Overview

As a global research university, Northeastern University students are encouraged to pursue academic opportunities across the Global Campus Network and beyond. When F-1/J-1 students pursue academic experiences outside of the U.S., it is important that they work with the appropriate Northeastern department, as well as with the Office of Global Services (OGS) to ensure that they can maintain their F-1/J-1 status while they are outside of the country.

To start:

  • If you are interested in studying outside the U.S., contact the Global Experience Office (GEO) to learn about the variety of programs that they offer
  • If pursuing graduate research abroad is a requirement of your graduate program, connect with an advisor in your Graduate School
  • If you are interested in participating in a global co-op, contact a co-op coordinator in your college. You can also learn more about global co-ops on the Employer Engagement and Career Design website

Once you have confirmed your participation in study abroad, global co-op, or graduate research abroad, you must report your activities to OGS via the instructions below.

Reporting Academic Activities Outside of the U.S. to OGS and Maintaining F-1/J-1 Student Status

International students may not be readmitted to the U.S. if they have been outside the country for more than 5-months that is unconnected to study; therefore, it is vital that you appropriately report your academic activities to OGS prior to departing the country

Requesting an I-20/DS-2019 for Study Abroad

F-1/J-1 students studying abroad during required academic terms​ will require an updated I-20/DS-2019 with a study abroad remark. The updated I-20/DS-2019 will have a travel signature that is valid for one year. Please be aware of the program end date on page 1 of the I-20/DS-2019. If the program end date will occur in less than one year, the travel signature is valid only until the program end date listed on your I-20/DS-2019. 

  1. Receive your “Letter of Enrollment” from The Global Experience Office (GEO) or the sponsoring Northeastern University Academic Department
    • This letter should contain the exact dates and location (institution, city, country) of the study abroad experience
  2. Submit the OGS e-form Request for SEVIS I-20/DS-2019.

Please note:

  • A letter from your host institution abroad or other agency/company will not be acceptable.
  • If you study abroad only during the summer term, you do not need to request a study abroad I-20/DS-2019.

Maintaining Status While Studying Abroad

  • You are required to maintain full-time enrollment in order to maintain your F-1/J-1 nonimmigrant status while studying abroad. Any changes in enrollment during your study abroad program could affect your ability to return to the U.S. 
  • If you will require additional time to complete your degree requirements beyond the end date of your I-20/DS-2019, you must submit a request for a program extension

Please note that F-1/J-1 students are not permitted to study abroad in their final academic term.

Requesting a Travel Signature for Global Co-op

All students on Global Co-op should have a travel signature that is less than 12-months old. If you require a new travel signature, please submit a request to OGS. Students are also advised to carry a letter with them when re-entering the U.S. that explains their academic activities outside of the U.S. Below is a sample letter you may modify and sign yourself to bring with you, or you may travel with a letter from your Global Co-op employer. OGS also recommends that you travel with your transcripts to provide evidence of your enrollment in classes while outside of the U.S.

Employment authorization is only required for F-1/J-1 students who are physically located inside of the U.S.; therefore, if you are participating in a Global Co-op outside of the U.S., you will not require work authorization.

However, if you return to the U.S. to perform work for any period of time during the Global Co-op period (such as a business trip or conference), you will require employment authorization. Please contact OGS for further guidance if you believe that you will be in this situation.

Maintaining Status While Participating in Global Co-op

  • You are required to maintain full-time enrollment in order to maintain your F-1/J-1 nonimmigrant status while participating in global co-op. Any changes in enrollment during your global co-op could affect your ability to return to the U.S. 
  • If you will require additional time to complete your degree requirements beyond the end date of your I-20/DS-2019, you must submit a request for a program extension

Requesting an I-20/DS-2019 for Graduate Research Abroad

In order to be approved by OGS for research abroad, you must maintain your full-time registration status at Northeastern University. Additionally, your overseas research project must be required to complete your degree.

  1. Complete the Graduate Research Abroad PDF, signed by your Academic Advisor, Graduate Program Coordinator or Authorized Secondary Approver: General Requests
    • A letter from the institution where you are doing your research will not be acceptable
  2. Submit the Graduate Research Abroad e-form to OGS

Maintaining Status During Graduate Research Abroad

  • You are required to maintain full-time registration status in order to maintain your F-1/J-1 nonimmigrant status while doing research abroad. Any changes in enrollment could affect your ability to return to the U.S. 
  • If you will require additional time to complete your degree requirements beyond the end date of your I-20/DS-2019, you must submit a request for a program extension
  • If you plan to extend your graduate research abroad, you will require a new graduate research abroad I-20/DS-2019 with appropriate remark

Recommended Travel Documents

At the conclusion of your academic activities abroad, you should prepare the following documents to re-enter the U.S. and resume your studies at Northeastern University:

  • Passport (valid for at least six months from the date you return to the U.S.)
  • Valid F-1/J-1 visa 
    • If your F-1/J-1 visa is expired or will expire while abroad, you will need to apply for a new visa before making travel plans to return to the US. 
  • Form I-20/DS-2019 with valid travel signature 

It is also recommended that students carry the following documents:

  • Any previously issued I-20s or DS-2019s
  • Evidence of financial ability, such as a copy of your most recent scholarship letter, bank statement, or tuition payment receipt
  • Evidence of current enrollment as a full-time student at Northeastern
    • You may request an Enrollment Verification from the Registrar’s Office or print a copy of your current course registration
  • Documentation of your academic activities while abroad:
    • Study Abroad: Copy of your “Letter of Enrollment” from GEO or from the academic department at Northeastern University that is sponsoring the study abroad program
    • Global Co-op: Documentation of your global co-op. This may be a self-authored letter documenting the engagement
    • Graduate Research Abroad: Copy of your “Graduate Research Abroad Form”

Additional information on international travel can be found on the OGS website   

Emergency Information

Northeastern University Global Safety and Support

The Northeastern Global Safety and Support Network provides travelers with referrals for local healthcare service providers, travel warnings, and emergency assistance services 24-hours a day. They also provide a wealth of information that will assist in pre-travel planning.

All students should plan to register their travel with the Global Safety and Support Office’s Travel Registry tool.

Trouble Returning to the U.S.?

If you need emergency assistance while traveling, please call one of the following numbers: 

  • If you are at a U.S. Port of Entry (i.e. airport): +1-617-373-2121  
  • If you are departing for your Northeastern campus within 24 hours or are already in transit: +1-857-214-5332