International Student Services

Initial I-20 Request

International Student Portal

  • The International Student Portal is where you will make all F-1 related requests, including your request for an initial I-20.
  • If you are a new UWB student, you must first be invited to the portal. We will not invite you until your enrollment deposit is paid. You should receive an invitation email to your UW email address within 48 hours.
  • If you are a continuing UWB student changing visa category, please contact ISS via email (uwbintl@uw.edu). See instructions for changing to F-1 status here.
  • If you are a returning UWB student, see the returning student instructions.

Completing the request

  • Upload all necessary documents. Ensure that all documents are clear and high quality.
  • Check all personal and program information details. Many fields are freely editable. If something is not editable and showing incorrect information, please email uwbintl@uw.edu.
  • Provide your complete foreign address and phone number.

Once you have submitted the request, an advisor will review it within 3 business days and will process your I-20 within 7 – 10 business days. If there are any issues, we will contact you via your UW email.

Financial Support Requirement

The financial support requirement is met by showing proof of acceptable financial resources to cover tuition & fees, living expenses, mandatory UW Health Insurance, and other course and campus fees for one academic year.

Minimum financial support amounts

Amounts are typically updated in July each year.

  • Undergraduate Student: $69,720
  • Graduate Student:
    • Accounting: $59,205
    • Computer Science & Software Engineering: $56,565
    • Creative Writing & Poetics: $51,045
    • Cyber Security & Engineering: $56,565
    • Education: $60,639
    • Electrical Engineering: $58,395
    • MBA (Leadership / Technology): $60,624
    • Nursing: $60,063
    • Policy Studies: $60,639
  • Spouse/Children: Students declaring dependents (spouse and/or children only) must show additional proof of financial support. The financial documents must show an additional 35% of living and other expenses. This total is currently $9,297.

Acceptable financial support documents

All documents must be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation from a bank, credit union, or lender.

  • A bank statement or bank letter
    • Can be from a personal or family checking or savings account.
    • Must be dated within last 3 months.
    • Must be on the bank letterhead.
    • Statements and letters must indicate the currency used, account holder name, account holder address, bank name, and bank address.
    • Letters must be stamped and signed by a bank official.
  • Certificates of deposits & fixed deposits
    • Must indicate available cash.
    • Must be dated within last 3 months.
  • Fixed term certificates of deposit & bonds
    • Maturity date or fund availability must be before or on your program start date.
  • Certified education loans & private student loans
    • The ISS course registration hold can be lifted if certification requires course enrollment.
      • All other registration holds will remain and must be handled separately by the department that issued the hold.
    • Must not be conditional.
    • Must be available by your program start date.
    • More information about private student loans can be found here.
  • Scholarship award letter
    • Must not be conditional.
    • If specified, must match program of study.
    • Must be available by program start date.

Unacceptable financial support documents

  • Transaction histories
  • Salary statements
  • Salary promises
  • Stock market funds
  • Business accounts
  • Insurance policies
  • Home/land value documents
  • Retirement funds