Share this emailCopy the public link or share it on your favorite channel.
December 01, 2025
Dear reader,

International Student Services is so happy to welcome you to our campus soon. Until then, we know you are busy preparing for your travels to Seattle.

Watch the below video to...
  • learn about your immigration documents,
  • understand pre-arrival steps, and
  • know the post-arrival immigration requirements

Immigration Check-in and Pre-arrival Webinar

ISS will host an Immigration Check-in Webinar on December 8th to review the required check-in process. We encourage you to attend so that you are prepared.

Remember: the deadline to submit your Immigration Check-in is January 5th.

Register for December 8th Webinar

Preparing for a Successful Entry

When you attempt to enter the U.S., you need to show the following documents:
  • passport
  • visa
  • I-20
  • I-901 Fee receipt
  • Letter of admission or class schedule (recommended)
If you're entering by land, ferry, or train you should apply for your I-94 a week prior to your anticipated entry date. Those entering the U.S. by plane do not need to apply for the I-94 beforehand and instead will be issued one at the point of entry.

Remember: you can enter the U.S. as early as 30 days prior to the Program Start Date on your I-20.

Registering for Classes

To process your Immigration Check-in, you must be enrolled full-time. We recommend you enroll in classes as early as you can.

Note: beginning January 12th, you will need a code from a professor to add a class. This can be difficult! Please make sure you are enrolled full-time before then so that you don't have problems adding classes later.

When making changes to your class schedule, please be sure to add classes before dropping classes so that you do not fall below full-time.

If you are not enrolled full-time by January 18th, we will add a hold to your university account.

On-campus Work & Getting a Social Security Number


Many students work on campus in a variety of jobs. If you're hoping to work on campus, a great place to start looking for a job is UW Handshake.

Graduate students often work in academic positions such as Teaching or Research Assistants.

F-1 international students can begin working as early as 30 days prior to the start of classes.

If you have a position for the winter quarter, you may need to apply for a SSN letter from ISS.

We cannot issue your Social Security Letter until you have completed the Immigration Check-in process.

IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS

  • December 06, 2025 - Immigration Check-in Available in MyISSS
  • December 08, 2025 - F-1 Immigration Check-in Webinar (Register)
  • January 05, 2026 - First day of classes (Immigration Check-in Due)
  • January 18, 2026: ISS Deadline to Enroll Full-time
custom custom custom custom