Change Level of Study

You were admitted to the United States to complete a specific educational program as reflected on your I-20 or DS-2019. If your academic program will change, it is your responsibility to request an update to your SEVIS record and obtain a new, accurate I-20 or DS-2019. In updating your SEVIS record, the International Student Services (ISS) notifies Immigration that you are beginning studies a new degree level. For example, if you are completing a Master's degree and will begin a PhD program, your I-20 or DS-2019 must be updated to reflect the correct level of ecudation.

F-1 students: If you are completing your current degree or finishing your authorized OPT and are admitted to a new, higher degree program at the UW, you must request a change of level update within your 60-day grace period. However, you are not eligible for change of level update if your new program will not begin within 5 months. Contact your ISS adviser with questions about program timelines, document updates and travel issues.

Undergraduate students: If you are currently completing a Bachelor's degree and will continue in a Master's program at the UW, you will receive a new I-20 from Graduate Admissions.

Graduate students: If you are changing from a Master's degree to PhD or vice versa you will need to request a change of level I-20 from ISS.

J-1 students: If you are completing your current program objective or finishing your authorized Academic Training and will continue at the UW in a higher degree program, you must request an update to your DS-2019. The request must be made to ISS or your program sponsor (listed under section 3 of your DS-2019) before your current program end date (indicated in section 5 of your DS-2019).

1. Complete and submit a Change of Level Request Form to ISS together with supporting documentation.
2. Allow 1 week for processing.
3. You will receive an email from your ISS adviser when you document is ready for pick up.

1. I have been accepted into new program which begins Fall quarter, but I'm going home for the Summer. Can I use my current immigration document to travel and then get a new one when I return?
   

   Before you leave for the summer, you should request and obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019 to reflect your change of level. Since you will be returning for the autumn quarter to pursue a different program of study, you will need to travel with a new document that reflects the new program.

2. I am currently on OPT. I would like to come back to school before OPT ends. Can I continue to work on OPT once I start a new program?
   

   Your OPT ends when you begin a new degree program. However, you may choose to continue working up until the day before the new program start date.

   If you are an F-1 undergraduate student on OPT, who is now accepted into a graduate program at the UW, remember that your new I-20 will be issued by the Graduate Admission office.