OGS phone lines will be offline beginning at 3pm ET on Wednesday, January 22nd. We will resume normal phone hours at 8:30am ET on Thursday, January 23rd.
NOTE: Please allow 15 business days for all e-form processing.

Programs and Resources
Northeastern Logo

Programs and Offices for Northeastern’s International Community.

International Student Hub

Welcome to the International Student Hub — a place to learn about and connect with Northeastern's International community!

  • Office of Global Services
  • Global Student Success
  • Global Pathways
  • NU Immerse
  • NU Bound
  • Graduate Programs
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • Bachelor’s Completion
  • Pre-College
Office of Global Services OGS
  • E-Forms
  • New Students
    • I-20/DS-2019 Application
      • Requesting Your I-20 (F-1)
      • Requesting Your Transfer-In I-20 (F-1)
      • Requesting Your NU.in I-20 (F-1)
      • Deferring Your Program Start
      • Applying as a J-1 Student
      • Dependents
      • Financial Requirements
      • Estimate of Expenses for I-20 Requests (2024-2025)
      • Estimate of Expenses for I-20 Requests (2025-2026)
    • Visa Application
      • F-1 Student Visa Process
      • J-1 Student Visa Process
      • Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee
    • Arrival
      • Arriving in the U.S.
      • Online Immigration Clearance
      • Obtaining I-94
      • Settling in at NU
      • International Student Orientation
  • Current Students
    • Understanding Visa Requirements
      • Guidelines on Maintaining Status
      • Reduced Course Load
      • Summer Term
      • Change of Degree Level
      • Final Term
      • Program Extension
      • Leaving Northeastern
      • Transferring Out
      • Violating and Correcting Status
    • Traveling
      • Study Abroad, Research Abroad, and Global Co-op
      • International Travel
      • Domestic Travel
      • Renewing your Visa
    • Leaves of Absence
      • Medical Leave Of Absence
      • Non-Medical Leave of Absence
      • Returning From a Leave of Absence
    • Important Updates
      • Post-U.S. Election Webinar FAQs for F-1/J-1 Students & Recent Alumni
      • Post-U.S. Election Travel Recommendations
      • USCIS Removes Conflicting Interpretation of the Five-Month Temporary Absence Rule
      • UPDATE: Remote Practical Training and Maintaining On-ground Presence
      • USCIS Announces I-765 Application Fee Increases Effective April 1, 2024
      • IMPORTANT CHANGES TO OGS COMMUNICATIONS: Inquiry Form is Live!
      • USCIS Tip Sheet: Avoiding I-765 Delays
      • SEVP Update: Sign and Send I-983 Electronically
      • USCIS Error: Biometrics Appointments and OPT/STEM Extension Applications
      • USCIS Update: Expansion of Premium Processing
      • Executive Orders
  • Employment
    • On-Campus Employment
      • On-Campus Employment
      • Stipended Graduate Assistantships
    • Off-Campus Employment
      • F-1 Curricular Practical Training
      • F-1 Pre-Completion OPT
      • J-1 Academic Training
      • Economic Hardship and Special Student Relief (SSR)
      • Unauthorized Employment
    • Working After Graduation
      • F-1 Post-Completion OPT
      • Reporting Post-Completion OPT
      • 24-Month STEM OPT Extension
      • Reporting STEM OPT Extension
      • H-1B and the Cap-Gap Extension
      • J-1 Academic Training
    • Other Topics
      • DED and TPS
      • Social Security Number
      • Volunteering and Unpaid Internships
      • Employment for Dependents (J-2)
  • Exchange Visitor Program
    • J-1 Scholars
      • Information for Prospective J-1 Scholars
      • Visa Process for J-1 Scholars
      • Arrival for J-1 Scholars
      • Traveling as a J-1 Scholar
      • Guidelines for Maintaining J-1 Scholar Status
      • Completing Your J-1 Scholar Program
      • How to Submit an E-form for J-1 Scholars
      • Financial Requirements for J-1 Scholars
      • Services for J-1 Scholars
  • Student Support
    • Academic & Cultural Support
      • Academic Skills Advising
      • Academic Tools & Tips
      • Events
      • Global Student Mentor Program
    • Helpful Information
      • Campus Resources
      • Tax Information
      • Safety & Scams
      • Health
      • Housing
      • State Issued IDs
      • Family Matters
      • Government Resources
      • Immigration Attorneys and Pro-bono Legal Services
      • Global Student Success
    • About OGS
      • Contact OGS
      • Troubleshooting myOGS
      • E-Forms
      • OGS Service Portal
  • Canadian Campuses
    • New Students
      • POA, PAL, and Deposit Process
      • Applying for a Study Permit
      • Student Direct Stream (SDS)
      • Living in Canada
      • New Students Traveling to Canada
      • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • Co-Op Work Permit
      • Late Arrival and Deferral Policies
      • Events – Incoming Students
    • Student Support
      • Health Insurance
      • Driving in Canada
      • OGS Canada Services and Contact
      • Foreign Consultants and Embassies
      • Retaining Legal Services and Advice
      • Immigration Policy Updates
      • Housing in Canada
    • Current Students
      • Maintaining Student Status in Canada
      • Working While Studying
      • Post-Graduation Work Permit
      • Campus Transfer
      • Academic Dismissal and Immigration Policies
      • Breaks in Studies and Full-Time Definitions
      • Letters of Invitation
      • IRCC Temporary Policy Updates
      • Inviting Family and Friends to Canada
      • Volunteering in Canada

Checklist for Letter of Explanation

Checklist for Letter of Explanation »

Letter of Explanation (LOE) is recommended to submit as a part of the Study Permit application for international students in Canada.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Contact OGS

    354 Richards Hall
    360 Huntington Avenue
    Boston, MA 02115
    +1-617-373-2310
    OGS Service Portal

    Office Hours

    Monday-Friday: 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.
    (Note: We are closed on Tuesdays from 3:00pm – 4:00pm for all staff training and meeting).

    Phone Hours:

    Monday-Friday: 8:30a.m.–4:30p.m. ET


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