Before You Start

Welcome to UIS Global

Soon you will be on the vibrant UIS campus in Springfield, Illinois. Before you arrive, complete the steps below to avoid common issues or delays for international students.
Our dedicated personal advisors make sure all your questions are answered and ensure you have a smooth transition to the university.

Before you start on any of the steps below, contact your local personal advisor. Simply select your region of the world below, and send your advisor an email, Skype, WhatsApp, or WeChat message. We look forward to meeting you very soon!

Africa

Africa

China

China

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
Ainara Gainedenova

Ainara Gainedenova

+7 (778) 887 17 53

WhatsApp: +7 (778) 887 17 53

Email Ainara Gainedenova
Ajith

Ajith (India)

+91-971-722-2408

WhatsApp: +91-971-722-2408

Skype: ajitks10

Email Ajith
Alice

Alice (Northwest)

+1-857-315-8730

WhatsApp: +1-857-315-8730

Wechat: aliceqinus

Email Alice
Alsu Samatova

Alsu Samatova

+7 939 346 09 59

WhatsApp: +7 939 346 09 59

Email Alsu Samatova
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
Hoang

Hoang (Vietnam)

+84-937-225-295

WhatsApp: +84-937-225-295

Skype: hoangvtb1983

Email Hoang
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
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
Saranya (Excluding Vietnam)

Saranya (Excluding Vietnam)

+66-96-982-0007

WhatsApp: +66-96-982-0007

Skype: awesome.saranya

Email Saranya (Excluding Vietnam)
Solayide Adenuga

Solayide Adenuga (Africa)

+234.806.662.9088

WhatsApp: +234.806.662.9088

Email Solayide Adenuga
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
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:

  • Schedule a free visa information and preparation session with your personal Enrollment Advisor.
  • 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.
  • 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 US 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 personal Enrollment Advisor of the date and embassy 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

Visa Interview Preparation for Students

All students are required to secure their own housing before arrival. On and off campus options are available to all students.

Options available here: 

Instructions on how to apply are available here: 

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

  • Immunization Requirement: Complete this mandatory health and immunization requirement prior to your arrival and bring it with you to campus.
  • Enter your visa information on iStart. This must be completed in order to register for classes.
Pay in full two weeks before you arrive to avoid enrollment delays.

  • Flywire by Peer Transfer: Please visit UIS Global’s Flywire portal to complete the transfer process. Please note that you cannot use a US credit card or US bank account to make your payment.
For student loan information, contact:

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.

International Student Loans

Embarking on your educational journey in the United States shouldn’t come with the roadblock of finding a co-signer for financial aid. Shorelight recognizes this hurdle and has proactively partnered with premier financing organizations such as Fly Finance, MPower Financing, and Prodigy Finance. This strategic collaboration eliminates the traditional barriers international students face, such as the need for a co-signer, collateral, or an established US credit history, streamlining your path to securing educational funding.

Find the right loan organization for you on Shorelight.com.

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.

Center for Academic Success

A website with access to virtual tutors, career advisors, and online resources to help you throughout your university studies

Do you need to improve your academic skills or study habits? Do you need help preparing for an exam or presentation? Are you confused about CPT/OPT or don’t even know what career field is best for you? Shorelight’s Center for Academic Success has friendly online academic skills and subject area tutors along with expert career advisors to help you with these questions and many more!

Maybe you would also enjoy completing a short eLearning workshop at your own pace? Those are available, too, on topics ranging from Academic Integrity to How to Make American Friends—and everything in between! If you’re short on time, try one of the live or recorded webinars.

Give your learning journey the support you need by signing up for a free account today! Here’s how:

1. Click here or scan the QR code to find our Home page.

2. Click the orange “Sign up now” button to request access.

3. On the sign up form, type your given name and family name as you are registered at your university.

4. Type any email address (personal or university, etc.). You will need to access your email to verify your address.

5. Create a password with at least one special character and 6-50 characters total.

6. Type your password again. Write it down or save it in your browser.

7. Type the full name of your university, not just the abbreviation. Your status must be checked.

8. Check the box to accept the Terms & Conditions (feel free to read those first).

9. Optional: Sign up for our newsletter by checking the last box.

10. Click the large orange button that says, “Start your learning journey.”

11. You’ll be asked to verify your email address next. In your inbox, you’ll see two emails from us. Open them and click the link to verify your email address. Check your spam folder if you don’t see the two emails.

12. You’ll receive an email within two business days to let you know that your account is approved (or if not, how to fix the problem).

13. Return to the Home page linked above (or in the email) to log in when your account access has been approved.

If you encounter any technical trouble, just use the Live Chat button at the bottom of our Home page.

Career Premium

Career Premium 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

Payment Deadline

May 20, 2024

Move-in Date

June 3, 2024