Returning Students

If you are a student returning to the University of Washington to complete the degree program in which you were last enrolled, you must follow certain procedures. When considering a return to the UW, allow enough time to receive a new I-20 or DS-2019 and apply for a new visa, if required.

An undergraduate student not enrolled for two consecutive academic quarters or more, excluding summer, and wishing to return to the University of Washington, must follow these procedures:

• Review the Returning Student Reenrollment Policies of the Office of the Registrar, and comply with the listed requirements.
• Complete the Returning Former Student Reenrollment Application and submit to the Office of the Registrar.
• Complete the Returning Student Request Form and mail or fax it to the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) as early as possible. Include photocopies of your passport identification page, most recent I-20 or DS-2019, and financial support documentation.

  Mailing address:
  UW ISS
  Box 355832
  Seattle, WA 98195-5832
  Fax: (206) 685-3511

Your new I-20 or DS-2019 will be issued only after your Returning Former Student Reenrollment Application is processed by the Office of the Registrar, your Enrollment Confirmation fee paid, and your Returning Student Request Form is received by the ISS. Your new I-20 will be mailed to the address listed on the ISS Returning Student Request Form..

NOTE: This application procedure requires the mailing of two forms to two different offices. Returning Former Student Reenrollment Applications are due as early as 3 months prior to your intended return.

Graduate students returning after maintaining "on-leave" status may automatically register for the return quarter during the prescribed registration period. Follow procedures outlined below:

• Review the Returning Student Reenrollment Policies of the Office of the Registrar, and comply with the listed requirements.
• Complete the Returning Student Request Form and mail to ISS as early as possible. Include photocopies of your passport indentification page, most recent I-20 or DS-2019, and financial support documentation. If you receive funds from the UW or another source, include a funding letter with the Returning Student Request Form.

  Mailing address:
  UW ISS
  Box 355832
  Seattle, WA 98195-5832
  Fax: (206) 685-3511

The new I-20 or DS-2019 will be mailed to the address listed on the ISS Returning Student Request Form.

ISS only mails documents by standard airmail. If you would like your new I-20 or DS-2019 sent by courier, contact your ISS adviser for assistance. Students may arrange for a friend to pick up the document from ISS on their behalf. The friend is then responsible for mailing the new document to you.

If you have been out of the U.S. for more than five months your F-1 visa is considered invalid, even if it has not expired. You will need to apply for a new visa after receiving your new I-20. This does not apply to J-1 visa holders.

Apply for the visa in your home country, unless circumstances or travel plans make this impossible, and anticipate delays in visa issuance due to enhanced security reviews. U.S. consulates require in-person interviews for most visa applicants. You are encouraged to schedule the visa interview appointment as early as possible. To schedule an appointment at a U.S. consulate in Canada, click here. The U.S. Department of State maintains an excellent website on the visa application process, and it should be studied carefully. You can also find information about how long it will take to get your visa.

Students who have been out of the U.S. for five months or more may be required to pay a $100 SEVIS fee.

Undergraduates

Graduate students