Students Studying in The United States Traveling to Northeastern Campuses from Abroad

As Northeastern responds to the global COVID-19 pandemic, our number one priority remains the health and well-being of our students and community. At each of our campus locations, our plans are guided by real-time COVID-19 updates and follow guidance from public health and government authorities. 

This page contains up-to-date information on travel to Northeastern campuses, including and specifically related to COVID-19 protocol.  The information on this webpage is intended to help you make necessary arrangements for your travel to Northeastern. Please read carefully the below information and check back regularly to make informed travel plans. As always, we are available to answer your questions and to provide comprehensive advice and information on resources that may be helpful to you. 

For information related to required documentation, entering the country, and practical tips on airport transportation on specific campuses, please visit one of the following pages: 

• Traveling to NU campuses located in the United States:  Arriving in the US  
• Traveling to NU campuses located in Canada: Traveling to NU Campuses in Canada  

For additional support or for assistance with travel documents, email us at [email protected]. 

For guides on traveling to NU campus in the UK, please visit: Traveling to NU Campus in the UK 

• If you need emergency assistance while traveling, please call one of the following numbers: 
• If you are at a U.S. Port of Entry (ie. 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 

Most U.S. states no longer restrict travel or have significant COVID-19 restrictions in place. Before traveling to a Northeastern campus in the United States, review the below CDC guidance and individual state websites pertaining to COVID-19. 

• CDC COVID-19 domestic travel guidance. 
• CDC COVID-19 international travel guidance .

Massachusetts (MA) 

• Massachusetts COVID-19 Updates & Information 
• Isolation and Exposure Guidance 
•  Massachusetts Travel Advisory 
• Northeastern University COVID-19 information site 
• Northeastern University COVID-19 FAQs 
• Students arriving in Boston NO LONGER NEED a COVID-19 test on arrival; review the UHCS website for informing about accessing testing in Boston

North Carolina (NC) 

• North Carolina’s Current Restrictions  
• North Carolina’s COVID-19 information homepage  
• Northeastern University COVID-19 FAQs

Washington (WA) 

• Washington’s COVID-19 repsonse page 
• Washinton’s COVID-19 information page 
• Northeastern Seattle’s Reopening Page 

Maine (ME) 

• State of Maine Travel and Visitor Information

California (CA) 

• California’s Current Restrictions 
• San Francisco’s Health Guidance 
• Santa Clara County COVID Site 
• Northeastern University COVID-19 FAQ for California Campuses  

The arrival for your study must align with the academic calendar of the university.  Please consult the Academic Calendar for important dates of your program. Make sure you view the calendar that is specific for your level of study and academic college or school.   

Late Arrivals, U.S. campuses   

When arranging your travel, please plan on arriving by the first day of the program start date listed on your form I-20/DS-2019. Keep in mind that you may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the program start date. If there are any extenuating circumstances that will prevent you from arriving by the program start date, you must request an approval from your college to arrive late. Please follow the instructions on this page to get started. 

Late Arrivals, Canadian campuses   

Please refer to the Traveling to Canada page for more information. 

Since COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, the majority of US embassies and consulates are again interviewing visa applicants, and they are processing nonimmigrant visa applications at over 90 percent of pre-pandemic monthly averages. That being said, please check the U.S. non-immigrant visa appointment wait times to see which embassies and consulates are currently processing visas and the wait time for each location. Please note, the site is updated regularly, and information may change.   

Students requiring visas should check in with the closest U.S. embassy or consulate before looking at other locations. U.S. diplomatic missions might be unable to process non-emergency visas in your country of residence.    

If you attempt to travel to a third country for visa processing, please be mindful of the following:  

• Make sure the U.S. embassy or consulate you are considering processes non-immigrant visas for non-resident foreign nationals.   
• What is needed to enter the third country.   
• How will you return to your primary residence country.  
• How will you support yourself if you are required to wait for a visa or need to return to the third country to gather the visa at a future date.     

The university understands that international travel during this time may be challenging due to restrictions and guidelines issued by individual countries. 

Please be advised that requirements to enter any country, including the United States, are subject to change without notice. The university cannot confirm that you will be admitted into any specific country as entry into any country is at the sole discretion of the immigration/government authorities of that country, and the requirements may vary from country to country. 

The following guidance is solely for informational purposes. It is your decision whether you chose to travel to campus. You should adhere to the health and travel guidance issued by your home country, and each country you intend to depart from, transit through (if applicable), and arrive to. 

Any mention of a transit country or airline does not constitute an endorsement of the country or airline. 

Wherever possible, we have provided the direct link to public resources and government-issued guidance. If the link is broken, please notify [email protected].