The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) uses an online platform called MyOISS that stores records for all F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors at WashU.

The information on this page is intended for WashU departments.

Instructions for students & scholars

Learn about how students and scholars use MyOISS.

Introduction to MyOISS
On this page: for departments
New students
Current students
New scholars
Current scholars

MyOISS: new students

Before an international student can begin their studies at WashU, they must receive an immigration document and apply for a visa stamp at a U.S. consulate abroad. The most common immigration statuses for students are F-1 and J-1. OISS issues immigration documents for these two statuses. Before this happens, however, the student record must be created in the MyOISS platform.

Students are generally granted access to the MyOISS platform after they are matriculated in Workday. In MyOISS, students can apply for their initial immigration document, read information pertaining to their status, access their immigration documents, submit requests and review important notes and reminders.

1. Student’s record is linked to MyOISS from Workday

OISS receives most student records in MyOISS after they are matriculated in Workday.

2. OISS invites the student to the MyOISS platform

The student receives an email from oiss@wustl.edu with the subject beginning with “Welcome to MyOISS!” This email includes instructions for accessing MyOISS and requesting an immigration document.

3. Student completes immigration document request

The student enters data fields within their MyOISS record and uploads documentation in order to receive their immigration document. Required documentation includes their passport, WashU admission letter and financial proof. The student must then submit the request.

Students transferring from another SEVP-approved institution must indicate that they are a transfer student in the request.

4. OISS reviews the request

The submitted request will automatically be assigned to an OISS staff member for processing. OISS will review all the data and the documents. If required information or documents are missing, OISS will send the request back to the student. If all required information and documents meet the eligibility criteria, OISS will process the request and issue a Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 students).

5. OISS sends the Form I-20/DS-2019 to the student

As soon as the I-20 or the DS-2019 is ready and available, OISS staff will email the student. This email will include instructions to retrieve the immigration document and information regarding next steps.

MyOISS: continuing students

MyOISS tracks biographical information, addresses, program information, work authorizations and SEVIS transactions. Students will use MyOISS throughout their time at WashU and after, using it to apply for benefits such as reduced course loads, program extensions and work authorization.

If you are an academic adviser, faculty adviser or PI for international students, you may be asked to approve student requests within MyOISS. The following requests require adviser approval. We ask that you take your job as an approver seriously, as your approval or rejection of a request helps to inform our office if a student is eligible for an immigration benefit.

As soon as a student lists you as an approver in their MyOISS request, you will receive an email with a link for you to view the request and “Approve” or “Reject” it. Your action to Approve or Reject the request helps inform our office if a student is eligible for an immigration benefit. It does not connect directly with the immigration system (SEVIS). You may also leave notes that the student and OISS staff can see. OISS gives final approval and authorization.

If you are not the adviser for a specific student, please include notes and “Reject” the request. If you have questions or are unsure how to access information you need, contact OISS.

MyOISS for Scholars: prospective scholars

Before a J-1 scholar can begin a program at WashU, they must receive an immigration document and apply for a visa stamp at a U.S. consulate abroad. OISS issues immigration documents for J-1 scholars once a record is created in the MyOISS for Scholars platform.

Scholars are granted access to MyOISS for Scholars after a department initiates a J-1 scholar request.

1. Department contact initiates a J-1 scholar request

The department contact will access MyOISS for Scholars and submit either a J-1 Scholar Application or J-1 Intern Application request.

2. OISS invites the scholar to MyOISS for Scholars

The scholar receives an email from J1Scholar@wustl.edu. This email includes instructions for accessing MyOISS for Scholars and completing the request started by the department.

3. Scholar completes immigration document request

The scholar enters data fields within their MyOISS for Scholars record and uploads documentation in order to receive their immigration document.

4. OISS reviews the request

The submitted request will automatically be assigned to an OISS staff member for processing. OISS will review all the data and the documents. If required information or documents are missing, OISS will send the request back to the department and/or scholar. If all required information and documents meet the eligibility criteria, OISS will process the request and issue a Form DS-2019.

5. OISS sends the Form DS-2019 to the scholar

As soon as the DS-2019 is ready and available, OISS staff will email the scholar. This email will include instructions to retrieve the immigration document and information regarding next steps.

MyOISS for Scholars: current scholars

MyOISS for Scholars tracks biographical information, addresses, program information, authorizations and SEVIS transactions. J-1 scholars will use MyOISS for Scholars throughout their time at WashU and after, using it to apply for benefits.

If you are a department contact or PI for an international scholar, you may be asked to create, complete or approve requests within MyOISS for Scholars. The following requests require department or PI creation or approval. We ask that you take your job as a sponsor and approver seriously, as your approval or rejection of a request helps to inform our office if a scholar is eligible for an immigration benefit.