Housing for Visitors

Are you visiting MIT as a postdoc, researcher, or cross-registered student?

While on-campus graduate housing is prioritized for members of the MIT graduate student community, visitors, postdocs, affiliates, and cross-registered students seeking to live in on-campus graduate housing may also select on-campus housing through the “self-selection” process, subject to housing availability. Visitors may also sublicense a room from a current resident during the summer or Independent Activities Period (IAP).

Who is eligible for on-campus housing?

  • Cross-registered, special, and visiting students
  • Postdocs and researchers
  • Visiting professors and lecturers

Alumni, families of students, and employees of Draper, Broad, Whitehead, or temporary staffing agencies like NextSource are NOT eligible for on-campus housing.

What should You know about on-campus housing for visitors?

  • Family housing is extremely limited, and the likelihood of finding an available apartment is low. If you select an apartment in family housing, you must submit proof-of-family documentation once you sign your license agreement.
  • Have your appointment letter ready, as you will need to upload it for your housing application.
  • Termination and cancellation policies are the same for students and visitors.

The off-campus housing website has rental and short-term listings and information on the surrounding communities. (You must have an MIT ID to access the site.)

How to Select Housing

Self-selection is the process of selecting graduate housing at MIT within the Housing Portal (MIT credentials or certificates required). During the housing selection period, prospective residents can view all available housing units and select their desired units. This process enables prospective residents to select their exact unit within their preferred building and to confirm their housing assignment in one, easy-to-navigate process.  Self-selection typically occurs in the spring through early fall for the fall semester housing, and it opens again in late fall through mid-winter for students seeking housing starting during the spring semester. Please note that the opening date for the process is different for students than visitors. You must submit your appointment letter within fourteen (14) days after you have selected a housing unit.

Get Housing