Metadata
Title
Student Forms
Category
international
UUID
7fdbf217e2ef4912a10581b7248a3481
Source URL
https://isss.illinois.edu/students/student-forms/
Parent URL
https://isss.illinois.edu/
Crawl Time
2026-03-16T06:19:00+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Student Forms

Source: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/student-forms/ Parent: https://isss.illinois.edu/

ISSS has been granted permission from SEVP to send F-1 documents electronically and will send a signed I-20 via e-mail. DS-2019s must still be signed in ink and mailed, so we will work with J-1 students to send these documents by post.

Document processing times: Up to five business days after receiving a complete application, and if all information in the e-form is correct. Please note that any follow-up to the application will increase processing times further. Students are encouraged to plan ahead as much as possible, especially for time-sensitive requests. Students should submit applications well in advance of any deadlines to ensure that they are maintaining their immigration status.

Business days: The term business day means Monday through Friday, excluding legal public holidays specified in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Senate Academic Calendar, and any day which the university has announced as a gift day. Any e-form submissions received after 4:30 p.m. Central Time are deemed to be submitted on the next business day.

Expedite requests: Due to the high volume of applications our office receives, ISSS cannot expedite requests.

Can I get an update about my document? Once a complete application has been sent to ISSS, you should hear back within five business days, as stated above. Please DO NOT call the office or send an e-mail about your pending request, as the ISSS Front Desk will not be able to provide an update on the status of your document. If your form requires department/college approval but appears as ‘incomplete’ in iSTART, this means the department/college hasn’t submitted their section yet, please reach out to them directly for more information. If you believe you will fall out of F-1 or J-1 status due to a form not being processed in time, please contact ISSS.

Access iSTART

iSTART is the ISSS case management system for international students and scholars.  It is comprised of e-forms which allow students and scholars to make electronic requests to update their I-20 or DS-2019.  It also allows ISSS to ensure integrity in managing records and personal information for our student and scholar population.

If you are experiencing any issues accessing a specific e-form, or routing your form to your academic advisor, please e-mail isss@illinois.edu.

Tips for a Successful Application

Funding

Some requests in iSTART ask for students to verify funding sources for their expenses. For some requests, students may also be asked to submit proof of funding. Visit the Calculating Funding page for more information.

E-Forms

The following are the types of online services available for international students through the iSTART.

F-1 and J-1 Students

F-1 Students Only

J-1 Students Only

Other

Form Instructions

Change of Status: Dependent to Student

Use these instructions when filing a Change of Status to F-1 request to USCIS. Whilst the instructions specifically pertain to changing from a dependent status (F-2, H-4, etc.) they can be used for changing from any eligible status to F-1.

General Information

You may change your status if you are admitted to an academic program at the University of Illinois. You may change your status by application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or by travel and re-entry. In either case, you must receive approval for F-1 or J-1 student status prior to beginning any program of study.

Requirements to change to F-1 or J-1 status:

  1. You must be admitted to a full-time academic program at the University of Illinois.
  2. Except in certain specific instances, you must be prepared to take a full load of courses (12 hours) each fall and spring semester while you are\ enrolled at Illinois.
  3. You must have a Form DS-2019 issued by Illinois or your J-1 program sponsor (for J-1 status) or I-20 (for F-1 status), issued by Illinois.
  4. If you are in J-2 status and you are subject to a two-year home residency requirement, you are not eligible to request a change of status from\ USCIS. Instead, you must follow the travel and reentry procedure outlined in the last paragraph.

Apply within the United States (USCIS Application)

  1. Check, money order or online payment payable to the “Department of Homeland Security.” Check filing fee on the USCIS website.

  2. Completed Form I-539. Include I-539A Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, if you are\ including dependents in the application.

  3. Original Form I-20 for F-1 status (sign the bottom of page 1), or DS-2019 for J-1 status (sign the bottom of page 1). You must submit all parts\ of the I-20 or DS-2019 with your application.
  4. Printout of your I-94 from the official I-94 website or photocopy of your I-94 card (front and back).
  5. Photocopy of the identity and visa page from your passport, including passport expiration date.
  6. Copy of your I-901 SEVIS fee receipt. The SEVIS fee must be paid online at www.fmjfee.com.

  7. A letter from you to the USCIS (To Whom It May Concern) containing:

  8. Your address and telephone number

  9. Your request to change status
  10. A statement that you will be a full-time student and therefore you must change your status
  11. Your passport number and expiration date
  12. For J-1 status, include a statement to indicate that you understand that you and your dependent(s) may become subject to the two-\ year home residency requirement.
  13. Documentation of financial support. You must also include a Form I-134 Affidavit of Support if you receive funds from a personal sponsor\ who resides in the US. You should also include copies of your last four bank statements.
  14. Proof of valid, current nonimmigrant status.
  15. Copy of any I-797 Approval Notices changing or extending your status.

Please make an appointment with an advisor at ISSS if you have questions about your application.

Change Status by Travel and Re-Entry

If you go abroad and reenter the U.S. using the new Form DS-2019 or I-20, your approved re-entry will change your status. You must apply for a J-1 or F-1 entry visa while you are outside the U.S. Please be aware that it may take several days, and even weeks, for your visa application to be processed and that you will be required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee (www.fmjfee.com) well in advance of applying for your new entry visa. The U.S. embassies will not process any visa applications without verification that the SEVIS fee has been paid. Furthermore, it might be difficult, if not impossible, to get an entry visa outside of your country of citizenship or permanent residence. Finally, please note that you are never guaranteed to get a new entry visa.

Please be sure to stop by ISSS with your approval for change of status. We are required to keep current photocopies of your documents on file at ISSS.

Change of Status: Dependent to Student

Use these instructions when filing a Change of Status to F-2 request to USCIS. Whilst the instructions specifically pertain to changing from a student status (F-1) they can be used for changing from any eligible status to F-2.

General Information

If you have completed your studies, or you no longer wish to be a student, you may apply to change status from student (F-1 or J-1) to dependent (F-2 or J-2) so that you can remain in the United States with your spouse. Both you and your spouse must be in valid J-1 or F-1 status at the time that you request the change of status. You may change status through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or by leaving and reentering the United States. Both procedures are outlined below. If you are in J-1 status and you are subject to the two-year home residency requirement, you are not eligible to change status through the USCIS.

Apply within the United States (USCIS Application)

  1. Check, money order or online payment payable to the “Department of Homeland Security.” Check filing fee on the USCIS website.

  2. Completed Form I-539. Include I-539A Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status if including\ dependents.

  3. A newly-completed I-20 or DS-2019 listing you as the F-2 or J-2 dependent.

  4. A letter from you to the USCIS (To Whom It May Concern) containing:

  5. Your address and telephone number

  6. Your request to change status to F-2 or J-2, including a statement that you no longer want to be a full-time student and that you are\ requesting the change of status to remain in the U.S. with your spouse
  7. Passport numbers and expiration dates for both you and your spouse
  8. Signatures of both you and your spouse, with your printed names beneath each signature.
  9. Printout of your I-94 from the official I-94 website or photocopy of your I-94 card (front and back).
  10. Photocopies of your I-20(s) or DS-2019(s)
  11. Photocopy of the identity and visa page from your passport, including passport expiration date.
  12. Photocopies of your spouse’s I-20(s) or DS- 2019(s) and a photocopy of the front and back of your spouse’s Form I-94 (or printout of your\ spouse’s I-94 from the official I-94 website).
  13. Financial documentation. If you are supported by a personal sponsor, include a Form I-134 completed by your sponsor.
  14. A copy of your marriage certificate. If the certificate is not in English, you may translate it, make a written attestation that you have made an\ accurate translation to English, and have a Notary Public witness your signature to the attestation.
  15. Photocopy of any previously issued I-797 Approval Notice changing or extending your status.

Please make an appointment with an advisor at ISSS if you have questions about your application.

Change Status by Travel and Re-Entry

Your spouse should request an I-20 or DS-2019 with you listed as a dependent. You must apply for a J-2 or F-2 entry visa while you are outside of the United States. Your approved re-entry to the U.S. using the new visa and I-20 or DS-2019 will finalize the change of status. Please be aware that it may take several days, and even weeks, for your visa application to be processed. Furthermore, it might be difficult, if not impossible, to get an entry visa outside of your country of citizenship or permanent residence. Finally, there is never a guarantee that a new visa will be issued to you when you travel.

Change of Status: F-1 to J-1

Use these instructions when filing a Change of Status from F-1 to J-1.

General Information

You may change your status if you are admitted to an academic program at the University of Illinois. You may change your status by application to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or by travel and re-entry.

Requirements to change to J-1 status:

  1. You must be admitted to a full-time academic program at the University of Illinois.
  2. Except in certain specific instances, you must be prepared to take a full load of courses (12 hours) each fall and spring semester while you are\ enrolled at Illinois.
  3. You must have a Form DS-2019 issued by Illinois or your J-1 program sponsor.
  4. If you are subject to a two-year home residency requirement from a previous status, you are not eligible to request a change of status from the\ United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Instead, you must follow the travel and reentry procedure outlined in the last paragraph.

Apply within the United States (USCIS Application)

  1. Check, money order or online payment payable to the “Department of Homeland Security.” Check filing fee on the USCIS website.

  2. Completed Form I-539. Include I-539A Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, if you are\ including dependents in the application.

  3. Original Form DS-2019 (sign the bottom of page 1). You must submit all parts of the DS-2019 with your application.
  4. Printout of your I-94 from the official I-94 website or photocopy of your I-94 card (front and back).
  5. Photocopy of the identity and visa page from your passport, including passport expiration date.

  6. A letter from you to USCIS (To Whom It May Concern) containing:

  7. Your address and telephone number

  8. Your request to change status
  9. A statement of the reason you are required to change status (e.g., Your sponsor’s funding requires you to hold a J-1 visa.)
  10. Your passport number and expiration date
  11. A statement to indicate that you understand that you and your dependent(s) may become subject to the two-year home residency\ requirement.
  12. Documentation of financial support.
  13. Proof of valid, current nonimmigrant status.
  14. Copy of any I-797 Approval Notices changing or extending your status.
  15. Copy of your I-901 SEVIS fee receipt. The SEVIS fee must be paid online via the I-901 website.

Please make an appointment with an advisor at ISSS if you have questions about your application.

Change of Status by Travel and Re-Entry

If you go abroad and reenter the U.S. using the new Form DS-2019, your approved re-entry will change your status. You must apply for a J-1 entry visa while you are outside the U.S. Please be aware that it may take several days, and even weeks, for your visa application to be processed and that you will be required to pay the SEVIS fee well in advance of applying for your new entry visa. The U.S. embassies will not process any visa applications without verification that the SEVIS fee has been paid. Furthermore, it might be difficult, if not impossible, to get an entry visa outside of your country of citizenship or permanent residence. Finally, please note that you are never guaranteed to get a new entry visa.

Please be sure to stop by ISSS with your approval for change of status. We are required to keep current photocopies of your documents on file at ISSS.