On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule that establishes a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure that impact students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas. The rule is anticipated to take effect Sept. 15, 2026. While Northwestern analyzes this complex rule, we are working to update our website and communicate guidance as quickly as possible. Members of the Northwestern international community who have questions are encouraged to reach out directly to their assigned OISS advisor.

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News & Announcements

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Announcements and Government Updates

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Welcoming Sara Thurston, PhD, as the New Director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services August 08, 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 (OISS) at Northwestern University’s Buffett Institute for Global Affairs. She brings more than 25 years of experience supporting international students and scholars to our community.	Announcements	2024
For Students: COVID-19 testing requirement extended through next week January 14, 2022 Read Northwestern's January 14th announcement regarding pending completion of Wildcat Wellness, return to in-person classes & activities, extended COVID-19 testing requirement, and reminder about vaccination booster requirement.	Announcements	2022
COVID-19 Response Updates for January Return to Campus December 31, 2021 As the pandemic has shifted and evolved over the past several weeks, NU has been in frequent contact with public health officials and our own infectious disease experts to determine the best path forward for the Northwestern community. Safeguarding the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our top priority. NU also must prioritize the needs of our community and the broader public health approaches for navigating the pandemic. With our return from Winter Recess just around the corner, we want to provide some important reminders and updates. As always, the situation can change quickly, and we will provide updates as we have them.	Announcements	2021
Clarification on January Return to Campus and In-Person Testing December 21, 2021 Follow-up clarification message regarding December 20th announcement.	Announcements	2021
COVID-19 booster shot requirement & Wildcat Wellness in January December 20, 2021 Important updates about Winter Quarter 2022 that further ongoing efforts to protect the Northwestern community from the spread of the COVID-19 virus.	Announcements	2021
Northwestern University COVID-19 Updates August 20, 2021 Important Fall updates for students include student vaccination requirements, testing requirements, symptom-tracking requirements, masking requirements and more.	Announcements	2021
ICE Proposal and Response October 23, 2020 Northwestern University submitted a public comment letter in response to the ICE proposal, "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media."	Government Updates	2020
Northwestern Response to and Information on Fall 2020 SEVP Guidance July 10, 2020 The U.S. government is withdrawing the directive that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on July 6, which would have prohibited international students in the U.S. from taking a fully online/remote course load during the Fall 2020 term while remaining in F-1 status. Following legal challenges from Northwestern University and from higher education institutions and states nationwide, a federal judge announced today that ICE will rescind the directive.	Announcements	2020
Information and Guidance Based on the ICE Announcement July 09, 2020 Northwestern University leadership has been working diligently to review the new ICE guidelines.	Announcements	2020
Northwestern Joins Amicus Brief to Fight New ICE Guidance July 08, 2020 As Northwestern has been taking steps toward a safe, phased return to campus for the Fall Quarter, we have already been planning to institute a hybrid model of remote and in-person courses. I therefore expect that our international student community will be largely unaffected by these capricious and indefensible directives.	Announcements	2020
Northwestern Responds to ICE Announcement July 07, 2020 Northwestern is studying the new ICE announcement closely to determine how the modifications to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program may impact our international students.	Announcements	2020
Northwestern’s Commitment to an Inclusive, Global Academic Community June 02, 2020 Response to Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People's Republic of China	Announcements	2020
Update: Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from China June 02, 2020 Read an update to President Trump's May 2020 “Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China.”	Government Updates	2020
Northwestern University Message to Chinese Students June 07, 2019 We want to reassure our Chinese students and scholars that they are critical to Northwestern University’s mission, and we are committed to assisting them in the visa process. To date, we have seen no visas denied for Chinese students and scholars who are coming to Northwestern, and we will continue to make efforts to help them in the process if they experience problems.	Announcements	2019