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...

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:

• Registration instructions for students
• Registration instructions for scholars
• Registration instructions for student interns

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. 

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.

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.