Before You Start

Soon you’ll be at UIC in Chicago, Illinois. Before you arrive, complete the steps below to avoid common issues or delays for international students. If you have any questions, contact us and we’ll be happy to help!

Contact your Enrollment Advisor to discuss all your required steps and ensure you have all required paperwork.

Africa

Africa

China

China

Latin America

Latin America

Middle East

Middle East

North America

North America

North Asia

North Asia

Russia / Central Asia / Eastern Europe

Russia / Central Asia / Eastern Europe

South Asia

South Asia

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia

UK and Western Europe

UK and Western Europe

Abbie

Abbie (North Asia excluding Korea)

+852 8481 0532

Whatsapp: +852 8481 0532

Email Abbie
Ajith

Ajith (India)

+91-971-722-2408

Whatsapp: +91-971-722-2408

Skype: ajitks10

Email Ajith
Alexis

Alexis (North America)

+1 239-744-9468

Whatsapp: +1 239-744-9468

Wechat: alexis0426

Email Alexis
Alice

Alice (Northwest)

+1-857-315-8730

Whatsapp: +1-857-315-8730

Wechat: aliceqinus

Email Alice
Alsu

Alsu (Middle East)

+7 939 346 09 59

Whatsapp: +7 939 346 09 59

Email Alsu
Bibiane

Bibiane (Korea)

+82-10-7711-6538

Whatsapp: +82-10-7711-6538

Email Bibiane
Chau

Chau (Vietnam)

+84-908-792-892

Whatsapp: +84-908-792-892

Skype: diemchau.dt

Email Chau
Chau Luu

Chau Luu (Vietnam)

+84 962 442 193

Whatsapp: +84 962 442 193

Skype: live:chau.luuquynh

Email Chau Luu
Chris

Chris (Southwest)

+1-508-948-7542

Whatsapp: +1-508-948-7542

Wechat: chris040594

Email Chris
Daniyal

Daniyal (Pakistan)

+92 310 588 8648

Whatsapp: +92 310 588 8648

Email Daniyal
Doris

Doris (South China)

+86-150-1870-6751

QQ: 2282183545

Email Doris
Ekta

Ekta (India)

+91-965-001-0409

Whatsapp: +91-965-001-0409

Skype: ekta.aneja05

Email Ekta
Isha

Isha (India)

+91 9953550789

Whatsapp: +91 9953550789

Email Isha
Jane

Jane (West China)

+86.159.2876.6884

QQ: 713070180

Email Jane
Laxmi

Laxmi (India)

+91 98183 96406

Whatsapp: +91 98183 96406

Email Laxmi
Lisha

Lisha (North China)

+86-183-1016-8200

QQ: 18310168200

Email Lisha
Marianna

Marianna

+34-692-46-41-16

Whatsapp: +34-692-46-41-16

Skype: marianna.zubenko

Email Marianna
Ngoc Hoang

Ngoc Hoang (Vietnam)

+84 382 027 922

Whatsapp: +84 382 027 922

Skype: live:bichngoc.ufm

Email Ngoc Hoang
Nikita

Nikita (India)

+91 9310587075

Whatsapp: +91 9310587075

Email Nikita
Rakesh

Rakesh (India)

+91 9096507300

Whatsapp: +91 9096507300

Email Rakesh
Sahil

Sahil (India)

+91- 9811718710

Whatsapp: +91- 9811718710

Email Sahil
Sakshi

Sakshi (India)

+91-995-351-0160

Whatsapp: +91-995-351-0160

Skype: arorasakshi187

Email Sakshi
Samah

Samah (Middle East)

+971 58 831 8521

Whatsapp: +971 58 831 8521

Email Samah
Sanjukta

Sanjukta (North America)

+91-9820162776

Whatsapp: +91-9820162776

Email Sanjukta
Saranya

Saranya

+66-96-982-0007

Whatsapp: +66-96-982-0007

Skype: awesome.saranya

Email Saranya
Sofya

Sofya (North America)

+1 347 399 35 72

Whatsapp: +1 347 399 35 72

Email Sofya
Solayide Adenuga

Solayide Adenuga (Africa)

+234.806.662.9088

Whatsapp: +234.806.662.9088

Email Solayide Adenuga
Sonam

Sonam

+91-999-647-1494

Whatsapp: +91-895-004-9050

Skype: sonam.parashar3

Email Sonam
Taha

Taha (Pakistan)

+92-307-333-6878

Whatsapp: +92-307-333-6878

Skype: tshahid29

Email Taha
Tiffany Chan

Tiffany Chan (North Asia excluding Korea)

+886 903006063

Whatsapp: +852 9222 3579

Email Tiffany Chan
Valeria

Valeria (Latin America)

+57 310 7880364

Whatsapp: +57 310 7880364

Email Valeria
Vicky

Vicky (North China)

+86-135-2182-7910

Wechat: vickychen7910

Email Vicky
Viraja

Viraja (South & West India)

+91 7028090894

Whatsapp: +91 7028090894

Skype: +91 7028090894

Email Viraja
After you receive the electronic copy of your I-20, complete the following steps before booking your visa appointment:
  1. Schedule a free visa information and preparation session with your personal Enrollment Advisor.
  2. Check that the details on your I-20 are correct (including your date of birth) and make sure your name is the same as it appears on your passport.
  3. Prepare the documents you will need to take to the embassy when attending your visa interview.
After you complete the above steps, you should apply for your visa as soon as possible. It requires an interview with the U.S. Embassy and can sometimes take several weeks to schedule.
    1. Complete your Visa Application.
    2. Pay your I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
    3. Visit usembassy.gov to learn more about scheduling your visa appointment, what to expect when you arrive and the documentation you need to take with you.
    4. Notify your enrollment advisor of the date and embassy location of your visa appointment.
    5. Watch these videos to help you apply for your visa and prepare for your interview:

How to Apply for Your F-1 Student Visa

Other links that international students find useful:

We are so excited for you to join us on campus! To ensure a smooth transition to your new home, plan to arrive on or before your official move-in day. Airport pickup is available at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to campus on our scheduled arrival day only.

Once you book your flights, you must fill out the student arrival form. If your family is joining you, you must also complete the family arrival form.

​​For program dates, click here.

​​For discounted international travel, click here

Make your payment in full two weeks before you arrive to avoid enrollment delays and ensure an on-time start.

Follow the instructions below to submit payment for tuition and fees:

    1. Flywire by Peer Transfer: Please visit UIC’s flywire portal to complete the transfer process. Please note that you cannot use a US credit card or US bank account.
For student loan information, contact:

All first-year undergraduate students are guaranteed apartment-style accommodations as part of the program. Living in Program-Managed housing is required for the length of your UIC Global Program.

-Refer to the Housing Costs page for the most current housing costs.
-Please note that while housing is guaranteed, we cannot promise we will be able to match each student with their preferred housing option.
-All housing options are fully furnished with a kitchen and include cable/Wi-Fi access and in-building laundry.

You will need to complete and submit the following form before your arrival:

You will need to complete and submit the following form before your arrival:

  • Health and Immunization Form (both undergraduate and graduate students)
    Your immunization forms must be received before you arrive on campus! You are required to submit all immunization records through Med+Proctor. You will need to sign up for an account using your UIC student email address. You will also need to make sure your documents are translated into English if they are in your first language. Find important additional information on how to submit your health and immunization forms here.
  • FERPA Disclosure Form
All incoming undergraduate students are required to take placement exams* prior to registration.

We strongly encourage UIC Global students to take these placement exams before arriving on campus. Although students will have the opportunity to complete exams during orientation, it is recommended that students spend that time learning about the campus, enjoying planned activities, and making new friends.

Depending on your program and major, you may have several tests to complete in order to determine the correct course placement at UIC. Please follow the steps below to access and complete all necessary placement exams prior to arrival:

Step 1: Activate Your UIC Student Portal
Step 2: Access placement exams in your UIC Student Portal.
Step 3: Complete all placement exams in your UIC Student Portal. Please use your UIC Orientation Blackboard course to verify your exams.
Please visit our Testing FAQs page for additional information on completing your placement exams. You can also explore these placement test tips from our UIC Global tutors.

Important Disclaimers:

  • International Direct Students: The results of the Academic English writing exam will determine your placement in English composition or English language classes.
  • Accelerator Students: Upon arrival at UIC, you will take an English language proficiency test. Your placement in English composition or English language classes will depend upon your proficiency test results. You may also be required to take additional English language courses as part of a UIC Global Accelerator program or enroll in full-time English language study at UIC.

Contact uicglobalhelpdesk@uicglobal.org with questions or concerns.

*Applies to undergraduate students only

All incoming UIC Global students are required to submit their immigration documents prior to enrolling in classes.

You must complete the following items before being permitted to begin your classes at UIC:

  • Attend mandatory orientation with UIC Global (date and time are listed in your UIC Global acceptance letter)
  • Submit completed Immunization Form to UIC Global (this must be completed, signed, and stamped by your medical doctor)
  • Submit proof of health insurance to UIC Global

Bring the following documents to the UIC Global orientation:

  • Original valid passport
  • Original I-20 Form(s)
  • F-1 visa (stamped on your passport)/F-2 visa (for dependents)
  • Copy of your Form I-94 (to print your Form I-94, please visit i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

Note: If you have not submitted original financial documents (no photocopies) before your I-20 was issued, you will be required to bring them with you when you attend the UIC Global orientation.

There are many things to consider when preparing for university, let alone moving to a new country! To make your transition to the US easier, we’ve put together a list of everyday necessities.

We’ve partnered with campusSIMS to help connect you with mobile phone service. Get your US phone number in your home country and have service that’s ready to use as soon as you land. Click here to get your free SIM card.

campusSIMS helps international students get connected with mobile phone service in the US. Through campusSIMS’ exclusive partner Mint Mobile, students can sign up and get their US phone number while in their home country, and have mobile phone service ready to use as soon as they land.

Students can get low-cost, reliable mobile phone service starting at as low as $15 per month that includes:

  • A free SIM card
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • High speed data
  • Nationwide coverage on the fastest, most advanced network

For more information, visit campussims.com.

Get Student Loans

Mpower Financing and Prodigy Finance, in collaboration with Shorelight, provide flexible student loan plans for international students pursuing degrees at eligible US colleges and universities without the requirements of a cosigner, collateral, or US credit history. They also offer fixed-rate loans up to $100,000 with 1.5% in interest rate discounts.

Easy Flight Bookings and Travel Discounts

StudentUniverse in collaboration with Shorelight, provides exclusive student-only discounts on flights around the world. StudentUniverse has exclusive deals with airlines to get the lowest-possible airfare for international students. If your travel plans change, don’t worry – all purchases have 24-hour risk-free cancellation.

StudentUniverse can be used to book not only your flight to campus, but also provides the best deals for Spring break and other travel. Use it to explore new cities like San Francisco or NYC, or book through them to go hiking in Yosemite National Park, or even when you fly home to visit family.

This program helps international students apply for remote internships and gain real-life work experience to boost their resumes.

  • Certificates and training: Attend online professional bootcamps before your virtual internship starts. Gain hands-on experience once you officially begin by contributing to projects alongside industry experts. If you are interested in certifications, Career Premium now offers unlimited access to training courses that lead to certification in Amazon Web Services, Java, Microsoft Azure, and Python, among many other in-demand skills.
  • Coaching and mentorship: Receive direct guidance from career coaches and industry experts on career exploration, skill training, and professional development.
  • Applying: Work on real-life projects for leading employers and build your portfolio. We work with more than 12,000 multinational companies that have unique projects for you to leverage your new skills, experience, and professional network to land your dream job.

“The tutors are resourceful, and they really helped me while I was applying for internships. I certainly believe I will find a job after graduation.”—Shelley, hired at Tesla

Important Dates*

Application Deadline:

December 11, 2023

I-20 Transfer Deadline:

December 20, 2023

Payment Deadline:

December 19, 2023

Move-in Date:

January 2, 2024

*Dates can vary by graduate degree.

Please visit your program’s page on UIC.edu for detailed information.