F-1 Student
The majority of international students at UIC are studying on an F-1 visa. The following pages explain how to maintain F-1 status and the various benefits associated with this nonimmigrant visa category.
Quick links for current and prospective F-1 international students
Current International Students
Current international students
New and prospective international students
New and prospective international students
Maintaining F-1 status basics
Keeping your contact information up-to-date, accurately documenting your financial support when necessary and meeting full-time enrollment requirements are the basic steps you must take to maintain your F-1 immigration status in the U.S.
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International students in F-1 status must maintain accurate local and permanent addresses in their SEVIS records at all times. This includes F-1 students currently enrolled at UIC and alumni on periods of authorized F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Funding Requirements
International students in F-1 status may need to submit updated evidence of funding documentation in the event their funding source changes or as supporting documentation for another immigration request. In either case, it is necessary to know what sources of funding are acceptable for immigration purposes and how to properly document them.
Enrollment Requirements
International students in F-1 status must maintain full-time enrollment during each required academic term, which at UIC are the fall and spring semesters. It is your responsibility to ensure that your enrollment meets the requirements of your immigration status throughout the duration of your program at UIC.
Academic changes
Your academic plans and immigration status are closely connected. When a change occurs with your academics an update to your immigration record is likely needed. Learn about common academic-related immigration updates below.
Change of Education Level
International students in F-1 status who plan to change their education level at UIC must notify OIS by completing the Change of Degree Level process. This includes students who progress from a non-degree to a degree level stage of their contract program, students who graduate and continue to a higher level degree program at UIC, and students who wish to study two degree programs concurrently.
Change of Major
International students in F-1 status must study full-time in the major listed on their SEVIS record and Form I-20. If you decide to change your major, or add a second major, you must notify the Office of International Services by submitting a request to change major.
Program Extension
An international student in F-1 status must always maintain accurate academic information in their SEVIS record and on their Form I-20. If you find that you will not complete your academic program requirements by the end date listed on your I-20, you must request a program extension with the Office of International Services.
Leave of Absence
International students in F-1 status must always maintain full-time enrollment in order to remain in the U.S. If you encounter a situation where you need to take a break from studies, either for a semester or more, you will need to request a leave of absence from UIC and work with OIS to update your immigration record and plan for departure.
Employment
The F-1 visa is first and foremost a student visa. Your primary objective while in the U.S. on an F-1 visa should always be your studies. That said, your F-1 visa does carry employment benefits that allow you to work on-campus and gain practical training in your field of study. The links below outline what you need to know with regards to employment and the F-1 visa.
On-Campus Employment
International students in F-1 status are automatically eligible to accept on-campus employment but it is important to understand the immigration regulations and campus policies surrounding this employment benefit.
Curricular Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in academically required off-campus training, paid or unpaid, that is directly related to their major of study.
Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a work authorization that allows F-1 international students to obtain off-campus training directly related to their field of study both during their academic program and after graduation.
STEM Optional Practical Training
STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT) is an extension of the post-completion OPT work authorization available to certain F-1 international students that have completed degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Other F-1 status issues
Depending on your situation, you may need to take additional action on your F-1 record beyond basic status maintenance, academic changes, or employment. Below are other areas in which OIS supports F-1 student status maintenance.
F-1 SEVIS Transfer Out
International students in F-1 status that plan to leave UIC to study at a different school in the U.S. must request a transfer of their SEVIS record to the new academic institution.
Departure & Ending Status
International students must notify OIS when they permanently depart the U.S. or no longer need the benefits associated with their non-immigrant status sponsored by UIC.
Verification Letters
OIS supports F-1 international students by issuing verification letters for certain processes in which it is necessary to confirm aspects of your immigration status or activities in the U.S.
Dependents
Some international students may want to have family accompany them during their time in the U.S. Depending on the situation, you might decide to add that family member to your F-1 record as a dependent.
F-2 Dependents
The spouse and any unmarried children, under the age of 21, of an F-1 student is eligible to enter the U.S. in F-2 dependent status.
Connect with an OIS Advisor
If you have a question about your immigration status, you can connect with an OIS advisor via email, phone, or individual advising appointment. Current international students can email ois@uic.edu, and prospective international students can use newintl@uic.edu. All students can reach our front desk at +1 (312) 996-3121.
Advising appointments are available Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. Click below to access iAdvise and schedule your appointment. You can choose to meet with the OIS advisor in person at our office or virtually via Zoom. Scheduled appointments are encouraged for more complex cases, longer discussions, or when needed to best suit your schedule.
Zoom drop-in advising is available on Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Click below to join the waiting room and you will be seen by an OIS advisor in the order you arrive. Virtual drop-in advising is encouraged for quick cases or questions that cannot wait for a scheduled advising appointment the following week.