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International Students

Change of Level

Overview

You were admitted to the United States to complete a specific educational program as reflected on your I-20. If your academic program will change, you must request an update to your SEVIS record and obtain a new, accurate I-20. In updating your SEVIS record, International Student Services (ISS) notifies the government that you are beginning studies at a new degree level.

Change of Level Instructions

If you are completing your current degree or finishing your authorized OPT and are admitted to a new, higher degree program at the UW, you must request a change of level update within your 60-day grace period. However, you are not eligible for a change of level update if your new program will not begin within 5 months. Contact your ISS adviser with questions about program timelines, document updates, and travel issues.

Undergraduate students:

If you are a completing a UW Bachelor’s degree (or if you are in your approved OPT period following your UW Bachelor’s degree) and have accepted an offer to begin graduate studies (Master’s, Doctoral) at the UW:

  • Inform your ISS adviser of your expected graduation date (or if you are on OPT, your last day of employment).
  • Log in to your MyISSS profile and go to your Requests & Documents section. Then select the Change of Level/Program icon to submit your Change of Level Request.
  • Warning: if you are currently in your OPT period, remember that your OPT authorization will be canceled on the first day of the quarter of your graduate program.

Graduate students:

If you are changing from a Master’s degree to Ph.D. or vice versa (or if you are in your approved OPT period following your Master’s or PhD), follow these instructions to request the new I-20:

If you submitted a new application through MyGrad:

  • Inform your ISS adviser of your expected graduation date.
  • Log in to your MyISSS profile and go to your Requests & Documents section. Then select the Change of Level/Program icon to submit your Change of Level Request.
  • Warning: if you are currently in your OPT period, remember that your OPT authorization will be canceled on the first day of the quarter of your new graduate program.

If your department did not require you to submit a new application through MyGrad, request your new I-20 from ISS.

  1. Consult your graduate program coordinator to confirm this is an internal department promotion, not a new application process through the Graduate School. (If it’s a new application to the Graduate School, follow the steps to request a new I-20.)
  2. Obtain updated financial documentation issued within the last six months. You will upload copies in the online form. The financial documentation must show enough funds to pay for at least three quarters of expenses (unless you are requesting an extension for only one or two quarters).
  3. Log in to your MyISSS profile and go to your Requests & Documents section. Then select the Change of Level/Program icon to submit your Change of Level Request.
  4. If you work on campus after you receive the updated I-20, contact your payroll coordinator to update your I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you leave for the summer, you must request and obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019 to reflect your change of level. Since you will be returning for the autumn quarter to pursue a different program of study, you will need to travel with a new document that reflects the new program. This new document will allow you one entry to the U.S. prior to the start of your new program. You need to request a travel signature for additional travel.

Yes, students who complete a degree level at UW and who are admitted to begin a higher degree at UW can work in an on-campus job between the two levels, as long as the change of level process is done correctly and meets the government’s requirements.

The F-1 visa stamp in your passport is permission to apply to enter the United States in that visa category.

If you are currently in the U.S., it is okay to remain in the U.S. after your F-1 visa expires as long as your passport is valid, you are following the enrollment rules, and you have correctly followed the Change of Level I-20 process. If you will travel internationally, however, you must apply for new F-1 visa to return. For more information, review the Visas webpage.

Your OPT permission ends when you begin a new degree program (the day before the first day of your program), even if the printed OPT end date on your EAD is later than the new program start date. Your OPT authorization ends either on the end date printed on your EAD or the day before your new program starts, whichever date is earlier.

If you are an F-1 undergraduate student on OPT, who is now accepted into a graduate program at the UW, remember that your new I-20 will be issued by Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS).  Request a Change of Level I-20 from Graduate Enrollment Management Services in your online admissions application’s Next Steps Page.