Step 1: Things to Do for Immigration
Before you can attend Illinois State as an international student, there are things you must do for Immigration reasons. What you need to do depends on whether:
- You will travel to ISU from outside the United States;
- You are already attending another school in the U.S. and will transfer to ISU; or
- You will attend the English Language Institute at ISU.
(A) If You Will Travel to ISU from Outside the United States:
- Make sure that the information on your Immigration document is correct:
- If you will apply for the F-1 Visa, you will have an I-20 form from ISU. If the information on Page 1 is correct, print and sign your name on Line 11. Do not write anywhere else.
- If you will have the J-1 Visa, you will have a DS-2019 form from ISU. If the information on Page 1 is correct, read page 2. Then sign and complete the very bottom of Page 1 where it says, "Exchange Visitor Certification." Do not write anywhere else on the form.
- Pay your $100 SEVIS I-901 fee. This is easy. You can find instructions at: Student and Exchange Visitor Program and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- After you pay the SEVIS fee, make an appointment with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country and apply for your student visa. Please note: you will not be able to attend a visa interview until you have paid your SEVIS fee. After you pay your SEVIS fee, you also pay a visa application fee and attend an in-person interview. You should apply for your visa as early as possible. For information about getting your visa, visit these sites:
- Be sure that your passport will be valid for at least 6 months into the future. If not, contact the appropriate agency in your country who can issue and extend passports. It is also important not to let your passport expire while you are in the United States.
(B) If You Are Attending Another School in The U.S. and Will Transfer to ISU, Please Do the Following:
- Talk to the International Office at the school you are currently attending.
- Tell them that you wish to transfer to Illinois State.
- Find out the date that they will "release" your Immigration record in SEVIS. Illinois State cannot accept you under our Immigration sponsorship until your old school releases your record.
- Contact ISU's International Studies Office to say you are planning to transfer here. Be sure to tell us your Immigration "release date" from your former school. Please also complete and send us this form: Transferring to Illinois State from Another University.
- Once your old school "releases" your record in SEVIS and Illinois State accepts you, we will send you new Immigration papers (I-20 or DS-2019) and a pre-arrival welcome packet. (Be sure to keep any old Immigration forms and bring them with you to Illinois State.)
- Make sure that the information on your new I-20 or DS-2019 form is correct. If so:
- F-1 students should print and sign their name on Line 11 of their I-20 form.
- J-1 students should read Page 2 of their DS-2019 form, then sign and complete the very bottom of Page 1 where it says, "Exchange Visitor Certification."
- Special Note: If you will be changing your Immigration status (for example, from the J-1 visa to the F-1 visa), please contact an Immigration Advisor for guidance. Depending on your visa type, there may be restrictions on your ability to take classes at Illinois State.
(C) If You Will Attend the English Language Institute:
Illinois State University has an intensive English program at the English Language Institute, also known as ELI.
Before you can attend Illinois State as an international student, there are a few things that you need to do for Immigration reasons. :
- If you are transferring to ISU from another U.S. university, please refer to (b) shown above.
- If you are coming to study from outside the U.S., please see ( a) shown above.
Once you have been admitted by ELI, Betsy Drillon in the International Studies Office will prepare your I-20 form so you can apply for your F-1 Visa. Betsy will send you a pre-arrival packet with your I-20 and other information to help you prepare for your time at ELI.
ELI students should arrive before the program begins on Monday of Orientation Week. There will be placement testing and cultural and social activities for students throughout the week to prepare you for a successful educational endeavor.
