Seattle campus snapshot
Supporting international students from arrival to graduation and beyond.
A visual report on the advising, compliance, processing, and partnership work behind International Student Services at the University of Washington.
Director
Note from the Director
A strong international student presence makes UW stronger.
As a new academic year begins, I am pleased to welcome our new and returning international students to the University of Washington and to share a closer look at the work of International Student Services (ISS).
ISS supports the UW Seattle F-1 and J-1 student community from arrival through enrollment, degree completion, and, for many students, post-graduation employment authorization. Our population includes undergraduate, graduate, professional, and exchange students from around the world, as well as alumni whose immigration benefits remain connected to their UW education. International students bring curiosity, talent, scholarship, creativity, and new perspectives to our classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, and communities. They strengthen the intellectual and cultural life of the University and help all of us learn across borders.
The immigration landscape has undergone significant changes and challenges in recent years. Shifting federal policies, evolving guidance, processing delays, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment can create uncertainty at every stage of a student’s journey. These conditions affect students’ academic plans, finances, well-being, travel, employment options, and sense of belonging. In this environment, the work of ISS is more important than ever: we provide accurate, timely immigration guidance; help students understand their responsibilities and options; maintain the SEVIS records and reporting that support institutional compliance; and advocate for the conditions international students need to be successful at the UW.
ISS and the University of Washington believe in the value of a strong international student presence at UW. We collaborate across campus and with external partners to support and advocate for our international students, and to help ensure that they are welcomed, connected, and able to make the most of their UW experience. This snapshot offers a view into the people, partnerships, and practices that make that commitment real.
Director, International Student Services
A global community at the University of Washington
The international student population spans enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and exchange students, plus alumni whose employment authorization remains connected to their immigration record.
Enrolled international students
Countries represented
National ranking for international enrollment
Alumni on OPT
Student community
Across programs, backgrounds, and experiences, international students are part of UW’s story.
- 3,542 undergraduate students
- 3,475 graduate students
- 135 exchange students
- 3,076 alumni on employment authorization
Enrollment trend
International student enrollment has more than doubled since 2010.
The student experience, from arrival to graduation.
The international student experience is full of important moments: arriving at UW, checking in, making enrollment decisions, exploring work authorization, preparing for graduation, and considering post-completion options. At each stage, ISS is there to help.
Arrival
Students begin their UW experience with a strong foundation.
ISS welcomes new students, helps activate their immigration records, and provides guidance for starting their academic journey at UW.
- Welcome events, arrival guidance, and early advising
- First-quarter immigration and enrollment guidance
- Immigration check-in and SEVIS activation
First year and beyond
Students receive support throughout their time at UW.
As students make progress toward their degrees, ISS helps them understand immigration requirements and navigate changes in their academic and personal lives.
- Ongoing guidance for maintaining immigration status
- Support with enrollment, academic progress, and program changes
- Advising through policy questions and life changes
International Student Spotlight
Selena Liu
Driven by curiosity and possibility, Selena Liu is showing that undergraduate education can be about more than choosing a single path.
Learning through work
Practical experience can complement classroom learning.
ISS helps students understand their employment options and pursue authorized training connected to their studies.
- Exploring how practical training can support academic and career goals
- Guidance and authorization for opportunities such as CPT
- Resources for Social Security number applications and U.S. tax filing
International Student Spotlight
Elissa Khodikian
Elissa Khodikian, a graduate student from Canada, explores evolution, mentorship, and community as she strives to grow as a researcher at UW.
After graduation
ISS support continues beyond graduation.
ISS helps students prepare for graduation, understand post-completion opportunities, and navigate the next stage of their immigration journey.
- Graduation planning and options such as OPT and STEM OPT
- Continued immigration guidance and reporting support
- Resources for planning beyond F-1 or J-1 status
Top employers of UW international alumni
- University of Washington
- Amazon
- TikTok
- Microsoft
- Tesla
- Stanford
- Allen Institute
- Micron
- Meta
The work behind the student journey.
Each stage of the journey depends on advising, request processing, record stewardship, workshops, and federal-agency advocacy.
Advising appointments held in the last year
Employment-related requests processed
Enrollment-related requests processed
Travel signatures issued
The people behind the work.
ISS staff bring advising, compliance, health insurance, and student support together for UW’s international community.
Meet the ISS Team
Advising, compliance, health insurance, and student support staff serving UW’s international community.
Compliance is a group effort.
ISS collaborates with units across the university and partners with federal agencies so students can move through complex requirements with clearer pathways.
Connecting the student journey
Campus partners
From admissions and orientation and welcome programs through advising, enrollment, housing, health care, career planning, and graduation, ISS collaborates with campus partners so students receive coordinated support. These relationships help ensure that changes in a student’s academic or personal circumstances are understood across departments, staff, and offices involved.
Navigating a changing landscape
Federal partners
As Designated School Officials (DSOs) and Alternate Responsible Officers (AROs) authorized by the federal government, ISS maintains required F-1 and J-1 records, reports through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and helps students understand how federal rules affect their studies, travel, employment, and future academic or career plans. When policies or procedures create barriers, ISS communicates F-1 and J-1 student needs and institutional concerns through appropriate federal channels and our national professional organizations.