The students can opt for any one of the two visas namely F1 Visa, J1 Visa.

Individuals on any other non-immigrant visa will be unable to register in a program of studies at MIT.

F1 Visa:

• This option is normally used by those who enroll as full-time students at an approved educational institution.
• It is obtained by presenting 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.

J1 Visa:

• This is also known as J1 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., 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.

Any student can get an on-campus job. Student minimum wage is $12.75 an hour with most students making about $1,700 a semester.

International students are limited to working 20 hours per week due to student visa guidelines.

Per federal regulations, students participating in a federal work-study program are not permitted to miss class time in order to perform their federal work-study duties.

Some of the available job types are :

• Research Jobs
• Part-time or Seasonal Jobs
• Public Service Jobs
• Research and Teaching Assistantship
• Community service work-study program.