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Plan your Arrival

Plan Your Arrival

F-1 and J-1 students may not arrive in the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date listed on the I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1). If you arrive earlier, you will enter as a tourist and must leave the United States and re-enter in F-1 or J-1 status no more than 30 days before the start date on your immigration document.

Before you book travel, confirm your required international student orientation dates: the program orientation date for graduate students or Wildcat Welcome dates for undergraduate students.

Planning to leave the U.S. shortly after you arrive? Before booking that trip, know that you must complete the “Immigration Check-In” step on the Arrival Checklist for New Students and have your SEVIS record activated before departing, and you should notify OISS in advance at oiss-advising@northwestern.edu.

 

Getting to Campus

Free OISS Airport Shuttle: September 13, 2026

OISS offers free shuttle service from O'Hare International Airport to the Evanston campus on Sunday, September 13, 2026. This is the easiest and most affordable way to get to campus on arrival day, with no need to navigate trains or negotiate fares after a long flight.

How it works:

  • When: Sunday, September 13, 2026. Shuttles depart at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and 5:00 pm. (Seats are first come, first serve and reserved for students; family members traveling with you will need to arrange separate transportation.)
  • Where: Meet OISS in the Terminal 5 arrivals area. Look for the Northwestern table and students in light blue Northwestern shirts.
  • Drop-off: The shuttle arrives near one’s area desk which is where you must begin your residence hall check in process.
  • Reserve your spot: Complete the Fall 2026 International Student Arrival & Shuttle Request Form before you travel.

The shuttle operates from O'Hare only. If you are flying into Midway, see the transportation options below.

Other Ways to Get to Campus

You may fly into either of Chicago's two major airports:

  • O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is approximately one hour from Northwestern's Evanston campus, depending on your mode of transportation.
  • Midway International Airport (MDW) is slightly farther and may take longer.

Several options can get you from the airport to campus, depending on your timing, budget, and preferences.

Taxi

  • Taxis are available to Chicago and suburban destinations. Fares vary with traffic, but an average fare from O'Hare to the Evanston campus is $50-$75. All taxis should have a working meter; some companies offer airport flat (fixed) rates, so be sure to ask.
  • Taxi stands are located at the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at each terminal.
  • Use the official taxi stands to ensure you have a licensed driver. Do not accept rides from drivers outside the taxi stand or on the departure (upper) level.

Rideshare

  • Uber and Lyft are widely available at both airports and are authorized to pick up passengers there. Open the app and follow the directions to the designated pickup zone.
  • Both airports offer 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi, which you can use to request your ride.

Tip for taxis and rideshares: Have your exact destination address written down before you land. If you are moving into on-campus housing, look up your residence hall's street address in advance.  Do note, you will be required to go to your area desk to start your check in.

Car Rental

Some new students and their families choose to rent cars. Check individual rental company websites for pricing, driver's license requirements, and other details.

By Public Transit

Public transit is the most economical option but takes longer and involves transfers. It works best if you are traveling light; the routes below involve stairs, station transfers, and limited luggage space, which can be difficult with multiple large suitcases.

Paying your fare: CTA train turnstiles accept contactless credit/debit cards and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or a Ventra card, which you can buy from vending machines at any CTA station, including O'Hare. Pace buses accept Ventra or exact cash; drivers cannot take credit cards or make change.

Pace Bus (approximately 1 hour, $2.25)

  1. Take the Airport Transit System from your terminal to O'Hare's long-term parking Lot E.
  2. Board Pace Bus 250 (Dempster St), which stops at the CTA Davis station in Evanston.
  3. To get closer to campus, transfer to the Pulse Dempster Line, which runs every 15 minutes on weekdays from approximately 5:00 am to 10:00 pm (every 20 minutes until about 1:00 am), and every 15 minutes on weekends and holidays between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm (every 20 minutes in early morning and late evening).

CTA Train (approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours, $5-$10)

  1. The CTA Blue Line station is on the lower level of Terminal 2 at O'Hare. Walk or take the Airport Transit System to the station.
  2. Take the Blue Line to Jackson Station in downtown Chicago and transfer to the Red Line toward Howard.
  3. At Howard, transfer to the Purple Line toward Linden, which serves Evanston. The common stops for Northwestern is Foster and Noyes. 

Arriving at Midway? Take the CTA Orange Line from the station connected to the terminal into downtown Chicago, transfer to the Red Line toward Howard (Roosevelt is a convenient transfer point), then transfer from the Red line at Howard to the the purple line. Taxi and rideshare are also available at Midway and typically cost more than from O'Hare given the distance to Evanston.

For the best routes and real-time guidance, use a map app set to “public transportation” directions.

If Your Plans Change

Flights get delayed, rerouted, and rebooked; this is normal and OISS plans for it. If you miss the last shuttle, arrive late at night, or your travel plans change unexpectedly:

  • Taxi and rideshare operate around the clock at both airports, so you always have a way to reach campus.
  • Update your arrival information in the Arrival & Shuttle Request Form so we know when to expect you.
  • If you need help outside business hours, see When OISS is Closed for emergency contact information.

Port of Entry

Whether you enter the United States by air, land, or sea, you will pass through a U.S. Port of Entry.

Inspection at a U.S. Port of Entry

At inspection, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will ask for these documents:

  • Your Northwestern-issued I-20 or DS-2019, printed and signed in ink
  • A passport valid at least six months into the future
  • A valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp (Canadian citizens do not obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa)
  • Your SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
  • You may also be asked for your Northwestern letter of admission

Keep these documents in your carry-on during your trip. If you are traveling by air, you will present them to CBP before you have access to your checked luggage.

A note on secondary inspection: Some travelers are directed to a separate area for additional questions or document review. This is a routine part of the entry process and not a cause for alarm. Answer questions honestly, keep your documents ready, and allow extra time; if anyone is meeting you or you have a shuttle reservation, this is a good reason to build buffer time into your plans.

I-94 Arrival Record

Your I-94 is the official record of your entry to the U.S., documenting your arrival, your immigration (visa) category, and your approved length of stay. In most cases, I-94 records are issued only electronically, and many Ports of Entry no longer issue passport entry stamps.

OISS recommends that you retrieve and check your I-94 every time you re-enter the U.S.

Visit the CBP I-94 website to retrieve your record, and check it for accuracy:

  • Admission date (the date you arrived in the U.S.)
  • Visa status
  • Personal information

See our I-94 Record Resource for more information, including how to correct a mistake on your record.

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