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Alert
OISS Holiday Office Hours - December 13, 2024 - January 3, 2025

  • OISS will provide virtual services only from December 13-23, 2024, and January 2-3, 2025.  Virtual services are available by phone & email on business days. Our office buildings will be closed for walk-ins. 
  • Northwestern University will be closed from December 24, 2024, through January 1, 2025.
  • Regular operating hours resume January 6, 2025.
  • If you encounter an emergency while OISS is closed, please follow the emergency guidelines available here.

We're N this togetherWe're N this together

Office of International Student and Scholar Services

Advising and supporting Northwestern’s international students, faculty, staff and scholars

By the Numbers

International students make up 25% of Northwestern's student body and enrich the academic experience of all students by contributing to the cultural diversity of our campus. Each year, Northwestern also hosts hundreds of international scholars, who contribute to more than 20 disciplines.

4913
International Students
142
Countries Represented
1609
International Scholars

Getting Started

Learn about visa options and the application process.

Student Employment

OISS helps students apply for off-campus work authorization (permission) during their academic programs (CPT) and after completing their degrees (OPT).

Learn more about eligibility, application procedures and processing times for:

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Living in the US

Find guidance and resources as you adjust to life at Northwestern and the United States.

How can we help?

Advisors are available via email, virtual advisement and scheduled appointments

News & Events

Events

Dec
13
2024

Web-in Fridays for International Students

11:00 AM
Join OISS advisors on Zoom on Fridays from 11am - 1pm to ask an international student advisor quick questions. Please no...
Dec
18
2024

Web-in Wednesdays for International Students

12:00 PM
Join OISS advisors on Zoom on Wednesdays from 12pm-3pm to ask an international student advisor quick questions. Please n...

News & Announcements

Welcoming Sara Thurston, PhD, as the New Director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services

August 8, 2024

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Sara Thurston, PhD, as the new Director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. She brings more than 25 years of experience supporting international students and scholars to our community. Learn more about Sarah's impressive background and experience here.

USCIS announces fee increase to certain immigration benefit requests to go into effect April 1, 2024

February 21, 2024

USCIS has announced that certain fees, including the I-765 application fee for Employment Authorization and I-539 application fee to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant status, will increase on April 1, 2024. Learn more and see the new fee schedule from USCIS.