We look forward to welcoming you to campus and are writing regarding your arrival to the U.S. and the required Maintaining Status sessions that ISSA will host within your program orientation.    

Please refer to your program's orientation schedule and bring your passport and Form I-20 or DS-2019 to the Maintaining Status Session hosted by ISSA.

We will cover essential information to help you maintain your F-1 or J-1 status while studying at Notre Dame as well as provide introductory information on how to navigate U.S. systems like banking, U.S. education, health care, and safety. 

We recommend that you complete the F-1 or J-1 New Student Registration form at ISSAlink.nd.edu immediately upon arriving in the Notre Dame area. If you have any trouble, we will review this process at the Maintaining Status session.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Fall 2023 ISSA Pre-Arrival Information Session
Some of you already attended this session, but for those that did not there is a recording on our web page here. This session is meant for incoming students who have not yet entered the U.S. and covers information about your immigration documents, arriving at the port of entry in the U.S., and getting to Notre Dame's campus. 

As many of you are traveling in the next few weeks, we want to ensure you are prepared to present at the U.S. port of entry. Please keep the following papers with you in your carry on, as you will need to present the following documents to the inspections officer before picking up your checked luggage:

    - Valid passport with valid F-1 or J-1 visa

    - Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by Notre Dame

    - Notre Dame admission letter

    - Proof of financial resources

    - SEVIS I-901 fee receipt

Please be aware that CBP officers have the authority to search all electronic devices (phones, computers, etc), even without probable cause, at the U.S. port of entry. 

If possible, we recommend texting a family member, department contact, or friend once you have landed in the U.S. and again once you have passed through Customs and Border Protection inspection points. 

Shuttle Transportation from O'Hare to Notre Dame
ISSA is sponsoring bus transportation on August 10 and 11 for new international students and their guests traveling from Chicago-O'Hare Airport (ORD) to campus. Cost is $70 per rider. More information can be found on our Arrival page and you can reserve your seat from this link.

Other Transportation Options
If you arrive at Chicago O’Hare and rent a car, it will take two hours to drive to Notre Dame. This will be the most expensive option, and a U.S. or international driver's license with international driving permit will likely be required.

If you arrive at Chicago O’Hare and don’t have a car, there are a few options:

You can arrange an UBER/LYFT from Chicago to South Bend; depending on the time, this option will be around $200. We recommend connecting with another new student to share the cost. You'll want them to drop you off at the Eck Visitor Center.

You can take the Chicago Metro to either the South Shore Line or Amtrak trains. From your arrival in South Bend, you would need to take a taxi to campus. This option will be about $60 and may be inconvenient if you have more than two suitcases.  

If you stay in downtown Chicago, you can also take the South Shore Line or Amtrak train to South Bend. You will then need to take a taxi to campus area.

If you arrive at the South Bend airport, you can take a 15-minute taxi to campus area.

You can find more detailed information about these options here.  

There is a time change between Chicago (CST) and South Bend (EST), so add an hour to your expected arrival time

Once you have arrived in the Notre Dame area, go to ISSAlink.nd.edu and complete the F-1 or J-1 New Student Registration e-form. If you delay the registration process, this may impact your ability to complete the I-9 with HR. 

We recommend that you plan to arrive in the South Bend/Notre Dame area Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm. Most apartment offices, including Fischer Graduate Residences, are not open outside of regular office hours or on the weekend, which means you may not be able to move in right away.

If you still need help with housing, go to offcampus.nd.edu, where you will find info about apartments, houses, and rooms for rent. Remember that public transportation is limited, so you'll want to be within walking distance of campus if you do not have a car.

These additional notes and links will help you successfully prepare and begin your time at Notre Dame:

Be sure to have OKTA verification set up on the OKTA app; if you set up OKTA to call your phone in your home country, it will not work when you arrive on campus.

Be sure to bring your passport and I-20/DS-2019 to International Student Orientation. 

ISSA offers free transportation to local grocery stores for students living in Fischer Grad, The Landings, and the Overlook/Campus View area. You'll find the links to sign up on our events page here.

Carry essentials in your carry-on, including electronics (with chargers), all medications (in their original containers), and a change of clothes in case luggage is displaced. Remain flexible and calm, and know we're waiting for you when you arrive.

We look forward to connecting in the coming weeks!