What's New

October 10, 2024

The 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery (DV-2026), also known as the "Green Card Lottery," is open for registration. This U.S. government-instituted program offers over 50,000 immigrant visas to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. Applications are accepted electronically and the process is free. Any site charging a fee is not affiliated with the U.S. government.

October 9, 2024

If you plan to travel during the Fall semester and upcoming university holidays, please check to ensure that you have all required immigration documents necessary to re-enter the U.S. 

If you need a travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, please review the applicable instructions...

August 7, 2024

Welcome to Harvard to any incoming international students, scholars, student interns, and their families!

As a reminder, once you arrive in the U.S. you must register your arrival with the HIO. The HIO is processing all registrations via electronic form. Please do not come to the HIO offices for registration at this time. You may find instructions based on your visa category below:

After registration is complete, individuals on F-1 and J-1 visas and their dependents with visas sponsored by Harvard can obtain a travel signature on their F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 DS-2019 Form in order to travel internationally during their program. 

  • You may request a travel signature to be sent via email by completing the Travel Signature Request Form. If you have dependents, you do not need to submit a separate request for their document's signatures; all forms I-20 and DS-2019 will be issued and sent to you automatically.
  • Alternatively, you may come to the HIO during our walk in travel signature and document pick up hour, which takes place Monday-Friday from 12pm - 2pm on the 8th floor of the Smith Center to obtain a travel signature. 
July 26, 2024

For LAND BORDER Admissions, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) issues a Form I-94 only upon payment of a fee:

July 22, 2024

We encourage all incoming Harvard international students and scholars to attend the HIO “Getting Started – Part 1” Orientation on Zoom. We will cover a wide range of topics to help you prepare for your program at Harvard. We also offer a monthly Zoom orientation for spouses and partners. Advance registration is not required; you can find the schedule for all orientations and the Zoom meeting link here.

July 21, 2024

Are you a Harvard international student or scholar staying in the Boston area this summer? Check out the Outings & Innings website to find reduced-price tickets available to the Harvard community for local museums, movies, plays, sports, concerts, and other family-friendly events. (Harvard Key login is required.) We wish you a great summer!

July 17, 2024

Enjoy a movie under the stars on the Harvard Medical School (HMS) Quad! On Thursday, July 18, 2024 at sunset (around 8:15 pm) the Office for Postdoctoral Fellows of Harvard Medical School/Harvard School of Dental Medicine will be hosting an outdoor movie night with a screening of "Jaws," the classic movie from 1975. Bring your own snacks and beverages, and don't forget a blanket or lawn chair to lounge on! This event is open to the entire Harvard community, hospital affiliates and their families. More details are available here.

May 30, 2024

The HIO congratulates the Harvard Class of 2024 on their Commencement! Best wishes in your future endeavors!

You can revisit this year's Commencement activities here.

May 8, 2024

If you are planning on traveling internationally over the summer, please check to ensure that you have all required immigration documents necessary to re-enter the U.S. 

If you need a travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, please review the applicable instructions below.

  • F-1 students or J-1 students and scholars may request a travel signature to be sent via email by completing the Travel Signature Request Form.
  • You may also:
    • Visit the HIO for a travel signature during our walk in travel signature hours, which take place Monday - Friday from 12pm - 2pm on the 8th floor of the Smith Campus Center.
    • The HIO also hosts travel signature hours in the Longwood area for students, student interns, and scholars. An HIO Advisor will be available every other Wednesday from 1:00pm - 3:00pm in Gordon 006 (at the HMS/HSDM Office for Postdoctoral Fellows - see map). The full schedule may be found here.

For more information on contacting the HIO, please see Contact Us.

May 1, 2024

The HIO congratulates the Harvard Class of 2024 on their Commencement! Best wishes in your future endeavors!

You can find more information about this year's Commencement activities here.

April 22, 2024

Join the Harvard community for the Harvard ARTS FIRST Festival - five days of arts and music-making from April 24-28, 2024! The annual festival is produced by the Office for the Arts at Harvard to celebrate and showcase the arts and creativity on campus. During the festival, Harvard students, staff, faculty, alums and affiliates perform in and around Harvard Yard on 10 indoor and outdoor stages.

Enjoy the cultural richness of the performances as well as exhibitions and hands-on artmaking. Find out about 100+ events here. Most are free; some require tickets for purchase. Come for an hour, come for the day. All are welcome to celebrate the arts at Harvard!

March 8, 2024

The HIO is pleased to announce two upcoming webinars for Harvard students and scholars.

December 15, 2023
December 5, 2023

If you are planning on traveling internationally over the winter break, please check to ensure that you have all required immigration documents necessary to re-enter the U.S. 

If you need a travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, please review the applicable instructions below.

  • F-1 students or J-1 students and scholars may request a travel signature to be sent via email by completing the Travel Signature Request Form.
  • You may also:
    • Visit the HIO for a travel signature during our walk in travel signature hours, which take place Monday - Friday from 12pm - 2pm on the 8th floor of the Smith Campus Center.
    • The HIO also hosts travel signature hours in the Longwood area for students, student interns, and scholars. An HIO Advisor will be available every other Wednesday from 1:00pm - 3:00pm in Gordon 006 (at the HMS/HSDM Office for Postdoctoral Fellows - see map). The full schedule may be found here.

For more information on contacting the HIO, please see Contact Us.

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