Welcome to International Students and Scholar Services!

Main page content

Welcome to International Students and Scholar Services!

About ISSS:

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is a part of the Office of Global Affairs (OGA) at University of Washington Tacoma. The work of ISSS is comprised of three functional areas: F-1 Student and J-1 Scholar Advising, Programming & Outreach.

Mission:

The International Student and Scholar Services office at UW Tacoma serves F-1 International Students with non-immigrant immigration advising, programming, and support. We also support J-1 scholars and their academic unit hosts. We believe a student and scholar body rich in diversity; culturally, socially and economically contribute significantly to a dynamic and energetic learning community.

Important Message from the UW Tacoma Office of Global Affairs and International Student and Scholar Services

We are closely monitoring information about the U.S. Presidential Executive Orders and the impact they may have on our international student and scholar community. Please visit this page for statements, more detailed updates, and new information

We stand with our international students and scholars By: Ana Mari Cauce, President of the University of Washington

Today's Supreme Court decision does not in any way diminish our pledge to our community,

here in Washington and across the globe, to remain a welcoming, inclusive and supportive place for people of every faith and nationality. We will continue to do all we can to support the members of our community. We are still working to understand the implications of this ruling for our community members from the affected countries. The Office of Global Affairs at UW Seattle will continue to provide updates and you should consult International Student and Scholar Services and Academic HR for individual guidance.

The values of cultural exchange and engagement are fundamental to our University. They are also essential to sustaining our nation’s innovative and economic competitiveness as we vie for the world’s most talented and creative minds. This ruling must not be the last word.

Justice Anthony Kennedy noted in his concurring opinion that it is now up to the other branches of government to step forward to ensure “that our Government remains committed always to the liberties the Constitution seeks to preserve and protect, so that freedom extends outward, and lasts.” The UW stands ready to work with Congress on legislation that will restore the openness we believe in and that is vital to our educational mission.

NOTE: The information below was accurate at the time of posting (June 27, 2018). For the most up-to-date information about this issue, please visit the Office of Global Affairs site.

Scam Alerts

Many students receive scam calls or emails. You may be next! Scam artists often pretend to be government employees such as Police, FBI, IRS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They often threaten students to take an immediate action such as making a payment. U.S. government employees will NEVER call you nor email you and NEVER ask you to make payments. Please report any suspicious communication to ISSS!

Unlawful Presence in the U.S.

Effective August 9, 2018, USCIS made fundamental changes to its policy on how an immigration status violation might lead to a finding that an F, M, or J nonimmigrant should be subject to the 3- or 10-year reentry bar provisions of INA 212(a)(9)(B).

Under the new policy, USCIS will start counting days of unlawful presence the day after an F, M, or J status violation occurs, unless the student applies for reinstatement or the student is covered by some other exception to the unlawful presence counting rules.

This means that you will start to have days of unlawful presence right after:

Your I-20 is terminated
Your I-20 is completed (perhaps ending OPT earlier than authorized or you request an Authorized Early Withdrawal, etc.)
After your 60-day grace period ends

INA 212(a)(9)(B) and (C) states: "Individuals who have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence during a single stay, and then depart, may be subject to three-year or 10-year bars to admission, depending on how much unlawful presence they accrued before they departed the United States. Individuals who have accrued a total period of more than one year of unlawful presence, whether in a single stay or during multiple stays in the United States, and who then reenter or attempt to reenter the United States without being admitted or paroled are permanently inadmissible.

Those subject to the three-year, 10-year, or permanent unlawful presence bars to admission are generally not eligible to apply for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status to permanent residence unless they are eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or another form of relief."