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).

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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:
Apply for a visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Enter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status before and throughout your program
Apply for a change of status from another non-immigrant status
Show evidence of your F-1 or J-1 status while in the U.S.

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.

Passport

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.

Financial documentation

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.

Proof of English language proficiency

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.

Graduate students – master’s, doctoral

All international graduate students are required to complete and submit the New Graduate Student Status Form below:

OISS: New Graduate Student Status Form
Have you studied or worked at WashU before? *
Are you currently an F-1 student or an F-1 student on OPT? (If you select yes, you must complete all of the questions below.)

When you are already in the U.S. in F-1 status, you must transfer your F-1 SEVIS record to Washington University in St. Louis from your current institution. To do so, speak to the international student office at your current school and notify them of your intent to transfer your SEVIS record. Please note that there are deadlines after which you will not be able to carry out a regular transfer procedure, and you will risk falling out of legal status. Speak to your current school right away, and be prepared to provide them with WashU’s SEVIS school code and your transfer date.

WashU has two campuses and two SEVIS school codes. Please, use the appropriate code depending on your program at WashU.

  • Graduate students enrolling in one of the following medical programs use school code KAN214F10196001: Audiology and Communication Sciences; Biostatistics; MD Program; Medical Sciences Training Program; Movement Science; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Population Health Sciences; Rehabilitation and Participation Science; Speech or Hearing Sciences
  • Undergraduate and graduate students enrolling in any other program, use school code KAN214F10196000.
U.S. Local Address * (This field is required if you have selected “I’m an F-1 student” or “I’m in F-1 status, and am on OPT.”)
<b>U.S. Local Address *</b> (This field is required if you have selected "I'm an F-1 student" or "I'm in F-1 status, and am on OPT.")
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal

IMPORTANT – Your Planned Release Date in SEVIS should coincide with the date a DSO at your current school will release your SEVIS record to Washington University in St. Louis. If you simply pick a date without confirming that your record will be transferred on that date, you run the risk of falling out of status or not receiving your new I-20 from WashU in a timely manner. Speak to your current DSO prior to submitting this form in order to agree that the date you intend to transfer your record is possible.

Are you currently in the U.S. on a visa status other than F-1? (If you select yes, you must complete all of the questions below.)

Please note you CANNOT study in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 status or while a change of status application is pending from B-1/B-2 to F-1. Studying while a change of status application is pending is only possible if you are changing from a J-2 or H-4 to an F-1. Please consult with OISS right away if you are in the U.S. in any visa status other than F-1 and are not planning to leave the U.S. and re-enter in F-1 status.

When planning your travel, remember that you cannot enter as an F-1 student more than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20.

You are responsible for submitting the change of status (COS) application in a timely manner. You may consult an immigration attorney or file on your own. To discuss the COS process, please contact our office.

If you would like to discuss your situation, you can contact an immigration attorney or contact OISS.
Undergraduate students – bachelor’s

International undergraduate students 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:

OISS: New Undergraduate Student Status Form
U.S. Local Address * (This is required if you have chosen F-1 student as your visa type.)
<b>U.S. Local Address *</b> (This is required if you have chosen F-1 student as your visa type.)
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal

I will need a transfer of my F-1 record in SEVIS

Inform the international student office at your current school of your intent to transfer as soon as possible. Tell them you are transferring to Washington University in St. Louis and give them the date of the transfer. You may also be asked to provide a SEVIS school code, which is KAN214F10196000 for all undergraduate students. There are deadlines after which you will not be able to carry out a regular transfer procedure and you will risk falling out of legal status. Your current school can tell you when this information must be entered into SEVIS. You may also provide the following:
Date when your I-20 indicates that your program will be completed.
Ask your Designated School Official (DSO) about what date they will use.

Note:

• Your release date can be no later than 60 days after the date you complete your program. It is ideal if SEVIS is updated by your current school in advance of the release date. We can then be ready to work on issuing your I-20 on or soon after the release date. Otherwise, if your release date is updated in SEVIS on the date of the release, delays are possible.

• You cannot study in the U.S. on a B-1 or B-2 visa.

F-2 Visa Holders

Individuals in F-2 status, note that an F-2 cannot study full time at the university level. If you wish to become an F-1, you will need to obtain that status prior to coming to WashU.

H-4 Visa Holders

We assume you will remain in this dependent status while you study at WashU. If you wish to change to F-1 immigration status before coming to campus, please contact our office.

L-2 Visa Holders

We assume you will remain in this dependent status while you study at WashU. If you wish to change to F-1 immigration status before coming to campus, please contact our office.

Please provide more information about your current immigration status and your plans.

When planning your travel, remember that you cannot enter as an F-1 student more than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20.

Note: You CANNOT study in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visa.

You are responsible for submitting the change of status (COS) application in a timely manner. You may consult an immigration attorney or file on your own. To discuss the COS process, contact our office. If you are an F-2, please note that a COS might not be approved in time for you to begin your studies at WashU.

Please Note: You CANNOT study in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visa.

Note: You CANNOT study in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visa.

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

If you are a newly admitted student in F-1 or J-1 immigration status, you must transfer your SEVIS record to WashU if any of the following apply:

  • You are currently enrolled in a college, university, or high school in the U.S.
  • You have recently graduated from a college, university, or high school in the U.S.
  • You have completed or are completing a period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT)
  • You are currently in valid F-1 or J-1 status, even if you are outside the U.S.
SEVIS fee
  • If you are transferring academically in the middle of a program, have maintained status and have not completed your program of study using the same SEVIS ID, do not pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again.
  • If you are transferring or changing program levels using the same SEVIS ID and have maintained status, do not pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again.
  • Read more on the DHS I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions.
Transfer dates and deadlines

F-1 students: considered “SEVIS transfer students” for immigration purposes if currently in valid F-1 status and no more than 5 months have passed from the last date of attendance OR the last day of OPT (whichever is later) to the start of classes at WashU.

The deadline for F-1 students to request a transfer is 60 days after the program completion or OPT end date, whichever is later.

J-1 students: consult with your international student adviser at your current institution. To be eligible for a transfer, the J-1 category must remain the same, and you must request a transfer before the DS-2019 program end date. 

The deadline for J-1 students to transfer is the program completion date or the end of the Academic Training, whichever is later. J-1 students cannot transfer during their 30-day grace period following completion. 

Travel and time between programs

This guidance applies to students who are ending an academic program at another U.S. institution (for example, program ends in May or June) and transferring to WashU to begin study in the next available term (for example, fall semester):

  • When transferring from one U.S. institution to another, you can stay in the U.S. during the period (for example, winter break or summer break) between the two programs.
  • During the transfer pending period, you can travel outside the U.S. If your current visa is still valid, you can use it to re-enter the U.S. before the start date of your WashU program begins, using the I-20 or DS-2019 from WashU. (Note: Canadian students do not need a visa to enter the U.S.)
  • Any on-campus employment benefit (at previous school) ends on the date indicated on your I-20/DS-2019 or date of transfer of your SEVIS record to the transfer-in school (WashU) – whichever comes first. 
  • If you are on OPT from a previous degree program, selecting the SEVIS transfer release date during the approved OPT period will end your OPT work authorization. We recommend you choose a release date that is after your OPT end date, UNLESS you wish to end your employment early.
SEVIS transfer process
  1. Complete your admission to WashU.
    Your admitting department will request additional documents from you including those specified in Steps 1 & 2 above under “Apply for an I-20 or DS-2019” (passport, financial documentation, proof of English language proficiency, and the New International Student Status Form).
  2. Notify the international student adviser at your current institution that you intend to transfer to WashU.
    The adviser will enter a SEVIS release date into your record. On this date, your SEVIS record will automatically transfer to WashU. You will need to know the WashU SEVIS School Code for your program. Refer to the WashU SEVIS School Codes referenced in the New International Student Status Form.
  3. OISS will create your Immigration Document after the release date from your former institution.
    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.

Important note about timing and receiving your I-20 or DS-2019 from WashU: OISS will not have access to your SEVIS record or be able to process your transfer-in request and prepare your Form I-20/DS-2019 until AFTER your SEVIS record has been transferred and released to WashU by your current institution.

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!

Join the New Student Q & A at the scheduled time

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.

Applying for a Visa Stamp

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.