We are glad to have you at Northeastern University and CAMD! Please review the sections below before you begin your undergraduate studies. Northeastern’s Office of Global Services (OGS) is a great source of support for international students, providing information on travel, immigration status, hosting family visitors, student employment, and more. For information on living in Boston, academic life in the U.S., and university, state, and federal resources forinternational students, explore Life at NU.
U.S. federal government regulations require all international students to maintain their F-1 or J-1 student status. Maintaining full-time enrollment status is essential to maintaining your F-1 or J-1 student status. It is your responsibility to be aware of the factors that impact your legal status and make sure you remain compliant. Non-compliance is a serious matter and can result in severe consequences. While the responsibility for maintaining compliance is yours, the OGS can help you navigate the complexities of U.S. government regulations and procedures.
OGS provides the full list of international student enrollment policies, and details the requirements for Basic Enrollment, Reduced Course Loads, and Final Term.
Northeastern requires all students, and highly recommends all faculty and staff, to enter their international travel itinerary and housing accommodations into the Travel Registry. This allows the university to communicate directly with travelers if unexpected events or conditions create circumstances that might pose health or safety risks. In addition, it enables on-campus resources and external support providers to better respond to students, faculty, and staff who may need medical or security assistance. OGS outlines recommendations about international and domestic travel during your time at Northeastern.
During your program of study, it may become necessary to take a leave of absence. U.S. federal government regulations recognize two types of leaves of absence for international students —medical and non-medical — and there are different procedures and government regulations that apply to each. OGS explains the types of leaves of absence and provides instructions for taking and returning from leave.
Your spouse and children under 21 years-old may accompany you to Northeastern with F-2 or J-2 visas that reflect your visa status. Other family members such as parents, or a spouse who cannot accompany you for the entire study program, may want to visit for short periods of time. These family members may apply for a B-1 or B-2 tourist visa, depending on their relationship to you. Please contact the OGS for more information.
Northeastern University has a sample invitation letter you may send with an enrollment verification, but U.S. Embassies and Consulates do not require invitation letters for tourist visas.
The Student Support and Programming (SS&P) team in the Office of Global Services provides a broad array of services to the international student community, and welcomes participation from American students as well. SS&P organizes events and activities throughout the year to help international students network, make friends, learn more about American culture, and visit areas in the Greater Boston area. Our team has experience living and working abroad, and we are happy to meet with students, organize weekend trips, introduce you to the We Care office, and connect you to the Global Student Success Center.
Global Student Mentors come from the Northeastern student community. They plan cultural programs, organize social events, assist peers, and undertake projects vital for the functioning of the OGS.