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International Student Services

New Students
Return to UW
Laws
Travel & Visas
Work
Updates
Resources
About Us
- ISS Policies and Procedures
- International Student Statistics

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International Student Services
Travel & Visas
FAQs from U.S. ICE

FAQs from U.S. ICE

Home
- Travel & Visas
  - Visas
  - Travel Signatures
  - Travel to Canada
  - I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
  - FAQs from U.S. ICE
  - Cruises
  - Travel and OPT
  - Presidential Executive Order

The link below will take you to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website of frequently asked travel questions.

Home
- Travel & Visas
  - Visas
  - Travel Signatures
  - Travel to Canada
  - I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
  - FAQs from U.S. ICE
  - Cruises
  - Travel and OPT
  - Presidential Executive Order

Search ISS

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Have a Question?

I am a(n)*
- Applicant or Future Student
- Admitted Student (not started classes)
- Current Student
- Alumni (graduated from UW)
- UW Faculty or Staff

Applicant or Future Student Topics
- I am interested in earning a degree from the University of Washington
- I am interested in English Language Programs at the University of Washington
- I am interested in an student exchange between my home university and the University of Washington
- I am interested in research opportunities at the University of Washington
Admitted Student Topics
- How do I get my I-20?
- How do I get my visa?
- How do I get my DS-2019?
- Daily Life
- Orientation
Current Student Topics*
More information is helpful. Please click all topics that apply.
- Help check status of pending document or request
- Administrative Hold in My UW
- Drop class or withdraw 100% from quarter
- Change to Study at Different U.S. School
- Internships, Employment, and Volunteering
- Travel
- Academic Changes
- Immigration Changes
- Personal Changes
- Make appointment with ISS advisor
- International Student Services Feedback
UW Faculty or Staff Topics*
- Edit a Student's CPT
- Invite ISS to Present to Group
- International Student Services Feedback
Q: How do I check on the status of my request or document?
Please see Check My Request for help with your pending request or document.
Q: Why do I have an Administrative Hold in My UW?
Please see Administrative Hold for possible reasons and self-help tips
Then click "Next" button below.
Q: How can I get an appointment with an advisor?
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!
Q: How do I move my I-20/SEVIS record to a different U.S. school?
Please complete the steps at Transfer Your SEVIS Record.
Q: How do I drop a class or withdraw 100% from the quarter?
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.

Or, you might also consider replacing the class with an online class to maintain full-time status. The challenge is that the class would need to count towards the current quarter registration, so you would need to contact the Extension advising office for more information: http://www.pce.uw.edu/online-learning/
Full Name*
Please write your full name as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019
Full Name*
Official UW Email Address*
UW Student ID Number*
Current Immigration Status (visa type)*
- F-1 Student
- J-1 Exchange Visitor
- H-1B, H-4, E-2, or other
Alternate Email Address
Please write your message.*

Full Name*
Please write your full name as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019
UW Student ID Number*
Current Immigration Status (visa type)*
- F-1 Student
- J-1 Exchange Visitor
- H-1B, H-4, E-2, or other
Official UW Email Address*
Alternate Email Address
Please write your question and completely describe your situation*

Q: How do I apply for degree study at the University of Washington as an international student?
Please see Admissions for information on how to apply as an international student.
Q: What research programs are available at the University of Washington for international visitors?
For research opportunities and J-1 visa sponsorship, please see Research Programs for more information and how to apply.
Q: What Student Exchange programs are available at the University of Washington?
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.
Q: What English Language Programs are available at the University of Washington for international students?
Please see International and English Language Programs for more information and how to apply.
Q: How do I get my I-20?
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.
Q: How do I get my visa?
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.
Q: How do I get my DS-2019?
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
Q: Help with Daily Life
FIUTS helps new students with questions about cell phones, banking, and daily life in Seattle.

FIUTS Welcome Programs
Q: What should I know about Orientation?
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.

Alumni Topics*
- Help check status of pending document or request
- Travel
- Application for OPT
- Report Update to OPT
- Personal Changes
- Immigration Changes
- International Student Services Feedback
Full Name*
Please write your full name as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019
UW Student ID Number*
Current Immigration Status (visa type)*
- F-1 Student
- J-1 Exchange Visitor
- H-1B, H-4, E-2, or other
OPT Status
- 12-month OPT application is MAILED
- Government has RECEIVED 12-month OPT application and it's PENDING
- 12-month OPT application is APPROVED
- 12-month OPT EXPIRING SOON
- STEM OPT Extension is PENDING or APPROVED
- STEM Extension EXPIRING SOON
Official UW Email Address*
Alternate Email Address
Please write your question.*
Q: How do I check on the status of my request or document?
Please see Check My Request for help with your pending request or document.
Q: How do I report an update to my OPT?
Please see OPT: Work, Travel, and More for links for OPT reporting.
Q: What should I know about international travel while my OPT is pending?
After your final quarter ends, you can travel and reenter the U.S. while your 12-month post-completion OPT application is processing, with or without a job offer.

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.
Q: What should I know about international travel when my OPT is approved?
After graduation, if your 12-month post-completion OPT has been approved and your EAD issued, you can travel and reenter the U.S. only if you have proof of employment. If you are still looking for practical training opportunities, you should not travel internationally.
Travel Documents
- OPT I-20 signed for travel by an international student adviser within the last 6 months
- Proof of employment in your field of study (letter of employment, written job offer)
- EAD card (on the EAD card, there is a statement “Not Valid For Reentry.” This means the EAD card cannot be used by itself for reentry to the U.S.)
- Valid passport
- Unexpired F-1 visa (unless you are Canadian or are returning from a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, with some exceptions)
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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Office Hours & Closures

Monday-Friday: 10 am-4 pm

Location: Schmitz 459

Winter Quarter Closures

Mon, Jan 10 MLK Day

Mon, Feb 17 Presidents Day

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