Visa & Immigration Basics

Staying Informed: Immigration Updates & Guidance The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) mission is to empower WashU’s international community with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate U.S. immigration compliance—guiding with care, compassion, and respect. We monitor the evolving landscape of immigration policies and ensure the university community is informed about changes that […]

Transferring your F-1 or J-1 immigration status to WashU from another school in the U.S. is a multi-step process. Carefully review the information below and follow the steps to transfer your SEVIS Record. If you are a newly admitted student to WashU and are in active F-1 or J-1 immigration status sponsored by another U.S. […]

Your SEVIS ID is unique to you. The United States government uses it to track and manage your immigration record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) throughout your stay in the U.S. It begins with the letter “N” followed by a series of numbers (e.g., N0012345678). Find your SEVIS ID number in […]

If you cannot arrive in the U.S. for the academic term start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019, you will need to defer your immigration document to a future academic term. Below are the steps to defer your immigration document with the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).  Admission deferral There is a […]

Applying for your U.S. visa soon? With the right understanding of the visa application process, you can increase your chances of receiving your U.S. visa for study, research or work at WashU. Attend a session listed below to gain practical tips and better understand the U.S. visa interview process. You must register in advance. All […]

Students and scholars must apply for and obtain a valid visa stamp (also simply referred to as a “visa”) before entering the U.S.

What is visa revocation? Visa revocation means your visa (in your passport) is no longer valid for re-entry into the U.S. Visa revocation could lead to termination of your SEVIS record (F and J visa holders) and therefore, termination of your immigration status. If you receive a notice from the government that your visa is […]

Sometimes students and scholars visiting the U.S. confuse the term “visa” with the concept of “immigration status”. It is important to know the differences between these important words.

If your visa has expired and you are traveling outside the U.S., you must apply for a new visa stamp through the same process as your initial visa application, in order to re-enter the U.S.

The U.S. Department of State may use a security clearance process when deciding whether to grant or deny a U.S. visa. This is called administrative processing, or, a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO).