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Before You Arrive

Admitted students will not receive any of the important pre-arrival information from ISSS until you have completed the Intent to Enroll form. Please complete the form as soon as possible. Please also review the Pre-Arrival Checklist below. You should have all of the items on the checklist completed prior to arriving on campus for International Orientation.

International Orientation for all Fall 2017 admits will be held on August 15-16. This event is mandatory for all international students. You should make your travel arrangements so that you arrive on campus by August 14 at the latest. ISSS does not hold an Orientation for summer admits. If you are an international student beginning in the summer semester, you should check-in with ISSS shortly after arriving on campus by visiting the OISP main office located at 236 Fell Hall.

We look forward to meeting you soon. Welcome to Illinois State and the Global Redbirds family!

Pre-Arrival Checklist

  • F/J Students
  • Exchange Students
  • J Scholars/Interns
  • Complete the Intent to Enroll Form. You will not receive any of the important pre-arrival information from ISSS until you complete this form.
  • Receive your I-20 document from ISU. Email Admissions@ilstu.edu or call International Admissions Processing at +1 (309) 438-8087, if you have questions regarding your initial I-20 document.
  • Pay the SEVIS fee.
  • Schedule your visa appointment at the U.S. consulate and obtain your student visa.
  • Watch for emails from your International Orientation Team (IOT) Leader. This person is a current ISU student who will be helping you throughout the Orientation process. 
    Summer admits only: You will not be assigned an IOT Leader, but will receive important information directly from ISSS.
  • Connect to an Ambassador from your home country or future program of study.
  • Make travel arrangements to arrive on campus so that you will be able to attend International Student Orientation.
    Summer admits only: you should arrive on campus before the first day of summer classes and check-in with ISSS shortly after arriving by visiting the OISP main office at 236 Fell Hall.
  • Log in to your Student Service Center:
    • Make sure you know your ULID and password. If you have forgotten it, you can reset your password.
    • Update your email address, if it has changed since you applied to Illinois State.
    • Check your To-Do Lists to see if there is anything left for you to complete for the admissions process.
  • Make housing arrangements.
  • Submit immunization records online to Student Health Services.
  • Bring your immigration documents with you in your carry-on luggage: Passport, visa, I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students), SEVIS fee receipt.
  • Complete the Intent to Enroll Form. You will not receive any of the important pre-arrival information from ISSS until you complete this form.
  • Receive your DS-2019 document from ISU. Email InternationalStudents@IllinoisState.edu or call ISSS at +1 (309) 438-7901 if you have questions regarding your initial DS-2019 document.
  • Pay the SEVIS fee.
  • Schedule your visa appointment at the U.S. consulate and obtain your exchange visitor visa.
  • Watch for emails from your International Orientation Team (IOT) Leader. This person is a current ISU student who will be helping you throughout the Orientation process.
  • Connect to an Ambassador from your home country or future program of study.
  • Make travel arrangements to arrive on campus so that you will be able to attend International Student Orientation.
  • Log in to your Student Service Center:
    • Make sure you know your ULID and password. If you have forgotten it, you can reset your password.
    • Update your email address if it has changed since you applied to Illinois State.
    • Check your To-Do Lists to see if there is anything left for you to complete for the admissions process.
  • Make housing arrangements.
  • Submit immunization records online to Student Health Services.
  • Bring your immigration documents with you in your carry-on luggage: Passport, visa, DS-2019, SEVIS fee receipt.
  • Receive your welcome letter, scholar handbook, and ISU account information via email. Be sure to activate your ULID (University log-in ID).
  • Read the full scholar handbook for information regarding your program, visa, and life at ISU.
  • Receive your DS-2019 document from ISU. Email InternationalStudents@IllinoisState.edu or call ISSS at +1 (309) 438-7901 if you have questions regarding your initial DS-2019 document.
  • Pay the SEVIS fee.
  • Schedule your visa appointment at the U.S. consulate and obtain your exchange visitor visa.
  • Make travel arrangements to arrive on campus so that you will be able to start your program on time based on the program start date on your DS-2019.
  • Make housing arrangements.
  • Watch for emails from your International Advisor who will schedule your mandatory on campus orientation.
  • Bring your immigration documents with you in your carry-on luggage: Passport, visa, DS-2019, SEVIS fee receipt.
2017-06-14T11:57:23.892-05:00 2017