Faculty / Researcher Services / Research Appointments & Visa InformationInformation For Scholars
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Once you have established a relationship with a Northwestern faculty member in the McCormick School of Engineering, a member of the CSC staff will contact you to initiate the paperwork required for your appointment and visa. Only upon request from the faculty member or department administrator will an appointment or visa process be initiated.
Visa Paperwork
During this process, you will be responsible for filling out the appropriate visa paperwork provided by the CSC, paying any applicable fees, and later obtaining a visa stamp from your local US embassy or consulate.
Processing Time
Please note that processing your appointment and visa paperwork may take considerable time, so please plan ahead and contact us in advance if you have any questions or experience delays of any kind in your home country.
We welcome you to the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University and hope that you have a rewarding and successful stay with us!
Getting Started
Funding
If your funding comes from a source outside of Northwestern, we will need verification of your position and certified proof of funding (personal or institutional) for the period of your visit. All documents must be officially translated into English, self-translated documents will not be accepted. If you will be funded by Northwestern, you will not need to demonstrate proof of funding.
The following per-month minimum funding requirements apply to all J-1 visitors:
- $1765 for individual
- $525 for spouse
- $442 per child
Health Insurance
If you are eligible for Northwestern benefits, you must enroll within the first 31 days of your appointment start date.
If you are not eligible for NU benefits you must either:
- Demonstrate proof of outside insurance that meets NU's requirements
- Request enrollment in Visiting Scholar Plan (VSP) through our office
If you do not have Benefits coverage through a U.S. employer or a group health insurance plan, you will be enrolled in Northwestern-issued Visiting Scholar Plan. The cost is $50/week for an individual or $160/week for a family. Please note you may be responsible for reimbursing your department for the cost of this insurance when you arrive at Northwestern.
If you are on a J-1 visa, failure to remain insured is a violation of your J-1 immigration status.
For more information about Visiting Scholar Plan, please visit the Northwestern Risk Management website.
Preliminary Invitation Letter
If you need a preliminary invitation letter from your sponsoring faculty member at Northwestern in order to apply for a scholarship or fellowship, please notify the sponsoring faculty member so that they can request a letter for you.
Visa Types and Processing Times
If you are not a U.S. citizen or resident, you cannot provide services to Northwestern University without the proper visa document. Our office will coordinate with your sponsoring faculty member, host department, and Northwestern's International Office to issue the appropriate visa document.
For a detailed breakdown of each visa type, please visit Visa Types and Processing Times. For more information about visa appointment wait times at your local embassy, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.
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Arrival Information
Directions
Airports
Both Midway and O'Hare International airports are within a reasonable distance of Evanston and have public transportation available to Northwestern University. O'Hare is closer in distance to Northwestern University if you plan to take a taxi or drive to the campus.
Getting to the Evanston Campus
Most McCormick offices are located in the Technological Institute.
On public transportation:
- Take the purple line train (the "El") north (toward Linden) and get off at the Noyes stop.
- Walk east on Noyes (turn left at the bottom of the stairs) toward Sheridan Road.
- Cross the street at the light where Noyes dead-ends into Sheridan Road. The Technological Institute is straight ahead.
Please see the Chicago Transit Authority website for more detailed maps and directions.
Driving: Get driving directions to campus.
Kiss-N-Fly: PACE bus service connects O'Hare International Airport with the Davis stop on the CTA purple line train in Evanston (the "El").