J-1 exchange visitors new to the UW (including those transferring from another institution in the U.S.) must receive an orientation and be validated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) no later than 30 days after the program start date indicated in Part 3 of the DS-2019 form. Exchange visitors must go through this orientation so that their arrival on campus can be reported to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as required by federal law.

Updated Check-In Procedures

ISO has discontinued in-person check-in sessions due to ongoing campus closures related to the novel coronavirus outbreak. All check-in requirements can be met by remote orientation and validation.

Exchange visitors should email acadvisa@uw.edu to request a remote check-in and validation as soon as possible after arrival in the United States. Exchange visitors will be required to review orientation information and complete a form confirming their arrival and providing all U.S. contact information; this form also requires a signature from their UW faculty sponsor confirming that they have arrived on campus. Once the form is completed and signed, the exchange visitor will return it to ISO along with the following documents:

Upon receipt of all documents, ISO will validate the exchange visitor’s record in SEVIS. Failure to be validated in SEVIS within 30 days of the start date on the DS-2019 causes automatic revocation of the exchange visitor’s lawful J-1 status and may lead to detention and deportation if not remedied immediately.