Admitted International Students

Visa & I-20 Process

1. 1. Step 1: Seek admission to Concordia University Chicago
   2. Step 2: Pay $200 International Enrollment Deposit
      1. Instructions on how to pay
   3. Step 3: Receive Access to the International Student Portal to request an I-20 (*if you worked with a recruitment agency for the visa process, please contact them for next steps as your process will be slightly different from here on).
   4. Step 5: Receive I-20 and pay I-901 SEVIS Fee
      1. How to pay your SEVIS I-901 Fee
   5. Step 6: Book visa Interview
      1. How to book your Interview!
      2. Once you book your visa interview, submit your appointment confirmation on your ISS portal to let us know!
   6. Step 7: Prep for Visa Interview
      1. Visa tips and Tricks!
   7. Step 8: Receive Visa!
      1. Please keep ISS posted on the progress of your visa interviews by submitting the visa interview results request on your ISS portal!
   8. Step 9: Pay Tuition Deposit
   9. Step 10: Enroll in Classes
   10. Step 11: Complete Pre-Arrival Tasks in ISS portal

Financial Guidelines

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services requires all students on F-1 or J-1 visas to verify that they have funds available to pay for educational, living and other expenses. Below are some guidelines for managing your finances when coming to study in the United States.

• If you are bringing immediate family (husband, wife or children), they are considered “dependents.” You’ll have to provide proof of funds for each of your dependents. For each individual dependent, you must show available funds of $3,000 for each year that you plan to live in the U.S.
• You can plan ahead for your tuition and expenses by working directly with your International Education Consultant.
• Concordia University Chicago requires all students on an F-1 or J-1 visa to have health insurance.

Financial Support Documents

Examples of sources for financial support and documentation are as follows:

• Personal funds
• Family funds
• Government, company, or organization sponsor

You may have more than one type of financial support. Added together, the amounts must meet or exceed the total amount required for proof of funding.

Proof-of-funding documents must be submitted to the University before your I-20 or DS-2019 document can be issued. 

Financial support documents:

• Must be written in English (or we must have the original language version plus a certified English translation stamped by the financial institution).
• Must display a signature and official seal and must be on letterhead from an official agency.
• Must clearly state the available account type and account balance (accounts must contain currently accessible cash).
• Must be either sent by fax or postal mail, or scanned and attached to an email to Grad.Admission@CUChicago.edu.
• Must be dated and current. Financial documents more than three months old will not be accepted.
• Must include the account holder’s name, date, account type, account balance and currency type.

Note: The designated school official (DSO) at the Center for International Student Services reserves the right to reject any financial documentation submitted for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance.

Funding source bank statements for two months are to be submitted in a proper format:

• Checking or savings accounts.
• Term, fixed, or time deposits. (The statement must specify a maturity date which has already passed.)
• Certificate of deposit (CD) funds, mutual funds or bond funds. (The statement must show the total amount currently available for withdrawal after penalty.)

Note: Credit cards, life insurance, retirement funds and pension funds are not acceptable sources of financial support.

If you’ve been awarded a scholarship, you may be eligible for a smaller required fund amount. Scholarship recipients should submit an official letter of sponsorship that details the following:

• Date of issue
• Dates or terms when your funding is provided
• If your dependents will be covered
• What majors you are permitted to study
• What costs will be covered and/or the amount of funding awarded

Bank Accounts

There are two primary types of bank accounts in the U.S.:

• Checking accounts (recommended) allow you to deposit and withdraw money frequently. Checking accounts are a great way to pay your monthly bills and cover day-to-day expenses.
• Savings accounts are appropriate for interest-earning, long-term deposits—a smart choice if you want to save money. A savings account usually requires a minimum balance and provides a modest interest rate of return.

The CISS office can provide guidance on opening a bank account.

You are required by law to have health insurance coverage from the day you arrive in the United States. As a student at Concordia-Chicago, you will be automatically enrolled in the University’s health insurance plan and the charge will be added to your student account.

As an international student at Concordia-Chicago, you must, by Illinois state law and University policy, be immunized with the following vaccinations, and provide proof of the immunizations:

• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
• Tetanus
• Tuberculosis

Note: You will be charged $75 if you fail to submit the immunization form within 30 days after the start of classes. Before you arrive, please complete the forms and send them to CISS@CUChicago.edu. Bring a second copy of the forms with you when you travel.

View University Health Insurance Plan

View University Immunization Requirements

What To Expect From Campus Life

Enjoy living in the safe, charming neighborhood of River Forest as a residential student. You can find everything you need just a few steps away, and you’ll be just 10 miles from the many opportunities offered in the world-class city of Chicago. From your residence hall, you can easily participate in campus activities such as athletics, the arts, intramurals and spiritual life. 

When it comes to dining, Concordia-Chicago offers four different meal plan options for residential students. The campus features a number of different dining locations, ranging in style from all-you-can-eat cafeterias to quick grab-and-go options. International students may live in Illinois or surrounding states (Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana) where Concordia University Chicago is located.

For answers to specific questions about living on campus, contact:

• housing@cuchicago.edu

Campus Life

Groups and Activities

Meal Plan Options

Mobile Phones

Most students choose to have a personal mobile phone to place calls, access the Internet and more. There are two basic types of mobile phone plans available in the U.S.

• Monthly plans with a contract
• Prepaid plans

Major U.S. Cell Phone Carriers

• Verizon Wireless
• AT&T
• Sprint
• T-Mobile
• Metro PCS

Due to the large number of providers and plans, it is recommended that you research several options before making a final decision.

Planning Your Travel to and Arrival in the U.S.

1. 1. Chicago Local Airports

      1. Local Airports - You may fly into either of the area's two major airports. For additional information about your arrival, visit their websites.
      2. O'Hare International Airport is on average 20 – 30 minutes from Concordia University Chicago, depending on traffic and the mode of transportation you choose.
      3. Midway International Airport is slightly farther and may take 40–50 minutes from the University, potentially longer depending on the mode of transportation you choose.

   2. Traveling from the Airport to Campus

      1. Getting to Campus - There are several options for getting from the airport to campus, depending on time, budget, and desired mode of transportation.
      2. American Coach Limousine 
         1. Provides chauffeured transportation services. 
         2. Go to American Coach Airport Transfersto calculate price and make a reservation. 
      3. Taxi & Rideshare  - Taxi service is available to city of Chicago and suburban destinations. Fares vary based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from O'Hare International Airport to the Evanston campus is $50-$75. All taxis should have a working meter to calculate the fare based on time and mileage. Some taxi companies have airport “flat” (fixed) rates. Be sure to ask.  
         1. 1. Taxi stands are situated at the lower-level curb front outside of baggage claim at each terminal. 
            2. Use the taxi stands to ensure you have a licensed taxi driver. Do not accept rides from drivers outside the taxi stand or on the departure level (second level) of the terminal roadways. 
            3. Rideshares through the Uber and Lyft applications are widely available from both airports. Uber and Lyft drivers are authorized to pick up riders at O'Hare and Midway airports.  Please open your app and follow the directions to the designated pickup zones.  Both airports offer 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi, so you can use this to order an Uber/Lyft ride!

   3. Car Rental 

      Some new students and their parents choose to rent cars.  Please check individual car company websites for pricing, driver's license requirements and additional information. 
      1. 1. 1. Rental car companies at O'Hare
            2. Rental car companies at Midway

   4. Public Transit 

      The following public transportation options are more economical but can be more complicated and will take longer to arrive. 
      1. 1. CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) Trains can be taken from O'Hare and Midway International Airport.
            1. The CTA blue line station is situated on the lower level of Terminal 2. You may walk to the station or use the Airport Transit System to get to the station.
            2. To get from O’Hare, students can take the blue line and get off at the Harlem Blue Line stop and make one transfer to the 90 Harlem bus right outside of the train stop, headed south bound. Then, you will get off the bus at Augusta St. The bus does not stop at every bus stop unless requested, so make sure you pull the cord on the bus for the correct stop.
            3. To get from Midway, students can walk 15 minutes to the orange line Midway stop. Students can ride the orange line to the Clark/Lake stop then switch to the green line headed to Harlem/lake. Students will then take the green line to Harlem, then switch to the 90 Harlem bus going north bound. The bus does not stop at every bus stop unless requested, so make sure you pull the cord on the bus for the correct stop.
            4. For best routes and guidance, use your map app and switch to “public transportation” directions.  

   5. Port of Entry

      1. 1. 1. Plan your Arrival
               1. 1. F-1 and J-1 students may not arrive to the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date listed on the F-1 I-20 or the J-1 DS-2019.  If you decide to come earlier than this, you will enter as a tourist and must leave the United States so that you may re-enter in the correct F-1 or J-1 status no more than 30 days before the start date listed on your immigration document.
                  2. Before you plan your arrival date and make travel plans, be sure that you are aware of your required international student orientation dates, program orientation date for graduate students, or orientation date for undergraduate students.

   6. Inspection at a U.S. Port of Entry - Upon inspection at a U.S. Port of Entry, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will ask for these documents:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Concordia University Chicago -issued I-20 or DS-2019;
                  2. A valid passport valid six-months into the future (students with passport countries listed here do not need a passport valid six-months into the future);
                  3. A valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp (Canadians do not obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa);
                  4. Your SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt.
                  5. Your letter of admission to Concordia University
                  6. Receipt of deposit payment to CUC
                  7. Keep these printed documents with you during your travel. Be prepared to present these documents to CBP upon arrival. If you are traveling by airplane, you will present these documents for inspection before you have access to your larger checked luggage so, please keep these documents in your carry-on items during your flight.

   2. Orientation & Check-In

      1. Orientation –
      2. Check in Request
         1. Request in ISS portal
         2. Visa Stamp
         3. I-94 Arrival Record - The I-94 is your official arrival record to record your entry to the U.S., your immigration (visa) category, and your approved length of stay. The OISS recommends that you retrieve and check your I-94 arrival record every time you re-enter the U.S. In most cases, I-94 entry records are only issued electronically. Many U.S. Ports of Entry no longer issue entry stamps as well.
            1. 1. Visit the CBP I-94 website to retrieve your I-94 form.
               2. Check your I-94 for accuracy including these details:
                  1. Admission date (the date your arrived to the U.S.)
                  2. Visa status
                  3. Personal information
               3. If you see a mistake on your I-94, please contact CUC ISS for assistance on how to correct it with CBP.

Orientation at Concordia-Chicago will help you prepare for the new experiences that await you. The topics are tailored to the needs of international students, and include the following

• Maintaining your non-immigrant status
• Cultural differences
• Motivation
• Changes from your home environment
• Language levels
• Class formats and expectations
• Housing
• Coping in a new cultural setting

Orientation also covers many basic details to prepare you for your time at Concordia-Chicago:

• Welcome and introduction to life at Concordia-Chicago
• How to find academic support on campus and work effectively with tutors
• How to use our instructional technology systems to access your individualized student portal, courses and the digital library
• How to get involved in student organizations
• Meal plans and dining options
• An assessment of your current knowledge of college-level or graduate-level writing, to help identify what skills you need to work on
• Guidance on how to pay your course fees, which are due before your first class date

You will need the following documents for orientation:

• Your I-20
• Your passport

After orientation on your first day, you must immediately contact the designated school official (DSO), who is based in the Center for International Student Services. The DSO will ask for your passport and Form I-94, and will inform the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) that you have started your program. Failure to report puts your visa at risk, so meeting your DSO on your first day is very important.

To complete your check-in, visit CISS and bring the following documents:

• Your passport
• Your visa
• Your I-20, DS-2019 or approval notice of current status
• Your I-94 card
• Your I-901 SEVIS fee receipt (F-1 and J-1 students only)

The CISS office will make a copy of these documents for your file, and will release the SEVIS hold on your student account within 24 business hours. This will allow you to register for classes. You must be registered as a full-time student.

For students with immigration documents sponsored by Concordia-Chicago, if you fail to check in within 30 days of the start of classes, your non-immigrant status will be terminated.

Considerations for Student Employment

Some international students at Concordia-Chicago are permitted to work, but finding a job is not always easy, so the university requires all students to bring enough money to study without working. Below are some basics about employment while studying at CUC.

• F-1 students are not allowed to work off campus during their first academic year, but they can accept on-campus employment (with some conditions). 
• After their first year, F-1 students can participate in two categories of off-campus employment: curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT). 
• CPT is any type of work-study, internship, cooperative education or other type of internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. CPT must integrate with an established curriculum. 
• OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to your major area of study. If you are eligible, you can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization either before or after completing your academic studies. If you are studying in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering or mathematics), you may be eligible to  receive a one-time 24-month OPT extension.