IPE - Visiting Exchange Students

International Exchange Students

"International educational exchange is the most significant current project designed to continue the process of humanizing mankind to the point, we would hope, that Man can learn to live in peace. We must try to expand the boundaries of human wisdom, empathy and perception, and there is no way of doing that except through education."

Senator J. William Fulbright

Welcome to the University of Washington, Seattle, located in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. UW is a top-ranked research institution welcoming nearly 35,000 students from all over the United States and over 100 countries. The UW International Programs and Exchanges Office serves students seeking to study abroad during their UW degree and visiting international students from our partner exchange universities overseas.

Visiting exchange students are first selected and nominated by their home universities. Your Study Abroad or International Office exchange coordinator can inform you about procedures at your university and answer specific questions about the nomination process for exchange students.

UW exchange students are generally issued a certificate of eligibility (I-20) to apply for an F-1 student visa. As a prospective exchange student, you are encouraged to review the benefits and restrictions of the F-1 student visa category, especially those related to employment, full-time registration, and travel. You may find this information helpful in planning the length and focus of your exchange program, as well as travel plans before and after the official exchange. The Office of International Students and Scholars provides comprehensive details about the F-1 regulations. For more information, visit: http://iss.washington.edu/stu/overf1.html and http://iss.washington.edu/stu/ns.html. If your exchange program sponsorship requires J-1 status, a DS-2019 will be issued in order for you to obtain a J-1 visa. For an overview of the J-1 student regulations, visit: http://iss.washington.edu/stu/overj1.html

This site is organized to help you learn more about the University of Washington and obtain information especially prepared for visiting exchange students. We hope this website will provide the information you need. We recommend that you consult with your exchange advisor and students from your university who have participated in a UW exchange. This should prepare you for a rewarding experience at the University of Washington.

If your school is not one of our partner universities, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions for information on degree-seeking options for international students.