Have a quick question for OISS advisor?

Connect with an OISS Advisor via Zoom on Wednesday afternoons from 12:00–4:00 p.m. for Web-in Wednesdays. This a virtual event and no appointment needed. 

OISS's Summer Open Office Hours 

A gentle reminder that OISS is open Monday through Thursday from 12:00–4:00 p.m. during summer (June 10–August 30, 2024).

For any general inquiries, please reach out to us at intoff@northwestern.edu.

If you have specific questions, we encourage you to contact your assigned OISS advisor. Schedule an appointment directly with your advisor >>

STEM OPT Validation Reminders

Students on STEM OPT, as a reminder you must submit a validation report every 6 months. To submit the validation report, you will need to log into the OISS Portal and submit the STEM OPT Validation report request. For more information on your STEM OPT reporting requirements, please visit our website.

Are you traveling abroad over the summer? Don't forget to check your I-20 or DS-2019 for a valid travel signature!

Check your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to ensure you have a valid travel endorsement (also referred to as a "travel signature") for re-entry to the United States.

A travel signature (endorsement) is relevant only to F-1 students or J-1 students and scholars (and their dependents) who are planning to travel abroad and return to the U.S. in F or J status. This includes alumni who remain in F or J status for post-graduation F-1 OPT or J-1 AT. You must have an unexpired travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 on the date you re-enter the U.S. See the OISS F-1/J-1 Travel webpage for more details.

Request a travel signature by submitting a request on the OISS Portal or drop by the OISS Office during open hours with your I-20 or DS-2019 in hand to request a travel signature.

Buffett Institute for Global Affairs: Elliott Scholars Program

Elliott Scholars Program – International undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs’ new Elliott Scholars Program, which provides the opportunity for a cohort of students to engage deeply with a critical issue in global affairs. Elliott Scholars will take an interdisciplinary two-course sequence over Winter and Spring 2025, followed by participation in an international internship opportunity through the Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) in Summer 2025. The application to join the inaugural cohort will open in early Fall 2024. Additional details about the program and application process are now available online >>

Looking for a job on campus?

OISS and Human Resources have teamed up to create a New Employee Checklist for Foreign Nationals that will help F-1 & J-1 students newly employed by Northwestern University in completing the necessary steps with OISS, Human Resources and Payroll. Here are a few sites to check out if you are searching for a job on campus:

Residential Services Student Employment Opportunities

Norris University Open Positions

Library Student Jobs

Career Tip from Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA)

NCA is open in the summer! Schedule a Zoom or in-person appointment via in Handshake.

When searching for jobs/internships in Handshake you can use the work authorization filter to select employers with "Jobs that are open to candidates with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT)" AND "Jobs that do not require US work authorization" AND "Jobs that are eligible for US visa sponsorship."

Beware of the Scams

We have been receiving reports of scams that are targeting international students. Beware of scammers and keep your personal and financial information safe. Please read more about potential scammers via Study in the States.

OISS will be closed on July 4 and July 5

Northwestern University is closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

OISS will also be closed the following day, July 5. Regular operating hours will resume July 8, 2024.