UIC Student Exchange

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Beginning the UIC Exchange application process

The application process for incoming UIC Exchange students is a collaborative effort between the UIC Study Abroad Office, the Office of International Services, UIC Admissions, and your host academic departments. Your home institution must have a valid exchange agreement with UIC in order to begin the nomination and application process.

Nomination

To begin the application process, an authorized coordinator at your home institution must submit a UIC Exchange Student Nomination Form on your behalf. You may not submit the nomination form yourself as UIC does not accept self-nominations for exchange.

Application Process and Deadlines

Once SAO receives your completed nomination, we will provide you and your home institution with detailed application instructions and a link to the UIC application.

Nominations and applications must be received by the following deadlines to be considered for the corresponding study terms. Applications received by the Early Action Deadline will receive advanced notification of admission and priority consideration for on-campus housing and immigration document processing.

At UIC you will study alongside fellow UIC students in lectures, classes, discussion groups, labs, and studios. Instruction is in English and regular attendance and active participation is expected by faculty.

Program length:

The UIC academic calendar is semester-based, with the fall semester from August to December and the spring semester from January to May. UIC’s two summer sessions are from May to June and June to August. Exchange students may apply for a single semester, or for a full academic year.

Learning agreement:

During the application process, you will need to outline your intended field of study and a list of desired courses in a “Learning Agreement” and provide this to SAO with your application. You should work with your home institution to review the UIC course catalog to select appropriate courses. SAO recommends flexibility when selecting courses and to prepare your Learning Agreement with several course options that are acceptable by your home institution. Not all courses listed in the UIC course catalog will be offered during your chosen term of study, and some courses may be full by the time you arrive on campus and are able to register, so it is important to have back-up options.

Course considerations:

While studying at UIC, you should take 75% of your courses in the field of study indicated on your application. Additional courses outside your intended field of study are allowed at the discretion of your home institution. Please see the J-1 Exchange Visitor Student enrollment requirements page for additional course selection considerations.

General questions about the UIC Exchange application process may be directed to SAO at sao@uic.edu. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to UIC in the near future!

• UIC Course Catalog 
• J-1 EV Student enrollment requirements 
• UIC Academic Calendar

Financial planning plays a big role in a successful exchange experience. It is important that you understand your responsibilities regarding tuition and fee payment, how to view and pay your UIC student account, how to prepare your finances for study abroad, and how to budget and bank in the U.S.

Tuition

You will continue to pay tuition to your home institution and are not charged UIC tuition during your time in the UIC Exchange Program. Please consult your home institution coordinator for details on how to pay your tuition bill while you are in Chicago.

Fees

You will be charged some UIC fees as outlined in the appendix of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between your home school and UIC. During the application process, you will sign and confirm your understanding of the specific fees you pay. For example, most exchange students pay a one-time Orientation /Arrival Fee ($199 as of Fall 2025) to UIC unless it is specifically waived in the MOU with your institution.

Student Accounts and Billing

Student billing and payment at UIC are handled by the University Bursar. This central office handles accounts for students at the three universities that comprise the University of Illinois system, including UIC. You can pay for applicable fees and CampusCare health insurance coverage (if not waived by deadline) via your MyUIC portal, which you will have access to after you are admitted to UIC. Payment plans are available through the University Bursar if needed.

BILLING DISCLAIMER: All UIC students, including exchange students, are automatically charged tuition and all fees upon registering for courses. You will see this bill shortly after confirming your course registration – don’t panic! SAO will notify the University Bursar to waive tuition and the fees specified by the MOU for each exchange student. However, there can be a delay between the date the University Bursar is notified and the date the fee waiver is reflected on your account. Be mindful of any payment deadlines and communicate questions about your student bill to SAO in a timely manner.

Additional Estimated Expenses

In addition to tuition paid to your home institution and fees paid to UIC, you should plan funding for additional costs such as living expenses and books/supplies. Below are estimates of these expenses based on living in Chicago and studying at UIC for one year. These are also the amounts you must show as evidence of funding for OIS to issue your DS-2019 form.

Admission Processing

After you submit a completed application, it is forwarded to the relevant academic department for consideration. If the academic department review is favorable, UIC Admissions will conduct a final review of the application. If your application is approved, you will receive an official admission letter from UIC Admissions.

Activate Your NetID

Once your admission letter is released, you should activate your UIN NetID to access most UIC resources (email, Blackboard, MyUIC Portal for registration and billing, etc.). See instructions on the NetID activation process here.

UIC Email

After activating your UIC NetID and email, make sure to regularly check your UIC Email address for important communication from UIC leading up to the start of the semester.

Most incoming exchange students will utilize a J-1 visa to enter the U.S. and engage in a program of study. After you are officially admitted to UIC as an exchange student, you will need to submit documentation to the Office of International Services (OIS) so they may issue a Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status) for you. The DS-2019 form allows you to apply for a J-1 visa stamp at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

You will receive detailed instructions on how to submit your OIS Documents in order to obtain an initial DS-2019 after the nomination form from your home institution coordinator is accepted.

Applying for a visa with your DS-2019

Exchange students may choose to live on-campus with UIC Housing or off-campus in private accommodation. UIC Campus Housing is encouraged as it can be securely arranged from abroad, is located directly on-campus, and it provides exchange students many opportunities to connect with UIC students and campus life. Private, off-campus housing can be less expensive but may entail unforeseen costs, unreliable maintenance, difficulty commuting, and reduced access to university services. It is your responsibility to secure accommodation as housing is not arranged by the UIC Exchange Program.

• UIC Campus Housing 
• Explore long-term housing options 
• Secure temporary housing 

Having health insurance that meets program requirements is essential to maintaining your exchange student status. Explore some common questions and answers below regarding health insurance for your program.

Insurance FAQs

Is Health Insurance Required for J-1 Exchange Students?

Yes, J-1 Exchange Visitor students (you) are required to have health insurance that meets requirements set by the U.S. Department of State. Healthcare coverage (insurance) in the U.S. is very different from insurance in other countries.

It is important that you review the U.S. Department of State Requirements carefully to ensure your insurance coverage includes this specific wording:

1. Medical benefits of at least USD $100,000 per accident or illness; (note: “per accident or illness” means we expect that you will demonstrate sufficient insurance in case you suffer multiple accidents/illnesses)
2. Repatriation of remains in the amount of USD $25,000;
3. Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of exchange visitors to his or her home country in the amount of USD $50,000; and
4. Deductible not to exceed USD $500 per accident or illness.

Your health insurance coverage must be valid for the duration of your program in the U.S.

Does UIC Offer Health Insurance for Students?

All registered UIC students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the University’s student health benefits program, CampusCare. However, please note that CampusCare alone does NOT meet the U.S. Department of State’s health insurance requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors discussed above. You may waive Campus Care if you have comparable health insurance which meets UIC and the State of Illinois insurance requirements.

We will review how to waive CampusCare insurance during the J-1 Exchange Student Orientation.

Can UIC Recommend a Health Insurance Company or Policy for Me?

UIC cannot recommend one company or policy over the other; we can only confirm tif a company you find offers insurance coverage that meets the U.S. Department of State health insurance requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors. Please let us know if you would like a list of potential insurance companies that are familiar with the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program requirements and we will email this to you (again, we cannot recommend one company over the other).

How Do I Submit My Proof of Health Insurance to SAO?

We encourage exchange students to submit proof of insurance to SAO via email at sao@uic.edu prior to arriving to the U.S. so we can confirm that it meets the J-1 Exchange Visitor requirements.

Once you arrive to Chicago, you will need to submit your proof of health insurance as part of your virtual immigration check-in. However, we encourage you to email your Insurance documents, which must be in English and must clearly state that the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program insurance requirements are met. Insurance documents that do not meet these criteria are not acceptable.

Where Can I Find More Information on U.S. Health Insurance?

You can find information on general student insurance requirements here.

Course Registration and UIC Record Requirements

Incoming exchange students register for UIC courses after they have arrived in the U.S. and completed an OIS Immigration Check-In. Even though you cannot register for your classes before arrival in the U.S., it will be helpful for you to connect with an academic advisor in your department at UIC to discuss course availability and the registration process. Let us know at sao@uic.edu if you need help connecting with an academic advisor at UIC.

UIC Records
Immunization Record Requirements

All new UIC students are required to submit evidence of vaccination against COVID-19 and five other diseases. Learn how to submit your medical immunization records to the UIC Registrar.

Original Transcripts

After admission to UIC, please work with your home institution to send official hard copy transcripts in English to UIC’s Office of International Services before the start of the semester.

Failure to submit these items could result in UIC course enrollment/transcript holds.

Arriving to Chicago

The UIC Exchange Program does not arrange travel to the U.S. or transportation to the UIC campus. You will be responsible for booking your own tickets and planning your trip to Chicago. Learn more about arriving to the U.S. through a port of entry and your options for getting to UIC.

Immigration Check-In with SAO

Your first step once you arrive to Chicago should be to complete your Immigration Check-In with UIC’s Office of International Services.

Navigating Campus and Attending Orientation

After you have had a day or two to settle in and start to adjust to Chicago time, get ready to learn more about UIC, the resources available to you, the rules you need to follow while on your UIC Exchange Program, and get ready for classes!

Check out the UIC Campus Tour Video for a virtual trip around UIC’s Chicago campus.

SAO hosts International Student Orientation (ISO) at the beginning of each fall and spring semester and summer sessions. SAO also hosts a mandatory orientation session specific to exchange students, where you will meet fellow exchange students from around the world. Be sure to time your arrival accordingly so you don’t miss this session!

• Arriving to UIC 
• Immigration Check-In with OIS
• International Student Orientation 

The Office of International Services (OIS) will support you in maintaining your immigration status while in the U.S., however, ultimately the responsibility is yours. Most exchange students enter the U.S. and participate in the UIC Exchange Program on a J-1 visa. Visit the immigration section for details on J-1 Exchange Visitor Student status and email ois@uic.edu with any questions.

J-1 EV Student Status Information 

We are here to provide cultural adjustment support during your program. Cultural concepts and adjustment will be addressed during international student orientation and programming aimed at helping you explore your new home, and make connections will be offered throughout your stay. Know that adjusting to a new culture is a journey filled with ups and downs. Keep an open mind and do not hesitate to reach out if you need help.

• Cultural Adjustment and Transition 
• Center for Student Involvement

In the UIC Exchange Program, you will study alongside fellow UIC students in lectures, classes, discussion groups, labs, and studios. Instruction is in English, and regular attendance and active participation are expected by the faculty.

Program Length

The UIC academic calendar is based on traditional semesters.

• Fall Semester: August – December
• Spring Semester: January – May
• Summer Session 1: May – June
• Summer Session 2: June – August

Course/Class Selection

Remember the Learning Agreement you completed with your application? Prior to arrival you probably met with your exchange program coordinator at your home institution to select courses (or “classes”) using the UIC course catalog, which is a list of classes generally offered at UIC. Please keep in mind that not all courses listed in the UIC course catalog will be offered during the term you are studying at UIC. You may also find some courses are full by the time you arrive on campus and are eligible to register. If you find that some of your first choice classes are not being taught or are full, return to your Learning Agreement to find additional classes that you and your home advisor identified as appropriate for your field of study.

While studying at UIC, you should take at minimum 75% of your courses in the field of study indicated on your application. You may take additional courses outside your intended field of study at the discretion of your home institution (check just to be safe!). In addition, please review the general enrollment requirements for J-1 EV student status for a definition of full-time enrollment for immigration purposes and limitations on academic support classes and online classes.

Class Registration

You will register for classes directly with your UIC academic department. In general, class registration can only be completed after you arrive to Chicago and complete your Immigration Check-In with SAO. An SAO UIC Exchange Program advisor will communicate directly with you regarding your specific plan for course registration.

Exchange students in J-1 EV student status are eligible to work on-campus or participate in J-1 Academic Training if eligibility requirements are met and with authorization from OIS.
J-1 EV Student Employment Authorization 

Before you depart UIC and the U.S., you must notify the Office of International Services (OIS) so that they can end your immigration record appropriately. If you are in J-1 EV Student status, submit a status update via your MyOIS account.

J-1 EV Student Departure Information

The Office of the Registrar handles official student records, including transcripts.

• How to Request a UIC Transcript 

The Office of the Registrar requires your immunization records on file before the university issues your transcripts. Please reference the “Course Registration and UIC Record Requirements” section above for more information.

• Medical Immunization Records 

Before you depart the U.S., ensure you have paid any outstanding charges on your UIC Bill.  Questions on specific charges or how to pay your bill may be directed to the Bursar’s Office.

If you have a hold on your record for any reason, you need to work with the appropriate office to have the hold removed before transcripts can be released. SAO is not able to waive all holds. It is important that you work with the appropriate office in a timely manner to resolve any issues, so they do not impact your registration or transcript request.

Common holds include, but are not limited to, the following. Please work with the department that added the hold to resolve the matter:

• Immunization hold
  • The immunization record is one of the most common holds exchange students find on their record. Please find information about immunization records on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
• Accounts Payable hold (UIC bill payment)
• Title IX training hold (additional information on this training may be found here)
• Housing hold

If you are uncertain which department placed the hold on your record, go to your myUIC portal:

1. Click on the ‘Registration & Records’ tab
2. Click on the ‘Student Records and Transcripts’ tab
3. Click the ‘View Holds’ link