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TRAVEL ADVISORY
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| ISEAS (Interim Student and Exchange Authentication System) |
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Requirements of the USCIS (US Citizenship & Immigration Services, formerly INS & BCIS), US Embassies and Consulates regarding the issuance of a visa and travel to and from the US are subject to change at any time. You are urged to review current requirements prior to making travel plans to assure that you have appropriate documents and adequate vacation time to allow for new processing procedures. See the ECFMG website for additional information.
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Additionally you must contact your visa sponsor (UIC GME Office or ECFMG) regarding the new ISEAS system, described below.
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Effective 11 September 2002, the US Department of State introduced a new document verification system: ISEAS (Interim Student and Exchange Authentication System). |
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ISEAS requires the visa sponsoring organization to first verify the issuance of visa documents to each foreign national in F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, or M-2 statuses before the consular officer can issue a US visa. |
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Each US Embassy or Consulate will check the ISEAS system to confirm that your visa sponsor has authenticated your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20, Form IAP-66, or Form DS-2019). They may also ask for e-mail verification of enrollment by the University or ECFMG. |
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If you are a J-1 physician sponsored by ECFMG, contact them to request ISEAS verification: By telephone (215) 823-2121, by fax (215) 386-9766, or via email. |
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You will not be issued a US visa or be permitted to return to the US without ISEAS verification. |