Contact Your International Advisors

Betsy Drillon for F-1 Visa Students

Stephanie Gonzalez for J-1 Visa Students

Sarah Jome for H-1B and other visa types

You may schedule an advising appointment by calling (309) 438-5276 or emailing one of the advisors above.

Watch a PowerPoint presentation about Immigration Laws and Your Responsibilities.

You may be surprised to learn that it is illegal in the United States for international students to accept employment off campus, unless it relates to their study program and they have received prior permission from Immigration. To learn more, please contact one of the advisors above.

Immigration: What You Need to Know and Do

Every visa holder in the United States has rights and responsibilities. As a student attending Illinois State, you need to know about Immigration laws and follow them.

Most international students at Illinois State have the F-1 visa or J-1 visa. The F-1 visa is mainly used by degree-seeking students. The J-1 visa is mostly used by non-degree seeking students, exchange students, and those sponsored by governments or scholarship agencies. Immigration laws can be similar for the F-1 and J-1 visas, but in some ways they are quite different (especially when it comes to employment).

The information below explains what you must do to be in good standing with Immigration. Should you have any questions, please contact an advisor in International Studies.

1) Obey Immigration Laws

You Must Always Have A Full-time Course Load

Undergraduate students must maintain at least 12 credit hours; graduate students must always have at least 9 hours.
Never drop a class or reduce your hours without first talking to an International Studies Advisor. You must receive Immigration permission to be enrolled less than full time.

Keep Your Immigration Documents Current

Keep your passport, I-94 and DS-2019 up to date.
Don’t let your passport expire. Renew it at least 6 months before it expires.
You must carry your Immigration documents with you at all times while you are in the United States.

Report Changes in Your Address within 10 Days of Moving

Whenever you move (or if you change your name), you must report your new address/name to U.S. Immigration within 10 days. Contact the International Studies Office for help.

When You Are Finished with Your Studies, Leave the United States on Time

F-1 students must depart within 60 days after the ending date on your I-20.
J-1 students must leave the United States within 30 days after the ending date on your DS-2019.

Extend Your Stay or Transfer to Another University before your I-20 or DS-2019 Expires

If you find that you will need more time to complete your studies, or would like to transfer to another U.S. university, there are Immigration processes you must complete before. Please make an appointment with an International Studies advisor for assistance before your Immigration form (I-20 or DS-2019) expires.

J-1 Students Must Have Health Insurance That Meets Immigration Requirements

While you study in America, you are required by the U.S. Department of State to have specific types of medical insurance for your entire stay. You are never allowed to cancel this insurance or you may be subject to having your study program canceled. Your insurance must be equal to, or better than, the terms below:

Medical Evacuation up to $10,000 (to cover expenses of being transported back to home country in the event of serious illness/injury)
Repatriation of Remains up to $7,500 (to cover expenses of transportation back to home country in the event of death)
$50,000 per accident or illness
Deductible of no more than $500
Covers any pre-existing conditions after a reasonable waiting period
Includes provision for co-payment not exceeding 25 percent co-pay by the exchange visitor
Does not exclude benefits for perils inherent to activities of the exchange visitor’s program
Must be underwritten by an insurance company that meets the rating requirements of the USIA or is backed by the full faith and credit of the exchange visitor’s government.

Illinois State University Insurance:

All students taking at least 9 hours of classes will be billed for Illinois State’s basic health insurance plan. The cost of this insurance is relatively inexpensive ($161 each semester in 2007-08). Since the basic Illinois State plan meets only some of the J-1 requirements, it is also necessary to purchase insurance for “Repatriation of Remains” and “Medical Evacuation.” This additional insurance is available for only $10 more per semester. The total cost of insurance for exchange students was $171 in the Spring 2008 semester. This price may increase in 2008-09. Illinois State’s insurance plan does not cover dental care, so you may want to take care of any non-emergency dental problems before you come.

Insurance from Home or A Scholarship Provider:

You may use insurance from outside ISU if it meets or exceeds the insurance terms listed above. Exchange students MUST provide proof of J-1 insurance to Stephanie Gonzalez in International Studies. She will check to confirm that it meets the J-1 requirements. If so, you will be able to cancel your ISU insurance at the start of the semester.

To Cancel Your ISU insurance:

Go to the Student Health Insurance Office

Show them your proof of J-1 insurance

Complete a cancellation form

You must cancel your insurance by the 15th day of the Fall or Spring semester, otherwise it will be too late and you will be charged anyway.

If your plan from home does not provide all of the J-1 requirements, you will need to purchase additional insurance coverage to fully satisfy the Immigration insurance requirement.

2) Know the Rules about Employment

F-1 Students

Students may legally work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session. When the university is on a break, students may work unlimited on-campus hours. You do not need prior permission from International Studies or Immigration.
On the other hand, no off-campus employment is allowed without prior permission from Immigration. The employment must be necessary for your study program or relate to it, depending on whether you would work during your studies or after you graduate. To learn more about off-campus work permission, please talk to Betsy Drillon and read the information below:
- Curricular Practical Training: An Off-Campus Internship While You Are Still Studying
- Optional Practical Training: An Off-Campus Internship after You Graduate
Students who experience an unexpected drop in financial support may be eligible to apply for Financial Hardship Employment.

J-1 Students

Like F-1 visa holders, J-1 students may work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session. When the university is on a break, students may work unlimited on-campus hours. Unlike F-1 students, however, J-1 visa holders must receive a work permission letter from the International Studies Office before starting any on-campus job.
No off-campus employment is allowed unless it relates to your studies and you have received prior approval from International Studies. Please talk to about the Immigration process if you wish to do an internship, otherwise known as Academic Training .

3) Know What to Do for Traveling

If you will travel inside the United States, there is nothing special that you need to do for Immigration purposes, except carry your passport, I-20 or Ds-2019, visa, and I-94 card at all times.

If you will travel outside the United States, you must ask an advisor in International Studies to sign your I-20 or DS-2019 for a travel validation, and write a travel letter. Please allow a few days for these steps.

Before leaving the United States, please be aware of these very important points:

Never leave the United States without having your I-20 or DS-2019 signed. You may not be allowed to re-enter.
Always check your U.S. visa to make sure it will be valid when you wish to come back in the U.S.
Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months into the future.
If traveling to a country other than home, check to see if you will need a visa to enter that country.