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Before You Arrive

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!

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 InternationalAdmissions@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.
  • Complete the Immigration Basics form to acknowledge that you understand the basics of how to maintain your student visa status.
  • 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 second floor of Fell Hall.
  • Log in to your MyIlliniosState 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 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.
  • 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.
2019-07-24T15:12:10.489-05:00 2019