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Non-U.S. Citizens Traveling Abroad

Northwestern strongly encourages all members of its community to participate in international travel opportunities sponsored by the University.

Informational updates during travel

Northwestern travelers who are not U.S. citizens may also enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s (U.S. DOS) Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive local security updates related to road closures, transportation strikes, civil unrest, and more. Follow directions on the STEP website to “create an account” and then “add a trip” to your profile. Note that many fields in the enrollment forms are optional. If you do not have a U.S. passport, leave the passport field blank. For more information, visit Security Information Resources.

Detention by customs and border protection

Non-U.S. citizens associated with Northwestern (students, faculty and staff) who travel abroad must comply with all overseas travel requirements outlined by the International Office or risk facing detention by the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) upon re-entry to the United States. Northwestern University and/or the Office of Global Safety and Security (OGSS) have no authority over the CBP and cannot intervene on a traveler’s behalf.