Seattle campus snapshot
Supporting international students from arrival to graduation and beyond.
A visual report on the advising, compliance, processing, and partnership work behind International Student Services at the University of Washington.
Welcome from the Director
Every record represents a student building a life at UW.
International Student Services (ISS) provides F-1 and J-1 immigration guidance, advising, and support to over 10,000 students and alumni representing 130 countries on the Seattle campus. The Institute of International Education’s 2024 Open Doors Report ranks UW #12 amongst all U.S. institutions for the number of international students hosted.
ISS supports F-1 and J-1 students engaged in academic degree programs from arrival in Seattle, throughout their enrollment and degree completion, and as alumni participating in authorized F-1 or J-1 employment benefits related to their earned UW degree. Our team strives to help international students take advantage of every educational opportunity and experience allowed to any other UW student while following the rules of their immigration status. While the student is responsible for maintaining their status, the role of an ISS advisor is to guide them in navigating institutional and federal policies to remain compliant with F or J regulations.
As the government-authorized reporting office for F and J students in degree programs, our goal is to ensure institutional and individual compliance with federal regulations so that international students can succeed at UW. ISS staff use the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to comply with government reporting requirements and maintain student immigration records on behalf of the institution.
We work closely with academic units and campus partners, including admissions, academic advising, orientation programs, the registrar, the Graduate School, CIRCLE, Housing, and Career Services to not only help students but also the larger campus community navigate UW policy in compliance with federal F-1 and J-1 regulations.
A global community at the University of Washington
The ISS population spans enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and exchange students, plus alumni whose employment authorization remains connected to their UW degree.
Student community
From first check-in to post-completion employment, ISS supports each
major immigration milestone.
- 3,987 undergraduate students
- 3,569 graduate students
- 212 exchange students
- 2,397 alumni on employment authorization
Enrollment trend
International student enrollment has more than doubled since 2010.
The student experience, from arrival to graduation.
This draft uses the journey section to connect ISS immigration milestones with the students behind the records. The two International Student Spotlight features would sit at moments where the story becomes personal: finding belonging at UW and looking ahead after graduation.
Arrival
Students begin their UW experience with a strong foundation.
ISS welcomes new students, helps activate their immigration records, and provides guidance for starting their academic journey at UW.
- Welcome events, arrival guidance, and early advising
- First-quarter immigration and enrollment guidance
- Immigration check-in and SEVIS activation
First year and beyond
Students receive support throughout their time at UW.
As students make progress toward their degrees, ISS helps them understand immigration requirements and navigate changes in their academic and personal lives.
- Ongoing guidance for maintaining immigration status
- Support with enrollment, academic progress, and program changes
- Advising through policy questions and life changes
International Student Spotlight
Selena Liu
Driven by curiosity and possibility, Selena Liu is showing that undergraduate education can be about more than choosing a single path.
Learning through work
Practical experience can complement classroom learning.
ISS helps students understand their employment options and pursue authorized training connected to their studies.
- Exploring how practical training can support academic and career goals
- Guidance and authorization for opportunities such as CPT
- Resources for Social Security number applications and U.S. tax filing
International Student Spotlight
Elissa Khodikian
Elissa Khodikian, a graduate student from Canada, explores evolution, mentorship, and community as she strives to grow as a researcher at UW.
After graduation
ISS support continues beyond graduation.
ISS helps students prepare for graduation, understand post-completion opportunities, and navigate the next stage of their immigration journey.
- Graduation planning and options such as OPT and STEM OPT
- Continued immigration guidance and reporting support
- Resources for planning beyond F-1 or J-1 status
Top employers of UW international alumni
- University of Washington
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Meta
- Apple
- Tesla
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
The work behind the student journey.
Each stage of the journey depends on advising, request processing, record stewardship, workshops, and federal-agency advocacy.
The people behind the work.
ISS staff bring advising, compliance, health insurance, and student support together for UW’s international community.
Meet the ISS Team
Advising, compliance, health insurance, and student support staff serving UW’s international community.
Compliance is a group effort.
ISS partners across the university and with federal agencies so students can move through complex requirements with clearer pathways.
Campus partners
Admissions, First Year Programs, CIRCLE, academic advising, counseling, the Registrar, Student Fiscal Services, Housing, Career Services, the Graduate School, and orientation programs.
Federal partners
Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, SEVP, and the reporting systems that keep records current.