Please review our “Travel and OPT” information in our OPT section.
Please see Check My Request for help with your pending request or document.
Please see Administrative Hold for possible reasons and self-help tips Then click "Next" button below.
Click the "Next" button below. Then complete all the questions on the form. Make sure to completely explain your situation and question. An adviser will either reply (by email) with the information you need, or invite you to schedule an appointment. The appointment invitation is a online link. We look forward to hearing from you!
Please complete the steps at Transfer Your SEVIS Record.
Please complete the online Course Drop Eligibility Assessment.
The Course Drop Eligibility Assessment will help you learn if the course drop might affect your F-1 visa status. The immigration rules require full-time enrollment, with limited exceptions:
Full-time for undergraduate students = 12 credits Full-time for graduate students = 10 credits.
Please review the full-time registration requirements and exceptions
If you think you fit into one of exception categories, it may be possible to drop the class without negatively affecting your F-1 status.
If you do not fit into one of those categories, a decision to drop below full-time credits (10 or 12) will negatively affect your F-1 status.
Another option to consider might be changing the class grading option to satisfactory/non-satisfactory.
Please see Admissions for information on how to apply as an international student.
For research opportunities and J-1 visa sponsorship, please see Research Programs for more information and how to apply.
If you are looking for an exchange experience, first contact your home university. Your home university may offer an exchange with the University of Washington. Please see Visiting Exchange Students for more information and how to apply.
Please see International and English Language Programs for more information and how to apply.
Your first UW I-20 will be issued by Admissions, not the ISS office. Undergraduate students: Request an I-20 Graduate students: Log back into your Application, and go to your Next Steps Page > Request Visa Documents section for further instruction.
SEVIS Transfer If you have an I-20 from a different U.S. high school, college, university, or English language school, you may be able to move that I-20 from your old school to UW. Please see your admissions information for how to request a SEVIS Transfer.
If you are living outside the U.S. you must obtain a passport from your government. Next, you must apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. As soon as you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from UW Admissions, schedule your visa appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The ISS Visas page has comprehensive information about the supporting documentation you should compile and how to prepare for your visa interview. Canadian Citizens Canadian citizens do not need a visa, but simply present the I-20 or DS-2019, SEVIS fee receipt, financial documentation, and proof of admission to the UW to the immigration officer at the U.S. port of entry. A passport may be required depending on your method of travel. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s travel pages.
Your first UW DS-2019 will be issued by Admissions, not the ISS office. Undergraduate students or exchange visitors: intladm@uw.edu Graduate students or exchange visitors: uwgrad@uw.edu
FIUTS helps new students with questions about cell phones, banking, and daily life in Seattle. FIUTS Welcome Programs
FIUTS organizes the international welcome programs at the University of Washington. FIUTS Welcome Programs There are also university and academic department orientations and new student welcome programs.
Please see OPT: Work, Travel, and More for links for OPT reporting.
You must carry your OPT receipt notice from USCIS, your OPT I-20, and the other regular travel documents.
However, be aware of these risks: USCIS sometimes sends a request to OPT applicants asking for more information or for you to correct a problem with your documentation. These requests are sent by postal mail, so it might be difficult for you to respond if you are not inside the U.S. It is your application, so ISS does not have the authority to respond for you. After your OPT application is approved, you must also have proof of employment and your EAD in order to reenter the U.S. If the OPT application is approved while you are abroad, and if you do not yet have proof of employment or your EAD, this could jeopardize your return to the U.S. You must have a valid F-1 visa to travel during the OPT year (except for short trips to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean). It is risky to apply for an F-1 visa while your OPT application is pending. If your current F-1 visa is expired, we recommend waiting until your OPT application is approved and you have a job offer before applying for a new F-1 visa.
Travel Documents
Visa Renewal You can apply for an F-1 visa during your OPT year. Follow the regular procedures to apply for an F-1 visa outside of the U.S. For the F-1 visa application, plan to provide the documents listed above, as well as proof of financial ability to stay in the U.S. and proof of continuing ties to your home country.
Unemployment During Travel After the OPT approval start date, time spent outside the U.S. will count as unemployment against the 90-day limit. However, travel while employed either during a vacation authorized by an employer or as part of your employment will not count as unemployment. Please keep your primary ISS adviser informed of any travel plans while on OPT that may affect your status.
Dependents If you have dependents in F-2 status who will travel without you, be sure they carry a photocopy of your EAD card and proof of your employment along with their updated F-2 I-20 that is properly signed for travel.
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Location: Schmitz 459
206-221-7857
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