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.
An international student’s time at UW is shaped by moments of transition, discovery, and growth. From settling into life in Seattle and finding community to gaining professional experience and preparing for what comes next, ISS is there to help students navigate the immigration milestones along the way.
Arrival
A student’s UW immigration record becomes active as they begin life in Seattle.
ISS helps students complete required immigration check-in, understand their status, and take the first steps toward their academic life at the University of Washington.
- Immigration check-in and SEVIS activation
- Record review and first-term guidance
- Early advising touchpoints and next steps
First year and beyond
Students build routines while ISS keeps records and requirements aligned.
After arrival, students are learning a new campus while also navigating reporting requirements, enrollment rules, travel questions, and changes in academic plans.
- SEVIS activation and record review
- Enrollment exceptions and final-quarter planning
- 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
Professional experience becomes part of the student journey.
ISS supports students as internships, research, campus employment, and post-completion training become part of their UW education.
- CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT guidance
- SSN support letters and employment requests
- Reporting support for authorized work benefits
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 into alumni life.
Graduation does not end the reporting relationship. Alumni on authorized work benefits continue to depend on accurate records, clear guidance, and timely support.
- Post-completion OPT and STEM OPT reporting
- Address, employer, and status updates
- Advising connected to earned UW degrees
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 maintenance, 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.