The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) supports Brandeis international students and scholars from more than 116 countries around the globe. The ISSO is dedicated to supporting international students and scholars throughout their time spent in the Brandeis community.

International Student headshots in colored boxes with text "Brandeis Welcomes the World"

Brandeis Welcomes the World

What We Do

The ISSO determines visa eligibility and prepares and issues the visa documents needed for non-immigrant students, scholars and their dependents to obtain visas in order to come to Brandeis University to study, teach and/or conduct research.

We assist international students, scholars and their dependents with immigration benefits and procedures (i.e. extensions of stay, transfer of visa status to and from Brandeis, changes of status, employment authorization, etc.) as well as advise about their rights and responsibilities as non-immigrants living, studying and working in the United States.

We advise and provide guidance to international students and scholars regarding academic, financial and personal issues which may impact their legal status in the U.S. and at this university.

The ISSO offers programs which aim to enhance the American educational experience for our international students and scholars. The office also offers programs aimed at helping the campus community benefit from the presence of people from diverse cultures.

Panny Tao, Akwasi Owusu-Brempong, Nicole Berenice Zamora Flores in caps and gowns

Panny Tao '21, Akwasi Owusu-Brempong '21, and Nicole Berenice Zamora Flores '21

Photo Credit: Mike Lovett

Student Spotlight

"These students’ stories of their time in a different country during COVID-19 paint a picture of adversity, character and resolve in the face of uncertainty and stress. Completing their Brandeis undergraduate degrees is an extraordinary accomplishment when you consider the other challenges they have faced the last 15 months: Loneliness and homesickness, personal struggles with a nationwide reckoning on racism, sorting out immigration status and housing, and worries about health and safety."

Remote Services 

Throughout the Spring 2021 semester, the Brandeis International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will be closed to walk-in visits.

We are pleased to provide our services from a distance. We can speak to you by phone, set up a Zoom meeting, or correspond by email.  Just let us know how we can help! We will continue to address all needs for our students and scholars, including providing signatures for travel, making changes to your working locations, processing extension requests, changes of status, and more.

As we get accustomed to this new way of supporting our international students and scholars, please know that the ISSO team is going to miss you very much, and will thrive on your continued engagement with us.  Please stay in touch. How?

We wish you health and strength during this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts. 

The information provided by the ISSO pertains only to international students at Brandeis University, as it reflects both immigration regulation and university policy.

This information is not meant as a guide for international students at other institutions.