OIS News

Stay up to date on OIS news including stories from the UIC international community, program updates, and immigration announcements.

Student listen to a faculty member teach in a lecture hall.

SEVP Ends COVID-19 Flexibilities for 2023-24 Academic Year

In conjunction with the declared end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced the termination of its COVID-19 guidance on…

View of the UIC circle mark on east campus with three flags and the Chicago skyline in the background.

USCIS Premium Processing Expansion of Form I-539

As previously announced by our office in March 2023, today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the expansion of Premium Processing for applicants seeking to change status to F or J nonimmigrant.

Ariel view of east campus highlighting University Hall and the Willis Tower.

USCIS Premium Processing Expansion

As previously communicated by our office in January 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has recently announced further details surrounding the immediate expansion and phasing in of optional Premium Processing for certain F-1…

University Hall is reflected on the side of Douglas Hall.

USCIS expands eligibility for premium processing

On January 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced further expansion of premium processing eligibility for certain immigration benefit requests and classifications.

Three students sit at desks in a classroom listening to a lecture.

Spring 2023 International Student Status Maintenance Reminders

The temporary pandemic flexibilities provided by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for F-1 international student status maintenance have expired for most international students. Only F-1 students enrolled on or before March…

Street view of aerial walkway at UI Health.

Update on billing practices for UPS shipping costs

Effective Feb. 1, 2023, the Office of International Services will return to its normal process of billing departments for UPS shipping costs associated with employment-based immigration documents. At the onset of the pandemic…