Pre-Arrival Information for New International Students

In addition to managing your admitted student checklist in myIllini, make sure to review the information below before you arrive on campus.

I-901 SEVIS Fee

If you will hold an F-1 or J-1 visa status, please pay your SEVIS fee once you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from UIUC. The SEVIS fee can be paid online at fmjfee.com (I-901 fee). Remember to print the receipt to present at your visa interview.

Entry Visa

Schedule an appointment for your non-immigrant entry visa at usembassy.gov. Please bring the required documents to your visa interview as listed on the embassy website.

If you wish to bring your Notice of Admission to your visa interview, you can access it through your admitted student checklist in myIllini. It is located at the bottom of the page under "Additional Information."

Final Admissions Documents

Final college transcripts need to be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as soon as final grades are posted. First-year students will need to submit all official test scores, high school transcripts, and a statement of graduation by July 1 or as soon as final grades are posted if graduating after July 1. If your transcripts will not be released by this date or the deadline has passed, please contact us. Failure to submit final documents on time may result in a change to your admission status.

International Student Check-In

All new international students are required by law to report for check-in with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Please review important dates and the instructions for the virtual check in.

International Student Orientation

ISSS and New Student & Family Experiences offer a comprehensive orientation about the university’s academics, programs, and services, as well as information on maintaining immigration status.

Student Health Insurance Plan

UIUC requires all students to have effective health insurance in order to offset the potential costs of medical care for the duration of their enrollment. In accordance with this policy, all eligible students are assessed the Student Health Insurance fee, which is automatically charged to each student’s tuition bill every semester. For fee details, please review the plan information.

Students who have health insurance that is comparable to what is offered under the UIUC plan and complies with the Affordable Care Act have the option to opt out of the Student Health Insurance coverage along with the associated fee.

To be considered comparable, the other insurance must meet the following conditions:

Is effective on or before the 1st day of the semester and extends through the remainder of the academic year.
It must have unlimited monetary benefit per sickness or injury.
It must have provisions for the cost of medical care (both emergent and non-emergent) received within a 50-mile radius of the UIUC campus.
It must cover repatriation and medical evacuation.
It must be compliant with the Affordable Care Act.
It must have inpatient and outpatient mental health benefits.
Students may request to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan by filling out the waiver form at si.illinois.edu.

Important Guidelines

We encourage students to be as prepared as possible when traveling. Students who have all required documents usually do not encounter issues at the U.S. Port of Entry. However, should an issue arise at the Port of Entry, students may contact ISSS at +1-217-333-1303 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST Monday through Friday, or the Dean of Students Office at +1-217-333-0050 outside of business hours.

Have a great trip, and we look forward to meeting you soon!