Program Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Program assistant roles in Illinois span universities like the University of Chicago and Northwestern, nonprofits across Chicago, and state agencies in Springfield. Employers in healthcare, education, and policy regularly sponsor international candidates. Chicago's concentration of research institutions and global organizations makes it one of the stronger markets for program assistant visa sponsorship in the Midwest.
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Program Assistant, Office of International Students and Scholars
Position Summary:
Eastern Illinois University is seeking candidates for a Program Assistant position in the Office of International Students and Scholars. This position reports to the Director of International Programs. This position will manage communications with OISS by working closely with staff and managing daily operations of the office.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the Admissions and Records Associate to assist with international student orientation and other programs/events.
- Manage daily office operations including reconciling monthly transactions and budget reports, P-card statements, fixed assets, travel forms, records retention, office supplies and equipment, requisition/purchase orders, machforms.
- Manage and maintain communication/networks with F-1 students, applicants, and EIU staff/faculty.
- Coordinate the work of the International Education Council (IEC) by scheduling meetings, attending meetings, and preparing and distributing agendas and minutes of meetings.
- As a Designated School Official (DSO) authorized by the Department of Homeland Security, stay current on change in immigration policies, procedures, and laws. In accordance with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rules, A Designated School Official (DSO) must be either a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- Assist with maintaining and updating student appointments with PDSO and troubleshooting SEVIS related issues.
- Monitor and update the federal database (SEVIS) and manage paperwork for international recruiting agencies.
- Performs other related duties as assigned, e.g. budget and payroll.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with international students, international cultures, and immigration policies.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- General knowledge of general office practices and procedures
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes assessment of customer needs, meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction
- Skill in oral and written communication
- Ability to work effectively with staff, the public and outside constituency groups
- Ability to organize and multi-task
- Ability to supervise and knowledge of administrative concepts and methods
- Ability to utilize various computer software packages
- Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in order to be able to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or problems
Work Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm
Salary/Pay Rate Range:
$3000 - $3500/ month
Application Deadline: June 05, 2026
Required Applicant Documents:
The Civil Service Examination for this classification is a credentials assessment. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from qualified applicants.
- Resume
- Application
- Transcripts
- References
Benefits Overview:
Eastern Illinois University is proud to offer an excellent benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being and career goals.
This position is eligible for the following benefits:
- Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Competitive employee insurance premiums with flexible plan options.
- Vision Insurance: Vision coverage is included with medical at no cost.
- Dental Insurance: Dental plans are available to meet your needs.
- Retirement Benefits: Participation in the State University Retirement System, which includes medical insurance benefits upon retirement.
- Tuition Waivers: Opportunities to pursue educational goals through tuition waivers for employees and dependent children.
- Generous Paid Time Off: Up to 12 paid holidays annually, plus earned vacation and sick time.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Eastern Illinois University is committed to fostering a learning community where all members feel welcomed and valued. The university provides equality of opportunity in all areas of campus life, and we strive to recognize and appreciate the unique value of our students, faculty, and staff. Every member of campus has the right to learn and work in an environment free of discrimination and harassment, and beyond that, our goal is for all members of our community to develop a strong sense of belonging to Eastern Illinois University.
The University and Community:
Eastern Illinois University takes pride in creating a warm, welcome environment for all faculty, staff and students. Established in 1895, EIU boasts a rich tradition of preparing students for their personal and professional goals. A traditional regional residential institution, EIU offers a superior education at a relatively low cost while consistently earning high rankings and distinctions for its affordability, academic program quality, career placement rates, campus safety, online degree options, student support, and sustainability initiatives. EIU focuses on individualized attention and superior student relationships and has earned recognition as the highest-ranking independent public regional university in Illinois and a place among the Midwest’s top public regional universities according to U.S. News and World Report. Eastern offers faculty a wide range of research and public service activities. EIU hosts more than 175 student organizations on campus, and offers a variety of cultural events, NCAA Division I athletics, and active research opportunities for its students to enjoy and to thrive. EIU has become recognized for providing the resources of a large institution while creating the kinds of individual relationships that support student and alumni success.
The University is located in East Central Illinois, combines the benefits of a community of 20,000 with access to several large cities, including Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
Important Information for Applicants:
Eastern Illinois University is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete the application and/or interview process. If would like to request assistance with the application/interview process, please contact Human Resources at (217) 581-3911 or eiu_employment@eiu.edu for assistance.
Program Assistant Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Program Assistant Jobs in IllinoisProgram Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and organizations sponsor visas for program assistants in Illinois?
Universities are among the most consistent sponsors, with the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and University of Illinois system regularly filing H-1B visa petitions for program and research assistant roles. Large nonprofits, healthcare systems like Northwestern Medicine, and international organizations headquartered in Chicago also sponsor. Government contractors working with federal agencies in the state occasionally sponsor as well, particularly for policy or program coordination positions.
Which visa types are most common for program assistant roles in Illinois?
The H-1B is the most common visa for program assistant roles where the position requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as public health, social work, or international development. Some university-affiliated roles qualify for cap-exempt H-1B petitions, bypassing the annual lottery. J-1 visa exchange visitor visas are also common in research or academic program contexts, particularly at Illinois universities with established exchange programs.
Which cities in Illinois have the most program assistant visa sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the majority of program assistant sponsorship activity in Illinois, driven by its density of universities, hospitals, nonprofits, and corporate headquarters. Evanston sees hiring through Northwestern University. Champaign-Urbana is active for academic and research program roles tied to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Springfield has some state agency positions, though sponsorship there is less frequent than in the Chicago metropolitan area.
How to find program assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, so you can search program assistant roles in Illinois without sorting through positions that don't sponsor. The platform is useful for identifying which Chicago-area nonprofits, universities, and research organizations are actively hiring international candidates. Filtering by Illinois and program assistant role type surfaces opportunities that match both your location and sponsorship needs.
Are there any Illinois-specific factors that affect program assistant visa sponsorship?
Illinois employers sponsoring H-1B workers must meet Department of Labor prevailing wage requirements for the specific occupation and geographic area, which in Chicago reflects a higher cost of living than downstate regions. University and nonprofit employers in Illinois often have in-house immigration counsel experienced with cap-exempt petitions, which can simplify the process. Candidates with degrees from Illinois institutions may also find warmer reception from in-state employers already familiar with those credential pipelines.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored program assistant jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.