Category: Visas

The University of Washington is deeply committed to supporting international scholars in building successful, fulfilling experiences while at the UW. As part of that commitment, International Scholars Operations (ISO) is updating the minimum funding requirement for J-1 exchange visitors to better reflect the cost of living in Seattle.This update reflects a long-term effort to align funding expectations with actual living expenses and help international scholars plan for a successful start at the UW.

Effective July 1, 2025, ISO will raise the minimum required funding for J-1 exchange visitors from $2100 to $2500 per month. ISO last changed this requirement in 2017; since then, federal data shows a 35% increase in consumer good prices and other significant cost-of-living changes for the greater Seattle area. ISO believes that this new funding floor better reflects the current costs of living in Seattle, and will support incoming J-1 scholars who do not receive UW salary in communicating to their funding sources how much money they actually need to live and thrive in the United States. ISO does not expect to revisit this funding floor for several years.

ISO will apply this new minimum to any J visa request submitted on or after July 1st, 2025. The minimum monthly funding required for J-2 dependents will not change. See our J-1 funding page for more information, and contact us at acadvisa@uw.edu with any questions.

This communication was sent to all UW-sponsored, active J-1 scholars on April 1, 2025.

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Dear J-1 scholars,

We are aware of reports from other institutions that some F-1 and J-1 student visas have been canceled by the U.S. government and F-1 and J-1 immigration records are being terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). At the time of this communication, no SEVIS records have been terminated by the U.S. government for J-1 exchange visitors sponsored through ISO.

We understand that this information as well as recent news stories can be alarming for members of the international community. ISO wants to assure you that ISO and University leadership are continuing to monitor the situation closely. ISO is checking SEVIS regularly and will contact any J-1 scholar directly if there is a change to their SEVIS record by the U.S. government.

University officials are not receiving any notifications from the government when they terminate the SEVIS record, but we have heard from other schools that students/exchange visitors receive an email from the embassy or consulate where their visa was issued. If you receive an email from the embassy, consulate, or any other official U.S. government office stating your J visa has been cancelled and you should depart the U.S., please contact ISO as soon as possible so we can review your SEVIS record and provide you with additional information.

How can I check my SEVIS record? What else can I do to make sure my status is okay? 

Scholars cannot access the SEVIS immigration system directly. The best thing you can do to ensure your status remains active is to remain compliant with the requirements for your visa. ISO recommends the following for J-1 exchange visitors:

• Carry originals or color photocopies of your current immigration documents (passport with visa stamp, DS-2019, and I-94 record) at all times, even when in the U.S. This is required to show you were legally admitted to the U.S.

• Monitor your UW email, join our International Scholars mailing list, and read the International Scholars newsletter for regular updates. ISO will send emails to this mailing list when we have updates, and we will directly contact any scholar if we learn that their SEVIS record has been changed by the government.
• Maintain your full-time exchange activity at UW.
• Review Know Your Rights information in case of encounters with immigration enforcement agencies.

• Report U.S. address changes to ISO within 10 days of moving. ISO will then report the address change in SEVIS. Failure to report an address change within 10 days is a violation of your immigration status.
• If you plan to extend your UW appointment, contact your department administrator at least two months before the end date on your DS-2019 to begin the extension process.

• If you need to travel internationally, carefully review our J-1 Travel page to prepare for requirements and potential delays or challenges you could encounter upon re-entry. You are also encouraged to register your international travel with Global Affairs.

The University leadership, faculty, staff and entire UW community are here to support our international scholar community. We are working with colleagues across the country to better understand the events taking place and will continue to post updates with any new information we receive. Please contact us with any questions you have.

Sincerest regards,

URSULA ELSPETH OWEN (she/her/hers)

International Scholars Operations Manager

Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty (APF)

Effective January 1, 2025, the following visa-related fee changes will apply:

• Visa request fees for J-1s, H-1Bs, TNs, and E-3s will increase to $580 (from $562).
• Amendment fees for J-1 documents (DS-2019s) will increase to $107 (from $105).
• O-1 and EB-1B hourly visa case management fees will decrease to $117 (from $140).

Visa requests that are conditionally approved on or after January 1, 2025, will be charged the new rate. These increases will appear on invoices issued on or after January 2.

Please note that all fees associated with H-1B, E-3, TN, and O-1/EB-1B petitions, including the $580 visa request fee, are paid by the host department and cannot be passed on to the international scholar.

For J-1 scholars who are not members of the UAW Postdoctoral Scholars Local 4121, as well as all J-2 dependents, reimbursement may be requested by the department from scholars for the $580 visa request fee and the $107 J-1 amendment fee. The new UAW 4121 2023-25 contract prevents units from requesting reimbursement for J-1 visa fees from postdoctoral scholars.

These fees will apply through June 30, 2025. Units should expect that fees will change again effective July 1, 2025.

For more information on visa processing fees and U.S. government visa fees, see the Visa Fees page. Contact ISO with any questions regarding this announcement.