Congratulations on your admission! We are excited that you are considering studying at WashU. As an incoming international student, you need an I-20 or DS-2019 to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa for study at WashU. Below are the steps to apply for this document from the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).
Haven’t been admitted yet?
What is an I-20 or a DS-2019?
An I-20 is a form issued by OISS for students to obtain F-1 student immigration status. A DS-2019 is a form issued by OISS for students to obtain J-1 exchange visitor immigration status. Find more information on which immigration status is right for you on our Overview of Student Status Options page.
You will need an I-20 or DS-2019 to:
When you receive your I-20 or DS-2019, review it for accuracy. If you see any errors, notify OISS right away. You must print, sign (physically in ink) and date the form before your visa interview and/or arrival at a U.S. port of entry. Visit our Planning for U.S. Arrival webpage for more details on next steps.
If you will not come to WashU by the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019, follow the steps on the I-20 or DS-2019 Deferral page to receive an updated immigration document.
Apply for a I-20 or DS-2019
Step 1:
Submit the following documents to your academic admitting department. Each admitting department will provide you with specific instructions on how to submit these documents electronically. Your department will send your completed packet to OISS. We will use it to issue your I-20 or DS-2019.
You must provide a copy of the biographical page (with your photo) in your passport. If you are a dual-citizen, submit a copy of the passport you will use when applying for a U.S. visa stamp.
If you are applying for F-1 status (I-20), you must show proof of funding for one year. If you are applying for J-1 status (DS-2019), you must show proof of funding for the entire academic program. Find approved (and unapproved) funding documents and requirements on our Financial Documentation page.
Students who are not receiving full funding from the university must submit the Affidavit of Financial Support along with proof of funding. For questions about completing the affidavit, consult with your admitting department representative.
U.S. Government Restrictions on acceptable funding evidence for an I-20 or DS-2019: U.S. OFAC financial sanctions prohibit OISS from accepting financial statements from financial institutions of countries subject to applicable sanctions, including countries subject to comprehensive OFAC sanctions (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria).
Please note that information about financial aid is available on WashU’s Financial Aid website.
All international students must provide proof that they have met their admitting department’s standard for English language proficiency. For more information on accepted tests, minimum scores and waivers, visit the English Language Proficiency page.
Step 2:
Complete the New International Student Status Form. This form gives us information on your current status and plans to study at WashU.
All international graduate students are required to complete and submit the New Graduate Student Status Form below:
International undergraduate students who are present in the U.S. in an immigration status and/or who intend to transfer their current SEVIS record to WashU from another U.S. institution must complete and submit the New International Undergraduate Student Status Form below:
Step 3:
Access your new immigration document. When we issue your I-20 or DS-2019, we will share it with you via the MyOISS platform. You will receive an email notification and be granted access to MyOISS. The email includes login instructions and details on how to retrieve your I-20 or DS-2019. Details about next steps are shared within MyOISS.
OISS processing times are 3 business days from the day your I-20/DS-2019 request is submitted to OISS by your admitting department. If the request is missing any required documentation or information, processing may be delayed. We will communicate directly with your admitting department if additional information is required. You should expect to hear from your admitting department if you need to provide additional information or documents.
Visa Information: If you have a currently valid visa that matches your status, check if the SEVIS ID number matches your new WashU immigration document. If the SEVIS ID number does not match, we recommend that you apply for a new visa when you will re-enter the U.S.
Transfer a SEVIS record to WashU
Transferring your F-1 or J-1 status to Washington University in St. Louis from another school where your SEVIS record is currently active requires a few steps. Read the information linked below to transfer your SEVIS record to WashU.
Newly Admitted Student Q & A Sessions
Have questions about your I-20 or DS-2019 application, the visa application process, SEVIS transfers, travel, the current immigration climate, or arriving at WashU? The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) hosts weekly 1-hour live Q&A sessions where newly admitted international students can connect with OISS staff, get answers to their questions, and prepare for their journey to WashU.
Bring your questions and join us virtually!
When: Fridays, April 18 – July 25, 2025, 8:00 – 9:00 am (CDT)
Excluded date: This Q & A session will NOT be offered on July 4th as the university is closed.
Click the link below to join the Zoom session at the scheduled time!
SEVIS ID Number
The SEVIS ID number is located in the upper left corner of your Form I-20 form. It begins with the letter “N” followed by a series of numbers (e.g., N0012345678). This is unique to you and is used by the U.S. government to track and manage your immigration record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) throughout your stay in the United States.
Learn more about your SEVIS ID number including why it is important for the number on your immigration document to match the “Annotation” on your visa.
See example I-20 with SEVIS ID number highlighted:

Apply for a visa stamp
Once you are admitted and receive your I-20 for F-1 status or DS-2019 for J-1 status, you must apply for a visa stamp to enter the U.S.
We also offer opportunities for you to join a webinar created to assist you in your visa application process.
Visa delays
Processing times and delays vary by U.S. Consulate/Embassy. A vast majority of visas are issued within days of a visa interview/appointment. However, anyone applying for a visa may be subjected to an administrative processing delay or background check that could take several weeks.
Review the information on the Department of State website for the embassy you are interested in to determine standard processing times. If an administrative delay or background check postpones your intended arrival, contact OISS.
Changing status
Someone who has been admitted to WashU but is not in F-1 or J-1 immigration status may be eligible to apply for a change of status to F-1 or J-1 after an I-20 or DS-2019 has been issued. Those who are in B-1 or B-2 status are not eligible to study until a change of status is approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
An F-2 dependent may enroll in courses on a part-time basis and even pursue a degree program. However, an F-2 who wishes to study full-time will need to obtain F-1 immigration status before enrolling full-time. Find more information on the Visas for Spouses or Children page.
There are certain immigration statuses that are not eligible to change status. If you wish to change your immigration status, be sure to indicate your current status and your plans to change status when completing the New International Student Status Form listed above.