Before You Start

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

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.

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Other links that international students find useful:

• Visa appointment and processing wait time
• Visa photo requirements
• Studying in the U.S.

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. 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.

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

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.