Once you have been accepted for admission to UIS for a program of study, you will need a form I-20 in order to apply for your visa (or change to F-1 status). To learn more about the form I-20, please visit Study in the States. This document, along with your passport, visa, and arrival/departure record (form I-94) should be kept current and up-to-date at all times.
Each year students from countries throughout the world make the University of Illinois Springfield their first choice in quality education. If you are an international student interested in joining our campus, begin the process with the Office of Admissions.
The H-1B visa is a visa used by a temporary worker. You must have at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify, but typically will need a master’s or Ph.D. depending upon the relevant position. The visa is specific to a position. Application is made by the employer and not the individual.
The following are F-1 Visa resources for international students.
It is very important for all non-immigrants to maintain their status for the full time that they are in the United States. Maintaining your status means that you are following all the rules determined by your visa status. If you fail to follow the rules, you may be considered by the US government to be out of status. Failure to maintain status may result in loss of all benefits and possible removal from the US (deportation) under government regulations. Maintaining status is the responsibility of the non-immigrant, NOT of the school or its officials.
As you know, your form I-20 is one of the important documents that must remain up-to-date as long as you are in F-1 non-immigrant status. It should be carried with you whenever you travel, both inside the US and abroad, and it should be stored safely along with your passport, visa, and I-94. If you lose it, or any of your travel documents, the loss should be reported, and your documents should be replaced.
To remain in valid F-1 immigration status, international students must enroll full-time each required semester. If students need to take off a required semester, abruptly end their studies, or depart the US for an emergency, they may request permission for an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).
If you are currently an F-1 student in good standing at your current school, you can have your SEVIS record transferred to UIS. You must begin your classes or program within five months of transferring out of your current school, completing your program, or the end date of your Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment, whichever comes earlier.
As an F-1 student, you must complete your program of study prior to the program end date shown on your form I-20. If you are unable to do so for a compelling academic reason, you must apply for an extension.
Federal regulations require that all changes of physical address by F-1 international students be reported within 10 days of the move. UIS students must update their address in their UIS Account and in SEVIS via your iStart account.
In order to change your mailing address in UIS Self-Service, please follow the steps below: