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Welcome, International Students!

​The word Welcome spelled out in different languages

International students can obtain a full degree at Northeastern Illinois University with an F-1 visa. 

Why choose Northeastern?

NEIU is one of the most diverse public universities in the Midwest, attracting students from more than 100 countries. Small, vibrant classes and the 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensure students get personalized attention from our excellent faculty. This prepares students to think critically, engage in research, learn to solve problems and to become leaders, all qualities that employers seek. The AACSB-accredited College of Business and Technology is just one of NEIU's many outstanding features. Others include great science programs, interesting annual conferences, and the many internship opportunities its location in Chicago provides. NEIU offers assistantships in various departments and many on-campus employment opportunities for international students. NEIU is ranked No. 1 for the social mobility of its alumni because NEIU alumni have great earning potential, thus NEIU is a great investment for a successful future.

If you are an international student, you can apply to Northeastern Illinois University’s undergraduate (bachelor's) degree program, graduate (master's) degree program, or its English as a Second Language program, SAELL. 

Check out all the programs that NEIU offers!

Also, explore NEIU’s location in Chicago, America’s third largest city which annually attracts 55 million tourists because of its amazing shopping, museums, music, theaters, sports and gorgeous lakefront on enormous Lake Michigan. Since the erection of the world's first skyscraper in 1884, Chicago has had a reputation for world-class architecture. Today, Illinois hosts the corporate headquarters of 36 Fortune 500 companies. Learn more!

Apply as an Undergraduate student

Apply as a graduate student Intensive English Program: SAELL 

International (F-1) Student Application Deadlines: 

Northeastern Illinois University has three semesters: fall, spring, and summer. 

Please submit all required documents by the following dates below to be considered for the appropriate semester. 

  • Deadline for fall semester is June 15 (Classes begin in August and end in December.) 

  • Deadline for spring semester is October 1 (Classes begin in January and end in May.) 

  • Deadline for summer semesters is March 1 (Classes begin in May and end in August). 

FIND OUT IF THERE IS AN EDucationUSA OFFICE NEAR YOU 

The government of the United States welcomes students from around the world to apply to U.S. universities. For this reason, many U.S. embassies and consulates house “American Corners” and English language libraries as well as EducationUSA offices. EducationUSA offices provide many services to students who are exploring the possibility of studying in the U.S. These services range from English language classes to student clubs, to webinars and seminars on educational topics, and advice about how to obtain a U.S. student (F-1) visa. In some locations, the embassy officers who conduct visa interviews hold seminars to explain their processes. And in some locations, EducationUSA advisors will conduct mock visa interviews. We strongly recommend that all students reach out to an EducationUSA office at the very beginning of exploring the possibility of studying in the U.S.

FIND OUT IF THERE'S AN NEIU PARTNER RECRUiTING AGENT NEAR YOU 

Northeastern Illinois University encourages international students to apply directly to the University when possible. However, we understand there are times when additional information and/or some help might be needed from someone who understands your language and cultural needs. As a result, Northeastern works with select, reputable international recruiting agents around the world. These agents function as "in-country" representatives of NEIU and help guide qualified international candidates for both our undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as our English language program, SAELL. 

Agents In Your Region:

Africa

  1. Ethiopia: GlobeDock

  2. Morroco: CrossBridge Overseas

  3. Nigeria: British AUC Ltd

  4. Nigeria: Royal Bright Oversees Consult Ltd

  5. Multiple Countries: Universal Education Services and Travels

  6. Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and beyond: FindAdmission

Asia

  1. China: Beijing Prepare Education Consulting Co., Ltd.

  2. China: LTU International Student Service Corp.

  3. China: FirstPoint International Ltd.

  4. China: First Study

  5. China: Prepare Global Education Group Limited Education

  6. China: Wiseway Global

  7. Mongolia: United World, LLC.

  8. Vietnam: FourDozen

  9. Vietnam: Capstone

  10. Vietnam: Elite Education

  11. Vietnam: Skyler, Ltd.

  12. Multiple Countries: Interedwise Education Group Ltd.

Asia - South

  1. Bangladesh: Sunway Admissions 

  2. Bangladesh: TPNL: The Professional Network (Also serving Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.)

  3. Bangladesh: Sure Success Education Consultancy

  4. India: Apex Consultants

  5. India(Hyderabad): AVR Consultants

  6. India: Canam Consultants Ltd. (Also serving Kuwait and the United Kingdom.)

  7. India: Career Mosaic Pvt. Ltd. (Also serving Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.)

  8. India: PacASIA Services, Pvt. Ltd. (Also serving Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.)

  9. India: CollegeDay

  10. India: Nestlings Inc

  11. India: Nobel Consultancy

  12. India: Storm Education Group Pvt Ltd

  13. India: Worldwide Edu Consultants

  14. India: Edge Exim Incorporated- EEC

  15. India: Edu World International

  16. India: Valmiki Group

  17. India: Shiksha

  18. India: Edwise Overseas Education Consultants

  19. India: GeeBee

  20. India: Kanan International

  21. India: Nexus Consultants

  22. India: Study Metro

  23. India: Foreign Education Consultants

  24. Nepal: Bradford Education Consultancy Ltd.

  25. Pakistan: Education Concern

Middle East

  1. Jordan: Yes, Atlas (Also serving Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.)

  2. Saudi Arabia: Araboug- Arab Education Consultancy

  3. Turkey: Crown Education

  4. UAE: Unistudent Universities Entrance Services

Europe

  1. England: FirstPoint International Ltd.

  2. England: Interedwise Education Group. Ltd.

  3. England: IQRA Consultants

  4. Germany: IEC- International Education Centre

  5. Ukraine- Mudra LLC

Latin America

  1. Brazil: N&M Intercambios e Cursos no Exterior

North America

  1. Canada: ApplyBoard.Inc

  2. USA: SAGIP Consultants, LLC

  3. USA: Whizstorm, Inc.

fREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is F-1 student status?



F-1 student status is the nonimmigrant classification granted to individuals whose primary purpose for residing temporarily in the U.S. is to pursue full-time academic study. One of the most important obligations to maintain F-1 status is to be enrolled full-time in an accredited academic institution (i.e., a minimum of 12 credits for undergraduate students, and nine credits for graduate students). 

Do I have to change my visa status to that of an F-1 to be a student? 



If you are already in the U.S., you may be able to study full-time or part-time depending on your current visa status. In other cases, you cannot study at all until you are approved for F-1 visa status. Read Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study? to determine your eligibility. Find out more on change of status. 

Is a change to F-1 status the same as the F-1 visa? 



No! F-1 status only permits you to remain in the U.S. in order to study full-time and get the benefits of F-1 status during the duration of your study. If you change to F-1 status and travel outside the U.S., you will be required to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy/consulate before you travel back to the U.S. to resume your studies. Approval for a change of status within the U.S. does not guarantee that the U.S. embassy outside the U.S. will issue an F-1 visa. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of State function autonomously and both agencies make decisions independently of one another. 

Am I eligible for a change to F-1 student status? 

To be eligible, you must maintain your current nonimmigrant status and present an unexpired Form I-94 to Citizenship and Immigration Services. Go to Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study? to determine your eligibility. If you are eligible you can change to F-1 status once you have been accepted to NEIU, then you will receive an I-20 Form to begin the F-1 process.