Beginning of Semester Immigration Reminders
As we begin a new semester, the Office of International Services would like to remind all members of the UIC international community of steps they can take to properly maintain immigration status and seek support as needed.
Maintain Your Immigration Documents
Now is a great time to pull out your immigration documents (passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019, etc.) and review each one closely. If any information on your documents is outdated or incorrect, connect with OIS immediately.
View your most recent I-94 record online and confirm that your entry and status information is correct. Repeat this process each time you re-enter the U.S. and connect with OIS immediately if your I-94 is ever incorrect.
Make physical and digital copies of your updated immigration documents. Consider carrying copies of your documents (digital or physical) with you as a daily habit so that you can verify your status if needed. Always carry your original documents with you when away from home for an extended period (e.g., overnight).
Review Your Steps to Maintaining Status
The OIS website outlines basic steps to maintaining immigration status for the most common visa types used by international students, scholars, employees, and alumni at UIC. Review your respective pages to ensure that you know what you need to do to properly maintain your status and access benefits.
- F-1 Students
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Students
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Scholars
- UIC International Employees
Prepare for International Travel
If you are planning to travel outside the U.S. in the near future, consider how your immigration status may intersect or be impacted.
Review recommended international travel documents by status and obtain updates such as I-20 or DS-2019 travel signatures before departure. If you are traveling to a third country, such as Canada or Mexico, check with the respective country's government to see if a visa is needed for entry or transit.
If your U.S. visa has expired, plan carefully for visa renewal abroad. U.S. visa issuance is subject to policies set by the U.S. Department of State. It is a good idea to monitor the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate you plan to utilize in your home country so that you are aware of the most up-to-date eligibility and application requirements. The Department of State publishes global visa appointment wait times on its website.
If you have a case pending with USCIS, connect with your OIS advisor prior to booking travel. Your advisor can explain if and how international travel could impact your case processing.
In all cases, it is never a bad idea to connect with OIS to discuss your travel plans and any questions you may have regarding your status or documents.
Connect with OIS
OIS is the primary immigration contact for international students, scholars, employees, and alumni sponsored by UIC. Our team is available to answer questions and provide guidance on a variety of topics, including immigration status maintenance, cultural adjustment, navigating University resources, and more.
You can always reach us at ois@uic.edu or (312) 996-3121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you would like to direct your question to a specific advising team, use our designated email address list.
Individual advising appointments can be scheduled both in person and virtually. International students with a quick question can take advantage of Virtual Drop-In Advising on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The OIS After-Hours Emergency Contact is available for international travel-related emergencies outside our normal hours of operation.
Be Proactive
The best approach to immigration status maintenance is to be proactive and ask questions when in doubt. The earlier you address an immigration application, question, or problem, the more and better options you will have.
However you choose to connect with OIS advising and resources, we look forward to working with you and hope you have a great semester!
Questions and links Heading link
If you have questions about this announcement, please connect with OIS at ois@uic.edu or (312) 996-3121 during our regular office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.