Doctoral Program in Biological Engineering - Biological Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

To enter the United States, each international student admitted to the Institute needs a passport issued by his or her government. Students must also visit US embassies or consulates in their home countries to be issued student visas, which will enable them to enter the United States. Students must present a certificate of eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) with the supporting financial documentation when they apply for their visas. The International Students Office at MIT will send the required document to all admitted students who provide evidence of sufficient funds to meet the estimated costs and of adequate English language proficiency. It is important to note that the validity of the visa does not indicate how long a student may remain in the United States; this determination will be made by the Immigration Service at the port of entry. Canadians do not need student visas; instead, they may obtain the appropriate immigration status at the port of entry to the United States by showing proof of citizenship and the Certificate of Eligibility.

Visa Options

Students admitted to MIT may choose between two visas: the F-1 (student visa) and J-1 (exchange visitor visa). Individuals on any other non-immigrant visa will be unable to register in a program of studies at MIT.

The F-1 Visa

This option is normally used by those who enroll as full-time students at an approved educational institution. It is obtained by presenting the Form I-20 to a US consulate or embassy and submitting an application for an F-1 visa. F-1 students are expected to attend the school that issued the Form I-20 and to maintain a full course of study while in the United States. Students whose studies are funded by their families or other private sponsors are normally issued the Form I-20. Upon arrival in the United States, students will be granted permission to remain in this country for the period of time required to complete their programs of study.

Some students hold fellowships or assistantships. Students with full assistantships, however, are not allowed to hold any additional employment on or off campus.

Spouses and children of F-1 students may hold the F-2 visa. The F-1 student may apply for Form I-20 for each of their dependents who wish to join them in the United States in F-2 status. Those dependents will then need to apply for F-2 visas at the US embassy or consulate.

Health and hospitalization insurance is a requirement for all F-1 students and their dependents.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

This visa may be used by those who come to study or conduct research as participants in an Exchange Visitor program. Students must be substantially (more than 51 percent) funded by their home government, educational institutions, international or national organizations, private companies, etc., in order to be eligible for a J-1 visa. Students on personal/family funds are not eligible for J-1 status; they must apply for F-1 status. The J-1 visa is obtained by presenting to the American Consul form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility). When students accept funding from the Fulbright or any other agency of the US government or their own governments (even though it may be only a travel grant), this status carries with it a “two-year home country residency requirement,” which obliges students to return to their home countries for two years before they can apply for permanent residency or change to an H or L visa. In addition, this restriction applies to students from certain countries that have registered a list of needed skills with the United States government. Students intending to use the J-1 visa to enter the United States should ask the US Consul in their home country whether or not they will be subject to the two-year home residency requirement.

J-1 students will be allowed to remain in the country for the period of time indicated on their DS-2019. This time may be extended, so long as they are pursuing a full course of study on authorized academic training.

Health and hospitalization insurance is a requirement for all J-1 students and their dependents.

English is the language of instruction in all subjects within the Institute. All communications and texts, including papers and theses, must be in English.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires all international applicants to demonstrate a minimum English language proficiency needed to succeed in graduate school. International applicants will be required to submit English Language Proficiency (ELP) test scores in order to complete their MIT graduate application(s). More information about this requirement can be found here.

Some international applicants may qualify for an automatic exemption from the ELP test requirement. For more information about test exemptions and eligibility, please visit ELP test exemptions page.

If you do not qualify for an automatic exemption and would like to request a waiver for the requirement, please visit our Department ELP test waivers page. Be advised, waivers are granted on the basis of demonstrated English fluency; each department has their own set of criteria for evaluating waiver requests.

Qualifying applicants must submit official scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic). the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), the Duolingo English Test (DET) or the Cambridge English Qualification (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency exams only). Refer to department information for accepted tests and test score requirements. Scores below the required minimum may result in the withholding of the visa documentation for a candidate otherwise considered admissible.

For more information on meeting this requirement please review the Standardized Tests page.