Non-UIC Sponsored International Employees

There are many employment statuses for individuals that are working at the University but are not sponsored by UIC. For employees sponsored by UIC, please navigate to your appropriate status on our website.

If you need to check in with OIS, please navigate to our check-in page and follow the appropriate instructions for your status.

Please note: OIS may not provide legal advice to employees and visitors who are not sponsored by UIC, see our Use of Attorney guidelines. Contact your sponsor and/or an immigration attorney if you have questions beyond the scope of our office. For questions about the information on this page, contact oisscholar@uic.edu.

Common Non-UIC Sponsored Employee Statuses Heading link

The following are common statuses working at UIC; it is not an exhaustive list.

F-1 OPT/STEM – graduate of a non-UIC institution working on “Optional Practical Training”

F-1 CPT – student enrolled at another school working at UIC on “Curricular Practical Training”

J-1 AT – graduate of a non-UIC institution working on Academic Training

J-2 – J-1 dependent with work authorization

H-4 – H-1B dependent with work authorization

Green card-pending/Adjustment of Status/I-485-pending – awaiting a final green card, has work authorization (EAD card)

  • Special advice for current UIC H-1B and O-1 status holders who are simultaneously pending adjustment of status is in our U.S. Permanent Residence section.

Maintaining and Extending Status Heading link

Maintain your current status and work authorization documents.  Upload any new status and/or work authorization documents via myOIS International Employees & Visitors, Immigration Document Update.  Common documents include, but are not limited to:

  • Passport
  • Form I-94
  • Visa
  • Form I-20 or DS-2019
  • EAD Card

Update your contact information in the following places within 10 days of any residential move:

  • myOIS – International Employees & Visitors, Address and Contact Update form.
  • F-1, J-1, J-2 – contact your sponsoring institution for SEVIS reporting requirements.
  • All others – Complete USCIS Form AR-11, “Alien’s Change of Address Card”

Most non-sponsored statuses allow you to take classes, but some statuses limit enrollment to “incidental” (not full-time).

Only “true volunteering” is allowed. See our volunteering section.

Contact your sponsor and/or attorney for travel advice.  If changing status to UIC-sponsored near your travel time, contact OIS for specific advice.

UIC will be able to update and extend your employment record if your unit offer/appointment and work authorization are extended. See the “Documents” information above and submit new documents via myOIS.

  • 180-day automatic extensions: Some EAD cards (statuses) receive 180-day work authorization extensions while the new EAD card is pending. This includes F-1 STEM OPT applicants. If you qualify, submit the proper documents via myOIS.

Change of status: If you are extending your employment through a change of status sponsored by UIC, your department will need to initiate the sponsorship process by submitting the appropriate request forms to our office. OIS will then guide you through the process step-by-step.

Your department will initiate a Departure Form to notify OIS of your departure from UIC.