will have adjusted hours for services in December and January:

  • No in-person walk-in hours from December 22 through January 9. Regular in-person hours will resume Monday, January 12.
  • No virtual advisor-on-call hours beginning the afternoon of December 24 through January 2. Regular virtual advisor on call hours will resume Monday, January 5.

 

Online presence reviews

  • Beginning December 15, 2025, H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents will be subject to a required “online presence review” by the U.S. Department of State.
    • The department has instructed all applicants to set the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to “public” to allow for vetting.  
  • This review is already required for F and J nonimmigrant visas.


Travel signatures

  • Please review the HIO office closures noted above and plan ahead if you need a travel signature.
  • F-1 and J-1 visa holders (including dependents) must have a valid travel signature on their I-20 or DS-2019.
    • Travel signatures are valid for 12 months or until your program end date, whichever is sooner.  
    • Note: F-1 travel signatures are valid for 6 months while on OPT or STEM OPT.
    • Check your latest I-20 or DS-2019 to ensure your travel signature is current.
  • If you’re part of the Fulbright Program, contact your Fulbright representative to obtain an updated travel signature.

 

Electronic travel signature requests

  • You’ll receive your signed form(s) within 5-7 business days (dependents’ forms are included automatically).

 

In-person travel signature requests (no appointment needed)

  • Cambridge: Visit the HIO office 12-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Our office is located in the Smith Campus Center, 8th Floor, Suite 864.  
  • Longwood: HIO staff are available 1-3 p.m. every other Wednesday in Gordon 006 (at the HMS/HSDM Office for Postdoctoral Fellows). Visit the HIO website for upcoming dates.

 

Traveling inside the U.S.

Review the HIO website for information on which documents you’ll need for domestic travel.  

 

Traveling outside the U.S.

  • Double check the expiration dates on your passport and visa.
    • Prepare for delays in renewing an F-1 or J-1 visa due to the holiday season.

 

Traveling through a third country

If you’re traveling through a third country that is not your home, make sure you understand its visa rules.  

 

Issues while traveling

Visit the HIO website for information on what to do if you have an emergency while traveling.