Frequently Asked Questions
- How many international students study at WWU?
- What visas do international students need to study at WWU?
- How do I apply for F-1 Visa to study at Western Washington University as a new student?
- How do I apply for F-1 Visa to study at Western Washington University in my home country?
- How do I apply for F-1 Visa in Vancouver if I am currently attending Western Washington University?
- What is "I-20" or "DS 2019?"
- Can I work on-campus or off-campus as an International Student?
- What is Economic Hardship?
- What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
- What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
- How do I maintain my F-1 or J-1 visa status?
- How many credits do I have to register to be considered as full-time enrollment?
- When can I take a vacation quarter off?
- How do I know if I need a visa to go to Canada?
How many international students study at WWU?
In Fall 2002, Western enrolled approximately 160 international students from 31 nations, led by Japan, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United kingdom.
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What visas do international students need to study at WWU?
International students at Western hold either an F-1 Student Visa or a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. These visas are issued by a United States Embassy. The length of stay for these visas varies.
To obtain a visa, international students must receive a form from Western`s office of International Program and Exchanges. For an F-1 visa, students need an I-20 Form. For a J-1 visa, students need a DS 2019 (formerly IAP-66) Form.
For more information about visas, contact the International Programs Advisor.
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Applying for an F-1 Visa
You will need to submit your form I-20 A-B along with other necessary documents, to obtain your F-1 visa to study in the U.S. Please, consult your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate about what documentation you will need to obtain your F-1 (student) visa and approximately how long the process will take. The U.S. Consulate or Embassy offices will give you the visa application Nonimmigrant Visa Application Optional Form 156 (DS-156), without charge.
If you have access to the internet you can go to U.S. State Department web site for Visa Services. Scroll down to Visitor Visa Application: Form OF-156. Next select Interactive OF-156 in English. You can either print this form out until you are able to get an official document from the Consular Section where you intend to submit your application or submit it directly via the internet. Please be aware that not all U.S. Embassies and Consulates can accept this format at this time. Please consult with the Consular Section where you intend to submit your application before using the form.
Generally you will need the following documents when you apply for an F-1 student visa:
- I-20
- Valid passport
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application Optional Form 156 (DS-156)
Note: Male non-immigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must complete form DS-157
- Financial documents
- Letter of admission from Western Washington University
- Any other requested information
If the visa is approved, you will be given an F-1 visa stamp in your passport and your Form I-20 will be returned to you. Your I-20 may be placed in a sealed envelope. If so, do not open the envelope, the envelope will be opened by immigration officer when you arrive in the U.S.A.
In Route to the U.S.A. On the flight to the United States, you will be given a form I-94 (arrival and departure record) to complete. You will need to have this completed by the time you reach immigration in the U.S.A.
Upon Arrival in the U.S.A.
- At immigration in the U.S.A., you will present the immigration officer the following items: A completed I-94
- An I-20 A-B
- A Valid Passport with a valid F-1 visa
- Any other requested information such as financial documentation and the admissions
- letter from Western Washington University.
The immigration officer will:
- Return the valid passport with valid visa and an INS entry stamp
- Return the I-94 departure record card with an entry stamp
- Open and separate the I-20, keeping the front page for immigration records and return the I-20 ID to you with an INS entry stamp in the right hand corner.
- Return any other requested information
Arrival at Western Washington University
Within the first 14 days of attendance at Western Washington University we need to see and sign your new I-20. If this is not done, your I-20 will be invalid. We will work on this at the International Student Orientation. Please bring your I-20, passport and I-94 with you to the orientation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact International Programs and Exchanges, College Hall 104, via e-mail: Richard.Bruce@wwu.edu or phone: (360) 650-3298
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How do I apply for F-1 Visa to study at Western Washington University in my home country?
You will need to submit your form I-20, along with the other necessary forms, to obtain your F-1 visa to study in the U.S. Please, consult your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate about what documentation you will need to obtain your F-1 (student) visa and approximately how long the process will take.
The U.S. Consulate or Embassy offices will give you the visa application Nonimmigrant Visa Application Optional Form 156 (OF-156), without charge. If you have access to the internet you can go to U.S. State Department web site for Visa Services. Scroll down to Visitor Visa Application: Form OF-156. Next select Interactive OF-156 in English. You can either print this form out until you are able to get an official document from the Consular Section where you intend to submit your application or submit it directly via the internet. Please be aware that not all U.S. Embassies and Consulates can accept this format at this time. Please consult with the Consular Section where you intend to submit your application before using the form.
Generally you will need the following documents when you apply for an F-1 student visa:
- I-20
- Valid passport
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application Optional Form 156 (OF-156)
- Financial documents
- Copy of your transcripts
- Notice of your full-time enrollment at WWU for this quarter
- A letter written to the embassy by the department in which you have declared your major. If you have not declared your major yet please come to International Programs and Exchanges and Liz Partolan-Fray or Ricahrd Bruce will be happy to write a letter on your behalf.
- Any other requested information
If the visa is approved, you will be given an F-1 visa stamp in your passport and your Form I-20 will be returned to you. Your I-20 may be placed in a sealed envelope. If so, do not open the envelope, the envelope will be opened by immigration officer when you arrive in the U.S.A.
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How do I apply for F-1 Visa in Vancouver if I am currently attending Western Washington University?
Please Note: The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver strongly recommends that third country nationals (non-U.S., non-Canadian) apply to renew their visas in their home countries. If you apply for a visa in Canada and are declined, you will not be able to reenter the US. If your application cannot be processed the same day, you will have to wait in Canada until processing is completed.
All applicants applying for renewals must submit:
- A passport valid for at least six months
- A completed and signed application form (DS-156) with photo for each person applying
Note: Male non-immigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must complete form DS-157 3. A receipt for visa processing fee
- A new I-20 or an I-20 that has been endorsed on the back (or page 4) by a school official within the past 12 months
All applicants applying for renewals should be prepared to submit:
- A certified copy of your grades from the school in which you are enrolled
- Current financial documents from you or your sponsor, showing your ability to cover the cost of your schooling
Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get during that period. Students need to plan ahead to avoid having to make repeat visits to the Embassy. To the extent possible, students should bring the documents suggested above, as well as any other documents that might help establish their ties to the local community.
It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. Also, because each student´s personal and academic situation is different, two students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents.
US Consulate in Vancouver BC
Address: 1075 West Pender Street, Mezzanine
Mailing address: 1095 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6E 2M6.
E-mail address for case specific visa inquiries : vancouverNIV@state.gov
- Visa applications are accepted by appointment only;
Vancouver no longer accepts walk-in applications
- Appointments generally can be made within 2 days at this URL or 1-900-451-2778 or 1-888-840-0032
- Print the application from this url (pdf)
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What is "I-20" or "DS 2019?"
These documents are proof that a student has been accepted to study or has been accepted as an exchange visitor at Western Washington University.
The I-20 and DS 2019 (formerly IAP-66) are important documents. If you have questions about these documents, contact the International Programs and Exchanges office at ipe@wwu.edu.
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Can I work on-campus or off-campus as an International Student?
International students who are taking full-time credits may work on-campus for up to 19 hours per week without any special visas. (They are allowed to work full-time during the summer vacation or a break.) However, they will need to get a Social Security Card once they locate a job.
Foreign students are not allowed to work off-campus unless they qualify for "Economic Hardship" or "Practical Training." If you have questions, contact the International Programs and Exchanges office at ipe@wwu.edu.
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What is Economic Hardship?
Economic hardship occurs when a student´s home country is in economic crisis or when a students loses economic support. If either of these occur, a student may apply for economic hardship. If approved, work off campus is allowed.
For more information about economic hardship, contact the International Programs and Exchanges office at ipe@wwu.edu.
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What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
The purpose of practical training is to allow F-1 students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge obtained in academic programs to a practical work experience. OPT could be used for a part-time job in summer, and a job after graduation.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows you to accept up to one year of employment directly related to your academic major. Many students like to use twelve consecutive months of OPT after they complete their studies, although it is possible to use some OPT before completion. While practical training restricts the kind of work you do, it does not restrict you to a particular job or location - you can go anywhere in the country. Understanding OPT can be important as you make plans for summer activities and for the end of your studies.
Eligibility
- Students who have been enrolled full-time for one academic year (generally nine consecutive months) in F-1 status and who are maintaining status at the time of application.
- Students in English Language training programs are not eligible for practical training.
For additional information on OPT, handouts are available at International Programs & Exchanges office.
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What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
Employment under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization permits you to work off campus in a job directly related to your field of study. This is a so-called Internship." Students do not need an approval from Immigration. You only need to get your academic advisor and Director of International Programs & Exchanges, Liz Partolan-Fray´s approvals. It could be a paid CPT.
There are two kinds of Curricular Practical Training:
- training that is required by the established curriculum, but carries no academic credit.
- training that is an integral, but not required, part of the curriculum, and that does provide academic credit
Many internships fit into this. The academic credit is necessary if you wish to use this. It means you must negotiate with your academic adviser to receive credit, perhaps through something like a practicum course that is already in the curriculum. You must enroll for the credit, pay tuition for it, and receive a grade of P/NP.
Eligibility
- Students who have been enrolled full time for one academic year (generally nine months) in F-1 status and who are maintaining status at the time of application. The exception to this is for graduate students enrolled in programs that require immediate participation in paid training.
- Students in English language training programs are not eligible for practical training.
For additional information on CPT, contact International Programs & Exchanges office.
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How can I maintain my F-1 or J-1 visa status?
Listed below are the obligations you must meet in order to maintain your status as a F-1 or J-1 visa holder.
- Attend the school you were authorized by INS to attend.
- Notify International Programs & Exchanges office if you have transferred to WWU from another school. (This includes the Intensive English Program at WWU.)
- Enroll full-time and make satisfactory progress toward your degree.
- Limit on-campus employment to 19.5 hours a week while attending school on a full-time basis, unless you have been approved to work more than 19.5 hours a week.
- Do not participate in any off-campus employment without proper authorization.
- Apply for an extension of stay (i.e. new I-20 or DS 2019) through International Programs & Exchanges before your current I-20 or DS 2019 expires.
- Notify IPE office if you change from one education level to another (e.g. Bachelor´s to Master´s).
- Keep your passport valid.
- Obtain the appropriate official signature on your I-20 or DS 2019 before you travel out side the U.S.A.
- Maintain insurance coverage for yourself and all dependents in the U.S.
- Fill out a change of address form within 10 days of moving to new address.
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How many credits do I have to register to be considered as full-time enrollment?
Undergraduate students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to register for a minimum of 12 credit hours each of the 3 continuous quarters. Graduate students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to register for a minimum of 8 credit hours during the academic year.
If you are unable to carry a full course load, you must see an international student advisor.
International students are eligible for a reduced course loads only in certain specific instances, and only if approved by the academic advisor/major professor and an international student advisor.
Some examples of when a reduced course loads might be approved include:
- Illness or other medical problems
- Initial difficulties with the English language or reading requirements
- Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods (during first or second quarters)
- Undergraduates completing their programs during the current term
- Graduate students who have completed all formal coursework and thesis requirements for the degree program
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When can I take a vacation quarter off?
F-1 students are not required to register for a full course of study during official school break, such as summer and inter-term breaks. An F-1 student is considered to be maintaining status as long as he/she is eligible for he next term and intends to register for the next term. If an F-1 student completes an academic year (3 consecutive quarters at Western), he or she is eligible for a vacation quarter if eligible for the following term with he intent to register for the next term. If the vacation quarter taken is NOT summer, the student will not be eligible for another vacation quarter until he/she has completed 3 consecutive quarters.
If you have questions about your status related to vacation quarters, contact the International Programs Advisor at (360) 650 - 3298 or by email at richard.bruce@wwu.edu.
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How do I know if I need a visa to go to Canada?
To see if you need a visa for Canada, go to the following web site. You will see a list of countries which must have a visa to visit Canada.
You can also visit the Canadian Consulate General/ Seattle website at this url.
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