Newly Admitted Students - International Programs Office

1. SEVIS I-901 Fee

• Pay your SEVIS I-901 fee. This can be done online with a credit card. Please be sure to print your receipt out at the end.
  • You will need your SEVIS number which is in the upper left of your I-20 or DS 2019 (starts with N).

2. Apply for your Student Visa

• F-1 Student Visa - apply for an F-1 visa if you have been admitted as an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking student. 
• J-1 Exchange Visa - apply for a J-1 visa if you are an exchange students from an approved partner university. 
• Here is a helpful video with visa interview tips. 

ATTENTION CANADIAN STUDENTS: You do not apply for an F1 visa. You will need to bring the following documentation with you for Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) review:

• NMU Admissions Letter
• Form I-20
• SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt
• Passport
• Recommended to bring proof of finances (how will you pay for your education at NMU)

**Be sure to print out these forms for your visa interview and for entrance to the U.S.

U.S. Customs will review your documentation and they will date stamp your I-20 and write "F-1 D/S". Please check your date stamp to make sure you were admitted as an F-1 student and not a visitor on a "B" visa. 

Create your NMU Email Account

Please follow the instructions on how to create your NMU email account HERE. Once you create your username and password you will go to www.gmail.com and enter your username and password to complete your NMU email account set up.

You will use the same username and password to log into your MyNMU account to complete your housing application below. 

MyNMU

MyNMU is a Northern Michigan University webpage that gives you access to your student information. From the website, you can log in and access the following information:

• Check your NMU email.
• Student Services: Here you can view/update your personal information, search and register for courses, view your grades, unofficial transcript, and more.
• Employee Services: If you work on campus and get paid, this is where you can check your payment information.
• View and pay your tuition bills.
• Get links to the NMU Bookstore and Olson Library located on campus.
• View your Dining Dollar transactions/balances, report a lost NMU ID card and deposit funds into your account.
• Purchase your recreation membership, which gives you access to the PEIF, Superior Dome, and the Berry Events Center.
• Register your bicycle with Public Safety (in case your bike is lost or stolen, Public Safety will have a better chance of finding it).

On Campus- Housing

Apply for housing through your MyNMU account. You will need your NMU IN (found on your admissions letter).

All students must pay a $200 housing deposit along with a $50 application fee. Your housing contract will start the Thursday before the first day of classes.

If you are 21 years of age or older, you can apply to stay in an apartment. To do this you will need to submit a paper application and fax it to our Housing office at 1-906-227-1423 or email it to housing@nmu.edu.

Early Arrival 

Orientation begins prior to the official move-in day. You will likely want to move into your room early and should contact the Housing Office directly to arrange that. You can email them at housing@nmu.edu. Include your request to move-in early, your NMU IN, and the day that you intend to move-in. Please let them know that you are an international student. 

There is fee of $25-$40/day for early move-in depending on the style of room you will be living in. 

Register for Orientation

All international students will attend the NMU General Orientation upon arrival.

Sign up for the August (fall semester) or January (winter semester) NMU General Student Orientation and pay the orientation fee HERE.

*NOTE: registration opens approximately one month prior to the start of the semester.

New Freshman Orientation: This is for students who are attending NMU and have not attended any other college/university. 

Transfer Student Orientation: This is for students who have attended another college/university.

International Programs Office Orientation 

This orientation program will include presentation from the International Programs Office. During these sessions, we will provide information regarding immigration guidance, cultural support, tips for academic success, and practical support (cell phone set-up, bank accounts, shopping trips). 

Flight Information

You will need to book your flight to K.I. Sawyer International Airport in Marquette, Michigan (airport code: MQT). Once you arrive at the airport, it is a short 20-minute drive to Northern Michigan University's campus. You can either register for the optional Airport Pick-up or arrange your own transportation to campus. 

For the Fall 2023 semester, the IPO is offering an airport pick-up option from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. You must be in Chicago before August 20th at 3:00 pm. We will drive you to Marquette from Chicago. 

All students should provide arrival information on the NMU International Student Arrival Form. This will ensure that you have transportation and that you are able to get into your dorms in case of an arrival outside of business hours. 

Airport Pick-up $35.00 (Optional)

If you would like an IPO staff member to pick you up from K.I. Sawyer International Airport or Chicago O'Hare International Airport (August 20th only), please request the service on the NMU International Student Arrival Form. We will charge your NMU student account $35.00 for this service. 

If you would like to take a taxi, you will need to make a reservation with Checker Transport. 

Welcome Package $80.00 (Optional)

The International Programs Office can provide you with a blanket, twin sheets for your bed, pillow, pillowcase, towel, washcloth, and a snack bag. Please request the service on the NMU International Student Arrival Form. We will charge your NMU student account $80.00 for this service.  

1. NMU New Student Orientation 

You will receive a detailed international student orientation schedule at least one week before arrival. During this orientation, we will cover immigration check it, have presentations from different student services departments, cover basic immigration rules and regulations along with getting to know campus and preparing you for your NMU orientation. 

2. Insurance

All F1 and J1 visa students are required to have health insurance that meet immigration and NMU requirements. Please review the NMU International Health Insurance website for information about the current health insurance policy, coverage dates, costs, and the waiver process. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the International Programs Office.

3. Vaccination Information

NMU requires all students to provide proof of receiving 2 doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination. Please bring your vaccination records with you to provide to our NMU Health Center. If you do not have proof of your MMR vaccinations, then you will need to receive them at NMU.

Some students will also be required to have a Tuberculosis Test (TB) please see http://www.stoptb.org/countries/tbdata.asp for the list of countries that will need to be tested for TB. If you test positive, then you will be sent to have an x-ray done. You will be responsible for the costs of any vaccinations/tests that need to be done.

For information on the Covid-19 Vaccination policy - please visit the NMU Safe-on-Campus Website.

For cost information, please see our Health Center website and the different services they provide.

1. Foreign Student Documentation Fee $125.00

This is a one-time charge for all international students for their first semester. This charge covers the cost of recertification of our SEVIS F1/J1 programs as well as other administrative immigration duties performed during your stay at NMU.

2. Credit Card

If you are planning to travel during your stay in the US you may want to get a credit card from your home country. A credit card is needed to rent a car and many times to reserve a hotel room. 

3. Weather

The weather in Marquette can be wonderful but it can change a lot in just one day. You will want to bring clothes for warm and cold weather. 

4. 12 month/24 month rule (exchange students/scholars)

Please review the bottom of your DS 2019 and if you have a checkmark regarding 2-year residency requirement see the link for more information.

5. Marquette Community

Visit the City of Marquette website to get information about our beautiful area.

To learn more about making payments to your NMU eBill, click HERE.