Winter Break Travel Tips
December 2, 2025
Winter break is quickly approaching meaning many F and J international students are preparing to travel outside the United States. Before you pack your bags, be sure to review what documents you’ll need to bring with you, understand what to expect when returning to the U.S., and know how to get immigration updates while you're…
Campus Spotlight: 911 and You
November 12, 2025
Author: Nicole Stankovic, UW Alum and UW School of Public Health Research Coordinator If you ever find yourself in a medical emergency in the United States, knowing how to call for help can save a life. But for many international students, the U.S. emergency system can feel unfamiliar or confusing. That is why 911 and…
Understanding the Social Security Number (SSN) Process
November 3, 2025
If you’re an F-1 or J-1 international student, you may need to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) while studying in the U.S. This number is used by the U.S. government to track your earnings over your lifetime. It is not a work permit, but rather a unique identifier that stays with you permanently…
Protect Yourself from Scams Targeting International Students
October 31, 2025
International Student Services (ISS) has recently seen an increase in scams targeting F and J international students. These scams can be very convincing, and scammers often pretend to be government officials, immigration officers, or even University of Washington employees. They may claim that your visa will be canceled or that you’re in trouble with the…
Jeff Shih Student Loan Now Open for the 25-26 Academic Year
October 27, 2025
UW international graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the Jeff Shih Student Loan. The loans are made possible through a generous gift from Jeff Shih, a Seattle and San Francisco businessman and are intended to help international students in financing their education and completing their degree objectives. Eligibility Graduate students must be…
Campus Spotlight: UW CIRCLE
October 7, 2025
The Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange (CIRCLE) is here to help international students thrive at the University of Washington. Whether you are looking for 1:1 support, new friends, or opportunities to connect with campus life, CIRCLE offers programs and services designed with international students in mind. Personalized Support CIRCLE provides 1:1 coaching…
All about MyISSS
October 2, 2025
As an F or J international student, staying on top of your immigration requirements is an important part of your student experience. To help you manage this, the University uses MyISSS, your dedicated online immigration portal. What is MyISSS? MyISSS (pronounced “my I-triple-S“) is your resource for immigration-related request forms and information. This resource allows…
Autumn 2025: A Warm Welcome to the UW
September 24, 2025
As autumn quarter begins, I want to warmly welcome all of our international students to Seattle and the University of Washington! Autumn is one of the most beautiful times on campus with the changing leaves, crisp air, excitement and energy of a new academic year. This makes UW a truly special place to be. For…
Reminders and Tips for Registering for Classes
September 22, 2025
As we kick off the quarter, it’s important to stay on top of class registration to ensure you're meeting visa requirements and academic goals. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the process smoothly! Full-Time Enrollment F-1 and J-1 students are required to enroll in full-time coursework each quarter: 12 credits for undergraduates…
Things To Know About ISHIP for Autumn 2025
September 17, 2025
Each Autumn quarter the ISHIP Office receives many questions about enrolling in ISHIP, getting your LifeWise insurance card, and questions about the coverage ISHIP provides. Here’s what you can expect from ISHIP as you start Autumn quarter. Important information for new students enrolled in ISHIP: ISHIP coverage begins on 9/1 BUT you must register for Autumn…
Preparing for your Return to the UW
August 25, 2025
As you get ready to return to the UW for the 2025-2026 academic year, here are a few important reminders to help you stay on track with your immigration and have another successful year. 1. Prepare Your Documents for Entry When you travel back to the U.S., make sure you carry (not pack in checked…
5 Things to Know as a New International Student
August 25, 2025
Starting your journey at the University of Washington as a new international student is exciting, but we know it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you’re moving to the U.S. for the first time. To help you prepare, here are five important things every new F or J international student should know as they begin…
Maintaining Status while on OPT and STEM OPT
August 6, 2025
Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extension are valuable opportunities for F-1 international students to gain work experience in the U.S. related to their major field of study. However, maintaining your F-1 status during this period requires ongoing attention to specific rules and reporting requirements. Failing to meet these obligations can result in a…
Alert: Possible Online I-765 Filing Fee Error for OPT and STEM OPT Applicants
July 23, 2025
We have received reports that the online I-765 application may be incorrectly calculating the filing fee. If you’re an F-1 student applying for OPT or STEM OPT, this issue could affect your application process. About the Filing Fee Error Students have reported that the online I-765 application is not charging the correct filing fee. According…
Renewing Your Visa during Summer Break
July 14, 2025
Summer break is the perfect time for many international students to travel home, reconnect with loved ones, and take care of important matters including renewing a U.S. visa. If you’re an F-1 or J-1 student planning to leave the country this summer, and your visa has expired or will expire before your return, you will…
Update from the ISS Director: F & J Visa Appointments
June 30, 2025
As posted on our Government Updates page, the U.S. Department of State issued updated guidance that expands screening and vetting procedures for all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including F-1 and J-1 categories, and resumed visa appointments. While the official June 18, 2025 press release did not include full details, a cable sent to U.S. consulates outlines…
Update from the ISS Director: Travel Restrictions
June 6, 2025
On June 4, 2025, a Presidential Proclamation was issued that restricts the entry of nationals from certain countries into the U.S. This entry ban went into effect at 12:01 am eastern daylight time on June 9, 2025 (9:01 pm Seattle time on June 08). These travel restrictions should not affect students already in the U.S.…
Update from the ISS Director: F & J Visa News
May 30, 2025
ISS continues to carefully monitor any changes to federal F-1 and J-1 regulations. Although there have been recent announcements in the media about student visas, there have been no official changes to F or J federal immigration policies. If there are any official changes to the federal regulations, ISS will post it to our Government…
Planning for Summer as an International Student
May 12, 2025
Please read the Update from the ISS Director for additional guidance regarding recent news related to student visas. The end of spring quarter is quickly approaching! We know many students are starting to make plans for the summer—whether that involves taking a break from school, working, traveling home, going somewhere new, or taking classes during…
What You Need to Know About REAL IDs
April 24, 2025
If you’re an F or J visa holder studying or working in the U.S., you may have heard about Real IDs. Starting May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card to fly within the United States. Here’s what you need to…
Update from the ISS Director: SEVIS records cancelled
April 8, 2025
As of this posting, we have learned of five current UW students plus four recent alumni participating in post-completion Optional Practical Training across the three UW campuses whose F-1 visa and SEVIS records have been cancelled by the federal government without prior notice to the University or the students. The University and ISS are deeply…
Tips for Applying for OPT
April 6, 2025
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…
Update from the ISS Director: Cancellation of SEVIS Records
March 31, 2025
This communication was sent to all UW Seattle, F-1 and J-1 active students for spring quarter on March 30, 2025. We are aware of reports from other institutions that F-1 and J-1 student visas have been cancelled by the U.S. government and student SEVIS immigration records are being terminated. At the time of this blog…
How to Optimize Your Job or Internship Search
March 31, 2025
Author: Erin Lee, The UW Career & Internship Center Spring is in the air! That means longer days and blooming flowers but also rising stress levels for students on the job or internship hunt. The good news? Many students successfully secure positions during the spring quarter with the right approach. Here are some key tips…
Spring Break Travel Tips
March 26, 2025
Spring break is just around the corner, and if you're an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, it’s important to prepare properly before traveling. Whether you’re heading home, exploring a new U.S. city, or going abroad, here are some key reminders to ensure a stress-free trip and smooth return. International Travel Before you leave,…
Meet Our Team: Amber
March 19, 2025
We are excited to welcome Amber as our new Reception Team Program Coordinator! Amber is no stranger to our office—she was a student assistant at International Student Services (ISS) while attending the University of Washington. After graduating, she joined our team to continue supporting international students in this role overseeing the reception team. The reception…
Campus Spotlight: Student Legal Services & Your Rights
March 10, 2025
Navigating Immigration Changes: Rights and Resources for International Students at UW Written by Tanya Fekri, Director and Attorney of Student Legal Services Recent changes in immigration regulations under the new administration have left many international students at UW feeling uncertain about their visa status, work authorization, and travel plans. Student Legal Services (SLS) is here…
Alert! AR-11 Scam Targeting International Students
March 3, 2025
Beware of USCIS Phone Scams Targeting International Students If you're an F or J international student, be cautious of phone scams where callers impersonate U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers. A recent scam has surfaced where students receive threatening calls regarding Form AR-11, claiming a complaint has been filed against them. Details of the…
Update from the ISS Director: Federal Immigration Policy
February 4, 2025
We have recently heard from students that the last few weeks of uncertainty around immigration policy has been difficult. I want to assure you that I have been working closely with UW leadership, campus partners across all 3 UW campuses, and with our leading international organizations to monitor any changes to federal F-1 and J-1…
Alert! Scam Targets Chinese Students
January 13, 2025
A common scam targets Chinese international students at the University of Washington, pretending to be Chinese police or government officials. Their goal is to steal your money or personal information by using fear and confusion. Here’s how to stay safe: How the Scam Works Scammers often call students and claim to be Chinese police, immigration…
Alert! New scam targets international students
December 24, 2024
We want to alert our international student community about a concerning new scam targeting students at the University of Washington. Scammers are sending fraudulent emails designed to intimidate students into responding with sensitive information. Here's what you need to know: Details of the Scam Sender Name: The scam emails claim to be from Sarah Phillp,…