July 2, 2025

We have added a new blog post to the ISS web page and sent it as a link in this week’s ISS Newsletter for F-1 and J-1 students. This ISS Director update is on F & J Visa Appointments, including what we know about the expansion of social media vetting and the resumption of scheduling visa interviews, etc. The ISS newsletter is sent to current students only, but this information is relevant for new students as well and advisers may find the information useful to share with either new or returning students inquiring about visa appointments for the upcoming autumn quarter.

Do also keep in mind that UW instruction does not begin until September 24. Of course we want students to arrive early to settle in, have time to adjust, participate in orientation sessions, and all of the other many great opportunities before classes begin, but international students still have more than 2.5 months to schedule and obtain a visa. Students enrolling at schools that begin in August are getting very anxious and it is easy for UW students to get caught up in that, but you can help us remind them that they have more time and it is still okay.

We cannot guarantee they will get their visa and there is the possibility additional visa screening will cause further processing delays, but it is too early for us to know and too early to hit the panic button. We do know the embassies and consulates have started scheduling visa interviews and we know students have even recently been successfully approved for visas. , so we are hopeful visas will be issued in time for autumn quarter enrollment.

As always, we will continue to update the ISS Government Updates page and send out updates to the adviser listserves when new information is available. We appreciate your help supporting the international student community at the UW and we appreciate your support of the ISS team over the challenging last 6 months!

Enjoy the upcoming summer months and let us know if you have questions.

Best,

Kim

Kim Lovaas, she/her

Director of International Student Services

Enrollment Management