Plan Arrival and Consider Important Dates

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Last Updated: Dec 16, 2025, 06:12 PM

Important Telephone Numbers:

University Police 
(618) 453-2381

Planning your arrival is an exciting first step in your journey as an international student at Southern Illinois University. This page provides essential guidance to help you prepare for your transition, from travel arrangements and housing to orientation and campus resources. We’re here to support you every step of the way as you begin your academic adventure at SIU.

  1. Obtain your Form I-20/DS-2019 from SIU Carbondale and make the required SEVIS processing fee payment (I-901 fee) at www.fmjfee.com. SEVP regulations allow for scanned I-20s with a digital signature for use in obtaining a visa and entering the US for F-1 student visa holders. Your I-20 will be e-mailed to you once you have been admitted and provided acceptable proof of funding for the first academic year. For J-1 international students, digital signatures are not accepted. Our office will work with you to ship a hard-copy DS-2019.
  2. Schedule a visa appointment with the U.S. Department of State.
  3. All students are required to show proof of immunization. Please obtain your records before you arrive to Carbondale using the SIU Health Service Form.
  4. Set-up temporary housing and research permanent housing options.
  5. Claim your SIU Network ID (also called a Dawg Tag) - this number was provided to you on your admission letter (SIU85xxxxxxx). You can look up your Dawg Tag number at this website.
  6. Purchase your plane ticket, and arrange your travel itinerary to Carbondale, Illinois. View transportation information.
  7. Bring enough money to cover immediate expenses upon arrival to Carbondale, such as transportation to Carbondale, housing deposit, groceries, personal needs, and tuition/fees.
  8. Hug your family.
  9. Keep all of your immigration documents easily accessible, in your carry-on bag not checked luggage, during your trip to the U.S. (you will need to present them).

IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL CHECK POLICY

SIU’s Bursar’s office will not accept checks written from an overseas bank until AFTER the second week of the semester. If you choose to use a foreign check, there will be a six week hold on any refunds. The check must be made out to SIU in U.S. dollars. If the check is not made out in U.S. dollars, the student will be held responsible for additional processing fees. Refunds will be returned directly to the issuing bank.

Prior to your arrival make note of this policy when making your financial arrangements.