International Travel Updates and Reminders
The Office of International Services would like to ensure members of our international community are prepared for any upcoming international travel. If you are planning an international trip in the coming weeks, please review the following updates and reminders and connect with an OIS advisor if you would like to discuss your international travel plans and clear up any doubts you might have about your immigration documents or status.
Prepare Your Immigration Documents for Travel
Prior to international travel, review your current immigration documents and review recommended travel documents by status closely; ensure you have a printed paper copy of your most recent I-94 record. Organize updated versions of each document in physical and digital form. Plan for how you will securely carry your physical (paper copy) documents while traveling and how you will access backup documents if needed.
If there is any information on your immigration document(s) that is incorrect or no longer aligns with your UIC program, Connect with an OIS advisor immediately for guidance on how to request the appropriate update.
Plan Carefully for Visa Renewals
If your U.S. visa stamp has expired, plan carefully for a visa renewal abroad. In general, applicants should now expect initial and renewal visa applications to take longer and for refusal rates to increase due to current administrative policies requiring extreme vetting of all applicants.
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) controls visa processing at U.S. consulates and embassies abroad. DOS recently updated the requirements visa applicants must meet in order to be considered for a waiver of the nonimmigrant in-person visa interview. Those previously eligible for the waiver may now be required to present for an in-person interview when renewing their visa. Global Visa Wait Times can be viewed by city/post on the DOS website travel.state.gov.
If possible, it is a good idea to connect with your OIS advisor to discuss your visa renewal plans prior to departing the U.S.
Expect Delays Upon Re-Entry to the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) handles immigration and customs inspection at U.S. Ports of Entry (POEs). Review tips to prepare for CBP inspection on the OIS website.
Potential staffing shortages within CBP may lead to longer processing times at airports and other sea or land POEs. In addition, heightened scrutiny of all non-immigrant, immigrant, and U.S. citizen individuals requesting entry to the U.S. will likely result in an increase in secondary inspections, which can further delay entry at the POE.
After passing through CBP inspection and successfully re-entering the U.S., review your I-94 record for accuracy and contact OIS if you notice anything incorrect.
Stay in Touch
Members of the UIC international community are reminded to contact OIS in the event of an immigration-related emergency or when being processed through secondary inspection at a POE. OIS can help verify your immigration status with the CBP officers if needed. The OIS After-Hours Emergency Contact is available for immigration-related emergencies outside our normal hours of operation.
Remember, you can always connect with OIS via email (ois@uic.edu), phone (312-996-3121), or by appointment to discuss your international travel plans and clear up any doubts you might have about your immigration documents or status. Our regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We look forward to working with you!
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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.