After You're Admitted

Confirm your attendance

Confirm your attendance by paying your enrollment deposit fee. A non-refundable enrollment deposit fee (EDF) of $150 will be required for all new international students prior to course registration. Additionally, the EDF will be required before the form I-20 documents can be issued. Students will only pay the enrollment deposit fee one time. Any student enrolling in multiple or additional programs, or needing to defer to a future semester, will not have to pay a subsequent enrollment deposit fee.

Submit Enrollment Deposit Fee

Receive your immigration documents from Illinois State

Students seeking F-1 and J-1 student visas will need to submit the Declaration of Finances form before their Immigration Documents can be issued.

Submit Declaration of Finances

Pay the SEVIS fee

All F-1 and J-1 students and scholars are required to pay the one-time SEVIS fee.

Important: Print and retain the receipt. You will need to show this receipt when you attend your visa interview.

Pay SEVIS fee

Obtain your visa

Schedule your visa interview at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Be prepared to take the following documents to your visa appointment:

• Passport
• Original I-20 or DS-2019
• Official acceptance letter
• Receipt for payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee
• Proof of financial support

Additional visa assistance

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s  Study in the States
• Your Education Counselor

Schedule your visa interview

Complete your pre-arrival modules

The International Student Orientation Team will be using the ISSS Student Portal as a platform to deliver important pre-arrival information as you prepare to come to United States.

• Housing arrangements
• Travel arrangements
• Student health care
• Arrival assistance

Please log-in to the portal to begin accessing these modules. Additionally, you are encouraged to attend a series of Pre-Arrival Zoom Webinars offered throughout the summer. These webinars, presented by staff from different offices and units throughout the institution, are intended to complement the pre-arrival modules and provide you with important information about life at ISU.

Submit your immunization records

All university students in Illinois are required by law to submit their immunization records in English. International students are also required to have a Tuberculosis Screening within 10 days of their arrival on campus. Tuberculosis testing administered outside of the United States is not valid. Additionally, all international students will be enrolled in university health insurance. This will be included in your university fees.

View immunization requirements and deadlines

Attend Orientation

Orientation activities generally begin the week before classes. You will receive a schedule leading up to Orientation. It is important to arrive 1-3 days before Orientation. Orientation is mandatory for international students.