Reporting Changes

F-1/J-1 students are required to report changes in their personal or academic information to ISSS within 10 days of the change occurring.

Changes in your Contact Information

You should notify ISSS of any change in your contact information by updating the corresponding information in your MyIllinoisState account. Specific fields in MyIllinoisState correspond to specific fields in your SEVIS record. See the chart below for details. You must update the correct field in order for your information to be updated in SEVIS. Please read through our How to update your contact information guide for further details.

J-1 students must also notify ISSS of any updates they have made to their contact information in their MyIllinoisState account by emailing InternationalStudents@isltu.edu.

SEVIS	MyIllinoisState
US Address (physical)	Mailing Address
Foreign Address	International Address
Foreign Phone	Phone number WITH country code
US Phone	Preferred phone number WITHOUT country code
Email Address	Preferred email address

Changes in your Academic Program

Changing majors/minors

F-1/J-1 undergraduate students should update ISSS with any change in major or minor by submitting an Academic Update Request. If you are an undergraduate student, you should use this form for the following reasons:

F-1/J-1 Undergraduate Students

declaring a major
changing majors
adding a second major
declaring or changing minors
adding a second minor

*NOTE: Exchange students should NOT use this form

Starting a new degree program

F-1/J-1 students should update ISSS with any changes to degree program by completing the appropriate form.

Discontinuing One Degree and Starting Another

If you are a graduate student and are discontinuing your current degree program (i.e. you will NOT graduate from the program and will no longer pursue that degree) and starting a new degree program, you should submit an Academic Update Request.

Changing Degree Levels

If you are going to complete your current degree program and begin a new degree at another level, you should submit a Change of Level Request. For example, if you are changing from Bachelor's to Master's or Master's to Phd.

Starting Another Degree at the Same Level

If you are going to complete your current degree program and begin a new degree at the same level, you should submit a Change of Level Request. For example, if you are changing from a Master's in Business Administration to a Master's in Technology.

Extending your Program

F-1/J-1 students who will not complete their program by the program end date listed on their I-20/DS-2019 can request to extend. If you will not complete your program by the end date listed on your I-20/DS-2019, please visit the Extending Your Stay page for further details.

Leaving Before Completing your Program

F-1/J-1 students should always notify ISSS before discontinuing their program or withdrawing from the University. Please visit ISSS during walk-in hours to speak with an ISSS advisor, if you will be withdrawing from the University or leaving before completing your degree.

Transferring to Another School

F-1/J-1 students who will transfer to another US institution should visit the SEVIS Transfers page for further details. It may be possible for you to transfer your SEVIS record to the new institution.

Graduating

F-1/J-1 students who have applied for graduation should update ISSS by submitting a Graduation Form. After graduation, you have several options. Please visit the Completing Your Program page for details.

Life Event Changes

Adding Dependents

F-1/J-1 students wishing to add a spouse or child to their record as an F-2/J-2 dependent, should submit an Add Dependent Request.

F-1 students should also review the information on the Study in the States website about Bringing Dependents to the United States.
J-1 students should also review the information on the Department of State website About the J-2 Visa.

Lost Documents

Lost I-20 or DS-2019:

If your I-20 or DS-2019 has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you should submit a Replacement I-20 or DS-2019 Request.

Lost Passport:

If you have lost your passport or believe it was stolen, then you should file a police report with the police that have jurisdiction over the area where you think the loss/theft occurred. You will need to apply for a replacement passport through your home country's embassy or consulate located in the US. Some embassies will require a police report be filed prior to issuing a new passport. Once you have been re-issued your passport, please provide ISSS with a copy.

Lost Visa:

You cannot apply for a new visa from within the US. Therefore, you will need to apply for a new F-1/J-1 visa the next time you decide to travel internationally. You will not be allowed entry back into the United States as an F-1/J-1 until you have received your new visa. Once you have been issued your new F-1/J-1 visa, please provide ISSS with a copy.

Other Life Events

F-1/J-1 students who are experiencing other life events that may impact their visa status should visit ISSS during walk-in hours. Examples of such life events include:

You got married and have changed your name
You are changing your visa status
You have a serious medical condition that may impact your ability to pursue your degree program
Any other change you think may impact your status