Author: Sara Torres

F-1 Immigration Orientation is required for all new students who receive I-20s from ISS at the University of Washington. New students who missed spring 2023’s orientation session on March 22 or 23 may make up their orientation requirement by watching a recording of our session from winter 2023 F-1 immigration session and completing the form to let us know they’ve watched the video. Students who do not complete this requirement may have a hold placed on their MyUW account. Thus,…

On March 28, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program is scheduling an update to the SEVP Portal that will display the number of days you have been unemployed when you log into the portal. We wanted to remind you of your obligation to report your employment within 10 days of starting or ending a practical training opportunity. Students on STEM OPT are also required to upload copies of their completed I-983s when they start or end a training opportunity….

On March 7, 2023, we had a Tax 101 Information Session for international students at UW! During the session, presenters shared about how the U.S. tax system operates and talked about some important information about filing non-resident and resident taxes. As a note, though presenters mentioned that you can consult with ISS about your taxes, we wanted to reiterate that ISS advisors are not tax consultants and will not be able to help you with your tax questions. While we…

We’ve been noticing that many students and campus staff are coming to our information sessions or sending emails about 3 years of OPT. We wanted to clarify the difference between post-completion OPT and the STEM 24-month extension of OPT. One of our advisors, Alisa Sweet, wrote out a message to help promote understanding. Some of you may know that F-1 students who are in a STEM field can be authorized for up to three years of OPT. But did you…

As we finish out winter quarter, ISS advisors are preparing for the heavy OPT season for spring quarter graduates. To help you prepare, our newest advisor in ISS, Sophia Schuessler, shared some tips for filling out your I-765! When filing the I-765 with USCIS (either with a physical form or online) it is important to remember: You must have your recommended OPT I-20 before you apply to USCIS. Students often get denied because they either file the documents out of…

Our colleagues across campus have reached out to us about funding available through the UW Center for Human Rights! If you’re researching human rights or working on projects to advance social justice, this may be available to you! Details for individual funds are listed below: 1) Osheroff and Clark Fund Available to undergraduate and graduate students Funding priority goes to projects focusing on promoting social change through direct action Approximately $4,300 is available for distribution 2) Mack and Mayerfeld Fund Available…

If you’re planning on traveling outside of the U.S. during spring break, you need a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019! Wait – what is a travel signature? The travel signature is on page two of an I-20 and page one of a DS-2019. An advisor signs it after they’ve confirmed that you are maintaining status by following the rules of your visa. Signatures on DS-2019s are valid for one year. Signatures on I-20s are valid for one year…

Some students applying for their STEM OPT Extension are not receiving their EAD cards at their current addresses. This issue may impact students who are applying for the STEM OPT extension if they have moved since filing their last I-765. What is happening? Students who applied for OPT by filing their I-765 online with USCIS are not receiving their EAD card at their new address. Rather, it is being sent to the old address that USCIS has on file from…