Before You Arrive | Office of International Engagement

Please review the Pre-Arrival Checklist below that corresponds to your status. You should have all of the items on the checklist completed prior to arriving on campus for International Orientation.

International Orientation is held the week before classes begin. See the Orientation Schedule for details. You should make your travel arrangements so that you arrive on campus in time to attend all mandatory events. There is no orientation event 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 ISSS on the second floor of Fell Hall.

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

Explore Before You Arrive

Getting Your Visa

Pre-Arrival Checklist

F/J Students

Complete the Intent to Enroll form found in the admissions portal.
Receive your I-20 document from ISU. Open an International Student Help Ticket 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.
Make travel arrangements to arrive on campus so that you will be able to attend International Student Orientation.
Log in to your MyIllinoisState account:
- 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 ISU.
- 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.
Pay your student bill. Payment is due before classes begin. See the Student Accounts website for billing due dates.
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.

Exchange Students

Complete the Intent to Enroll form found in the admissions portal.
Receive your DS-2019 document from ISU. Open an International Student Help Ticket if you have questions regarding your initial DS-2019 document.
Read through the Exchange Student Pre-Arrival Guide that contains all kinds of information about when to arrive, how to apply for your visa, course registration, and more.
Submit your course request form (ISSS Portal).
Pay the SEVIS fee.
Schedule your visa appointment at a U.S. consulate and obtain your exchange visitor visa.
Make travel arrangements to arrive on campus so that you will be able to attend International Student Orientation.
Log in to your MyIllinoisState acccount:
- 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 ISU.
- 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.
Pay your student bill. Payment is due before classes begin. See the Student Accounts website for billing due dates.
Bring your immigration documents with you in your carry-on luggage: passport, visa, DS-2019, SEVIS fee receipt.

J Scholars/Interns

Receive an email from ISSS that includes your ISU account information and important scholar resources. Read through the resources and review your ISU account information.
J-1 Scholars should review the Visiting Scholar Handbook for information regarding your program, visa, and life at ISU.
J-1 Student Interns should review the Student Intern Pre-Arrival Guide.
Receive your welcome letter and DS-2019 document from ISU. Email arwagon@ilstu.edu or call +1 (309) 438-5112 if you have questions regarding your initial DS-2019 document.
Pay the SEVIS fee
Schedule your visa appointment at a 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 the program start date listed on your DS-2019. If you will not be able to arrive in time for the start of your program, notify ISSS.
Make housing arrangements with assistance (if applicable) from your host faculty/department.
Activate your ULID.
Bring your immigration documents with you in your carry-on luggage: passport, visa, DS-2019, SEVIS fee receipt.
Email arwagon@ilstu.edu once you have arrived on campus so that your Scholar Orientation can be scheduled.

SEVIS Fee

Before applying for their student visa, students must first pay a SEVIS fee. SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, and it is the system that the government uses to keep track of international students and scholars. To pay the SEVIS fee, you must file and submit an I-901 Fee Remittance form online. When you have completed the form, be sure to print and retain the receipt. You will need to show this receipt when you attend your visa interview in person.

Choose one of the following options to make the SEVIS payment:

Online (recommended): Visit fmjfee.com to complete the form and pay with a credit card.
Western Union: If there is a Western Union location in your country, you may pay the fee in your local currency and file your I-901 form there. You must take your fee payment, completed I-901 form, and other immigration documents to the Western Union location. Learn more.

After paying the SEVIS fee, students will need to make an appointment to apply for a student visa.