F-1/J-1 students must notify ISSS within 10 days of any change in address. Current students should notify ISSS by updating the corresponding address in their MyIllinoisState account (see Address section below). You must update the correct field in order for your information to be updated correctly in SEVIS. Please see the IT Help article on How to Update Your Personal Contact Information for general information on this section of your My account.
Students on OPT: Please visit here for full details on how to report contact information and employment changes while on OPT/STEM.
Students on STEM Extension: Please visit here for full details on how to report contact information and employment changes while on STEM Extension.
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F-1/J-1 undergraduate students who change majors or add a minor will automatically have their SEVIS record updated with the new information once it has been updated in their university account.
F-1/J-1 students should update ISSS with any changes to degree program by completing the appropriate form.
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 in the ISSS Portal.
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 in the ISSS Portal. For example, if you are changing from Bachelor's to Master's or Master's to Phd.
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 in the ISSS Portal. For example, if you are changing from a Master's in Business Administration to a Master's in Technology.
If you are are Pathway student and will progress from your pathway program into your degree program, you should submit a Change of Level Request in the ISSS Portal. You will be notified via email that you must also attend a Progression Orientation meeting. During the meeting, ISSS will explain the Change of Level process and how to submit the request.
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.
F-1/J-1 students should always notify ISSS before discontinuing their program or withdrawing from the University. Please meet with your ISSS Advisor, if you will be withdrawing from the University or leaving before completing your degree.
F-1 students who will be taking a leave of absence or withdrawing from the University will need to submit a Record Termination Request in the ISSS Portal. You should submit this form and have your SEVIS record terminated before you withdraw/drop your classes. Besides notifying ISSS, you should also contact your Academic Advisor and the University Registrar.
International students who were previously enrolled and are returning to ISU to complete their degree program after an absence should visit our Returning Students page for full details on how to receive your new I-20 document prior to your return.
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.
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.
F-1/J-1 students should provide ISSS with their most updated immigration documents for both themselves as well as any F-2/J-2 dependents.
The current immigration documents ISSS has on file for you can be found either in your ISSS Portal user profile or in your ISSS Check-In Request (found under My Records in your ISSS Portal). NOTE: ISSS will be phasing out the use of the user profile for document storage starting May 2022.
To update your immigration documents, please submit an Immigration Documents Update request in the ISSS Portal.
Common reasons for submitting this request include:
- You have renewed your passport
- You have renewed your visa
- You have traveled and re-entered the U.S. (new I-94 issued upon each arrival)
- Your F-2/J-2 dependents have arrived in the U.S.
F-1/J-1 students who need to update the finances listed on their I-20/DS-2019 should submit a Financial Information Update in the ISSS Portal. As part of the request, you must provide proof that you can pay for yourself and any dependent(s) for the remainder of your program or at least one academic year (whichever is shorter).
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 in the ISSS Portal.
F-1/J-1 students who have changed their legal name must first update their passport to reflect the name change. Once you have updated your passport, submit a Name Change Request in the ISSS Portal to have your SEVIS record updated and a new I-20/DS-2019 printed.
Besides updating your name on your passport and I-20/DS-2019, you may also need to update your new legal name with various government agencies and institutions like the Social Security Agency and the Department of Motor Vehicles, your U.S. bank and the postal service. This can be a vary complex process. One online resource for updating this information in the state of Illinois is https://newlastname.org/il-illinois/.
If you have any pending requests with USCIS, you should also consult with an Immigration Attorney about your name change or contact USCIS Customer Service for guidance.
Current international students who change visa status should notify ISSS by emailing internationalstudents@ilstu.edu or visiting their ISSS Advisor during walk-in hours. You will need to provide proof of your new status:
If you were previously F-1 and have changed your status prior to completing your degree program, you will need to submit a Record Termination Request in the ISSS Portal.
If your I-20 or DS-2019 has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you should submit a Reprint I-20/DS-2019 Request in the ISSS Portal.
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.
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.
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: