Planning international travel over the holidays? Check your I-20 or DS-2019 to verify you have a valid travel signature to re-enter the U.S.

A travel signature (travel 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 the date you re-enter the U.S. 

Learn more about travel signature validity on the OISS webpage F-1 & J-1 Travel.

How do I get a travel signature on my I-20/ DS-2019?

• Submit request in OISS Portal - F-1 students submit an “I-20 Reprint Request” and J-1 students submit a "DS-2019 Reprint Request" at the OISS Portal .  Processing time is 5 business days, so please submit your request in a timely manner. You will receive an email notifying you when your updated I-20/DS-2019 with a travel signature has been processed and is ready for you to access via the OISS Portal.

Upcoming OISS closure dates: 

December 22, 2023 - January 1, 2024 
Winter Recess & New Year's Day holiday; OISS and most university offices are closed.

For EMERGENCIES when OISS is closed, please see: When OISS is Closed

Learn about OPT 

Next Virtual Workshop: Tuesday, Dec 5th at 12:00 PM

The next online Optional Practical Training (OPT) workshop will be held December 5th from 12:00 - 1:30 PM (CT).  OPT eligibility requirements, application timelines and application requirements will be covered in detail during this virtual workshop. All F-1 international students interested in applying for OPT are encouraged to attend.

See the OPT Event for more details and zoom link to join.

Updated OISS Taxes Resource

Wondering about filing your U.S. tax return for the tax year 2023?  Check out the recently updated OISS Taxes webpage to learn about F-1/J-1  international student filing obligations and resources available to assist you.

Opportunity: Get involved with CCIS
(Community Council for International Students)

Eileen Bell (above left) and Ruochen Du (above right) met through CCIS. Ruochen, a PhD candidate in Biomedical Sciences, wanted to learn more about Chicago and meet people outside of her classes and lab. She she applied to the Host Family program, a part of Northwestern’s Community Council for international Students (CCIS).

Eileen (CCIS volunteer), a former labor arbiter and lawyer for the city of Chicago’s Labor Division, applied to be a volunteer with the CCIS Host Family program because she was interested in meeting international students and having contact with younger people.

Other students choose CCIS’s English Conversation Program where volunteers like Eileen help students improve their English. Volunteers and students choose a convenient time and place to meet; these partnerships have often resulted in friendships that continue well past the years at Northwestern.

For more information, see the CCIS section of the OISS website.

Opportunity: Study Abroad in Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uganda or Vietnam for Summer 2024!

The Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) offers five programs which all focus on confronting shared global challenges. Working in an internship, you will advance community-driven change. Learn more about GESI and the available programs here.

Applications are due by February 1.