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International Students

Change of Level

Overview

The United States admitted you to complete the specific educational program reflected on your I-20. If your academic program will change, you must request an update to your SEVIS record and obtain a new, accurate I-20. In updating your SEVIS record, International Student Services (ISS) notifies the government that you are beginning studies at a new degree level.

Change of Level Instructions

If you complete your current degree or finish authorized OPT and gain admission to a higher UW degree program, you must request a change of level update within your 60-day grace period. However, you are not eligible for a 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 a completing a UW Bachelor’s degree (or if you are in your approved OPT period following your UW Bachelor’s degree) and have accepted an offer to begin graduate studies (Master’s, Doctoral) at the UW:

  • Inform your ISS adviser of your expected graduation date (or if you are on OPT, your last day of employment).
  • Log in to your MyISSS profile and go to your Requests & Documents section. Then select the Change of Level/Program icon to submit your Change of Level Request.
  • Warning: if you are currently in your OPT period, remember that your OPT authorization will be canceled on the first day of the quarter of your graduate program.

Graduate students:

If you are changing from a Master’s degree to Ph.D. or vice versa (or if you are in your approved OPT period following your Master’s or PhD), follow these instructions to request the new I-20:

Submitted a new application through MyGrad:

  • Inform your ISS adviser of your expected graduation date.
  • Log in to your MyISSS profile and go to your Requests & Documents section. Then select the Change of Level/Program icon to submit your Change of Level Request.
  • Warning: if you are currently in your OPT period, remember that your OPT authorization will be canceled on the first day of the quarter of your new graduate program.

Department did not require you to submit a new application through MyGrad, request your new I-20 from ISS.

  1. Consult your graduate program coordinator to confirm this is an internal department promotion, not a new application process through the Graduate School. (If it’s a new application to the Graduate School, follow the steps to request a new I-20.)
  2. Obtain updated financial documentation issued within the last six months. You will upload copies in the online form. The financial documentation must show enough funds to pay for at least three quarters of expenses.
  3. Log in to your MyISSS profile and go to your Requests & Documents section. Then select the Change of Level/Program icon to submit your Change of Level Request.
  4. If you work on campus after you receive the updated I-20, contact your payroll coordinator to update your I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Although you do not need the updated document to depart the U.S., you must request and obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019 reflecting your change of level before returning to the U.S. for the autumn quarter. 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. This new document will allow you one entry to the U.S. prior to the start of your new program. You need to request a travel signature for additional travel.

Yes, students who complete a degree at UW and are admitted to a higher degree at UW may work in an on-campus job between degree levels if they complete the change of level process correctly and meet government requirements.

The F-1 visa stamp in your passport is permission to apply to enter the United States in that visa category.

If you are currently in the U.S., it is okay to remain in the U.S. after your F-1 visa expires as long as your passport is valid, you are following the enrollment rules, and you have correctly followed the Change of Level I-20 process. If you will travel internationally, however, you must apply for new F-1 visa to return. For more information, review the Visas webpage.

Your OPT permission ends when you begin a new degree program (the day before the first day of your program). This is true even if the printed OPT end date on your EAD is later than the new program start date. Your OPT authorization ends either on the end date printed on your EAD or the day before your new program starts, whichever date is earlier.

If you are an undergraduate student on OPT who has been accepted into a graduate program, GEMS will issue your new I-20. Request a Change of Level I-20 from Graduate Enrollment Management Services in your online admissions application’s Next Steps Page.