In response to recent incidents of international students having their immigration records terminated, we have developed new guidance to support our international student community. This resource is designed to help graduate students and their advisors navigate federal education policy, manage uncertainty around visa status, and access timely assistance when challenges arise. International graduate students holding F1 or J1 visas should stay in close contact with International Student Services (ISS). Information and resources, including links to services on all three campuses,…
The UW is home to over 8,000 representing more than 100 countries. ISS staff advises international students with F-1 or J-1 visas who are enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington.
UW does not provide health insurance for domestic students (U.S. citizens, green card holders, permanent residents, along with DACA and undocumented students). However, the UW offers health insurance to two student groups: graduate students whose UW employment positions qualify them for the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP) and international students on J1 and F1 student visas via the International Student Health Insurance Program (ISHIP). Finding a Health Insurance Plan
Financial Ability Requirement After You’re Admitted English Language Proficiency Test Options Demonstration of English proficiency is required of all non-native English speakers. Applicants who do not meet the minimum required score will not be considered for admission. We do not offer conditional admission. These specific English Language Test scores are the only versions accepted for admission to the Graduate School. Other tests or versions do not qualify. New TOEFL iBT (Effective Jan 21, 2026) TOEFL iBT TOEFL MyBest Duolingo Academic IELTS…
International Student Services Offices The UW is home to over 8,000 international students representing more than 100 countries. The ISS staff at each campus advises international students with F-1 or J-1 visas who are enrolled in degree programs at the University of Washington. Guidance for international graduate students International graduate student travel disruption FAQ
Next Steps Accept Your Offer of Enrollment The first thing you need to do is to let us know you’re coming! This will include logging into MyGrad to register your intention to enroll. Please refer to the letter of acceptance from your department for more detail on how to officially accept your offer. Pay Your Deposit When you accept your offer, you will be asked to pay a deposit toward tuition. This will confirm your spot in your program and…
A matriculated student previously registered in the Graduate School who has failed to maintain graduate student status (on-leave status or registration) but who wishes to resume studies in their previous graduate program must submit a reinstatement request to the Graduate School. This includes: Students enrolled in both a degree and certificate program must submit separate requests for each program. For complete details regarding the on-leave, continuous enrollment and reinstatement policies, refer to Graduate School Policy 3.5: On-Leave, Reinstatement, and Re-Entry. Important…
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirements for offering graduate school courses to graduate non-matriculated (GNM) students, including admissions, enrollment, and credits towards a later graduate program.
After submitting your application, do not pay the application fee if you have requested an application fee waiver. Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) cannot waive or refund the application fee once it has been paid. Who is Eligible? US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Undocumented applicants who: Applicants expecting to be or currently on an F or J-1 visa are not eligible due to federal eligibility requirements tied to these visas. Deadline Application fee waiver requests must be made at least…
Degree Tracks Applications are for the following three types of students. Graduate School admission requirements and application procedures are different for each student type. The Process If you’ve found a program and are ready to start the process, you can apply now. At the UW, graduate admissions is decentralized. The Graduate School can answer general questions. For academic advising, contact the graduate programs directly. The role of the Graduate School The role of a graduate program Now that you know more about…