Category: ISS Newsletter

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Winter quarter 2026 is underway, and we wanted to make sure you know how International Student Services can help you with immigration related matters. Whether you have questions about immigration requirements, employment benefits, or general status concerns, multiple support options are available. Following is an overview of ISS services and how to connect with our team this quarter. Office Hours The ISS staff work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At certain times, our office doors are closed…

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 outside the country. Documents to Have with You To return for the start of the winter quarter on January 5th, make sure you have the…

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 You was created. What Is 911? In the United States, 911 is the phone number you call for help in any life-threatening emergency. The call…