GENERAL INFORMATION

Most units on campus have a designated individual who serves as that unit's liaison or "visa contact person" with the ISSS office. The contact person maintains information relating to visa matters, contacts ISSS for information and initiates many procedures such as J-1 and H-1 procurement, extensions, changes, and green cards, and usually assists with preparation of the paperwork required for various procedures.

It is most often the contact person who consults ISSS when an international person is being considered for a position. Although we will discuss procedures and options with faculty members and international visitors, a particular procedure can only be initiated by the contact person with authorization of the department head. 

A few units have never dealt with visa issues and have no designated contact person. In some larger units visa work is delegated to more than one person, but we wish to retain one individual as our contact. This person will be in our e-mail group and will receive important updates and other notices relating to immigration issues.

The ISSS office needs to be notified if a new contact person is designated for your unit.

Basic Terms and Concepts
Immigration Statuses at University of Illinois
J-1 vs H-1
USCIS Fees
Hiring Guidelines for International Employees
Hosting and Employing Internationals
Which Status is Appropriate for your International Visitor/Employee?
Payments to Foreign Nationals (external link)
I-9s and Appointments
Important reminders for Contact People


INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO H-1B PROCESSING

Which H-1B Request Form should I use?
General H-1B process and timeline

INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO J-1 PROCESSING

Enter eScholar system (Department contacts only- login required)
eScholar User Manual for Department Contacts
eScholar Instructions for International Visitors
Departmental Procedures for J-1 status
J-1 Processing Flowchart (pdf)
Student Interns (Undergraduate Scholars)
Trainees
J-1 SEVIS Alert Response Form

INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO GREEN CARD PROCESSING

University of Illinois Green Card Policies 
Green Card Processing
Evidence for Outstanding Classification