Congratulations on your admission!

Soon you'll be a wildcat at Northwestern University! On behalf of the Northwestern University community, the OISS team extends a warm welcome to you! We are thrilled to have you begin your academic career here in Evanston or Chicago, Illinois, where you will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned faculty, collaborate with a diverse student body, and pursue cutting-edge research.

We are excited to see you on campus soon!

How to request your immigration document?

To receive an immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019) for your academic program, you will need to submit the Immigration Document Request on the OISS Portal.

Be sure to review Financial Document Requirements prior to submitting financial documentation. Transfer-in students should review the Transfer a SEVIS Record to NU resource with detailed instructions.

Please see our website for more information on steps for newly admitted students and current I-20 or DS-2019 processing times.

If you are a Kellogg MS student, please email international-advising@kellogg.northwestern.edu for questions on requesting your I-20 or DS-2019.

New to NU Summer Communication Schedule

As part of our commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for all incoming international students, we have developed a comprehensive pre-arrival orientation communication schedule.  We will be connecting with you through newsletters, social media and New to NU Summer Q & A sessions.  

New to NU Newsletter

The OISS New to NU Newsletter will be published once per month (on or around the first or second week of the month) in June, July, August and September. 

Be sure to like and follow OISS on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date announcements, news and events.

New to NU Summer Q & A Sessions

New to NU summer Q & A sessions are designed to address any questions or concerns you may have as you prepare for your arrival at Northwestern. We encourage you to mark your calendars and join us for these informative and interactive sessions! 

• Requesting your I-20 and DS-2019 :  June 14, 9:00 a.m. CT

• Obtaining your Visa:  June 28, 9:00 a.m. CT

• Undergraduate Students Homebase Review : July 12, 9:00 a.m. CT

• Graduate and PhD Homebase Review: July 26, 9:00 a.m. CT

• Arrival and Orientation:  August 9, 9:00 a.m. CT (undergraduate students)  and 10:00 a.m. CT (graduate students) 
• Open Q & A:  August 23, 9:00 a.m. CT (undergraduate students) and 10:00 a.m. CT (graduate students) 

Orientation Highlights

International Wildcat Welcome for Undergraduate Students

New undergraduate students arriving for Fall 2024 will participate in both a required online F-1/J-1 orientation course and in-person "International Wildcat Welcome" programs and activities designed for undergraduate students.

Please see below for the dates of the Fall 2024 International Wildcat Welcome (IWW). 

September 15: Airport pick-up and move-in for international students participating in IWW

September 16–17: IWW in-person programming

September 17–22: International Wildcat Welcome students will transition to their Wildcat Welcome experience. 

Please see more detailed information regarding International Wildcat Welcome here

Graduate International Student Orientation (GISO)

New graduate students arriving for Fall 2024 will participate in both a required pre-arrival online F-1/J-1 Student Orientation course and in-person international orientation programs and activities designed for graduate students (GISO).

Please see below for the dates of Fall 2024 Graduate International Student Orientation (GISO) :

September 15: Move-in and arrival day for international students

September 18-20: GISO in-person programming

Please see more detailed information regarding Graduate International Student Orientation here

For the incoming Law students, we understand that some of you start your program early, but you are welcome to join us for any orientation activities.

Kellogg Master’s Students – Culture is Made (CIM) Orientation for 1Y and MMM international students begins Friday, June 14^th.

Please find the detailed schedule on the CIM Website . Details for 2Y MBA, MBAi, and MiM students will be available in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact the Kellogg International Student Advising Team.

F-1 and J-1 Visa Webinar & Q&A

Join us for a special one-hour webinar and Q&A session featuring insights from a former U.S. Visa Officer and Immigration Attorney, Mandy Feuerbacher, Esq.

This event is tailored for Northwestern University’s newly admitted undergraduate and graduate students who are navigating the F-1 & J-1 visa interview process. Discover invaluable tips on succeeding in your visa interviews this year, engage in a mock interview session with Mandy, and seize the opportunity to ask your burning questions. 

Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. CT

Join the webinar here >>

How to connect with us?

You can always get in touch with us via email. We will do our best to answer your question within five business days.

For general inquiries, please email intoff@northwestern.edu

For specific inquiries, please contact your advisor. Schedule an appointment with your assigned advisor here >>

Please note that we will be adjusting our office hours for the summer season, effective from June 10 to August 30, 2024. During this period, the OISS office will be open Monday through Thursday, from 12:00–4:00 p.m.

Should you require assistance regarding immigration matters and any other support services, our advisors are here to assist you.

OISS will be closed in observance of the Juneteenth holiday: June 19th

The OISS and all Northwestern academic and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. Read more about the Juneteenth holiday.