Spring Quarter is here, and the cherry blossoms are in bloom across campus! While this is a beautiful and exciting time of year at UW, it’s also the busiest time for the ISS office. Many students are applying for CPT or OPT, requesting travel signatures, extending their I-20 or DS-2019, or preparing for graduation. If you’re planning to visit the ISS office this quarter, a little preparation can go a long way. Here are a few tips to help make…
Author: Justin Mellish
Campus Spotlight: The UW Food Pantry
Food insecurity is a real issue that affects students at the University of Washington. The UW Food Pantry is a campus resource that provides free food and groceries to students, staff, and faculty. What the UW Food Pantry Is The UW Food Pantry is a campus resource that provides shelf stable products, UW Farm organic produce, ready-to-eat items from campus dining locations, and hygiene products at no cost to members of the UW campus community. Its mission is to ensure…
Tips for Applying for OPT
Happy Spring Quarter! As many of you prepare for your graduation, you may be considering applying for OPT. Applying for OPT can feel daunting and stressful, so here are some tips from ISS to help you prepare for your application. Apply early! Spring is the busiest season for USCIS. Applications can take several months to process, so if you are able to, we highly recommend that you apply early. Post-completion OPT does not require a job offer to apply, so…
Alert! Tuition Payment Scam
Written by Dan Zhu of UW CIRCLE We want to alert you to a recurring credit card scam targeting tuition payments. Scammers approach students offering to handle tuition payments with promises of waived transaction fees, better exchange rates, or rebates. They request the student’s UW NetID and password to access the tuition account and make credit card payments in installments. The student is then asked to repay the scammer via checks, cash, or fund transfers. Often, it takes several days…
Is This Allowed? Employment Gray Areas as an F-1 Student
ISS advisors receive questions every quarter about employment for which there are no straight answers. Immigration regulations can be vague, and it is up to ISS to help students better understand the risks of choices they make. We are here to debunk some of the myths surrounding common work topics that come up in advising, and make sure you have the best information! Common Gray Areas in Employment Volunteer Work versus Unpaid Work True volunteer work does not require work…
2026 Tax Season: What to Expect
The 2026 tax season is here! Filing taxes in the United States can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re filing for the first time as an international student. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the process, understand key dates, and access helpful resources. Who Needs to File Taxes? As an international student on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you are required to file certain tax forms even if you didn’t earn any income during the year. International Student Services provides…
Scam Alert: Alien Registration Number
International Student Services has become aware of a recent phone scam targeting international students about their “alien registration number.” In a recent incident, a student received a call from someone claiming to be with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The caller stated that the student was required to report their Alien Registration Number to USCIS, warned that failure to do so would be a federal crime, and claimed there was an active arrest warrant for the student. The caller…
USCIS Update: Photo and Biometrics Requirements
On December 12, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a photo and biometrics update outlining new requirements for how photographs may be submitted and reused for immigration benefit applications. USCIS no longer accepts self-submitted photographs and now limits when applicants can reuse previously taken photos. USCIS now accepts only photographs taken at an Application Support Center (ASC) during a Biometrics Services Appointment (BSA), or by other USCIS-authorized entities. This guidance is effective immediately and applies to all benefit…
Campus Spotlight: UW Study Away Program on Lopez Island
Author: Lesley Steinman Reconnecting Food Roots (RFR) is a unique and place-based UW Study Away program on Lopez Island, located in the Pacific Northwest U.S. The island is the unceded territory of Straits Salish people and has historically served as a breadbasket for the surrounding islands. RFR uses systems thinking to explore the interconnections of food, human and ecological health through the themes of Land, Sea, and Air. We are recruiting our Summer 2026 cohort and this program may be…
USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fees
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced an increase to USCIS premium processing fees, including fees that affect F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents. These changes reflect inflation from June 2023 through June 2025 and are authorized under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which allows fee adjustments every two years. When the New Fees Apply The updated fees take effect on March 1, 2026. Any premium processing request postmarked on or after March 1, 2026 must include the new…