Congratulations on your admission to UW-Madison!

We are glad you have chosen to become a Global Badger (University of Wisconsin-Madison International Student)! The following will provide helpful information for you. Please take a few moments to explore the links!

First, please check “8 Steps to Becoming a UW-Madison International Student” guide to follow after your admission.

8 Steps to Becoming a UW-Madison International Student

Are you traveling to Madison from outside the United States? If yes, you must have a COVID-19 test done within 72 hours of your flight and show proof of a negative result in order to travel to the U.S. For more travel guidance, please check our please check our COVID-19 Updates page.

Request Your Immigration Document (I-20/DS-2019)

Step 1: Will you attend as an F-1 or J-1 student? Over 90% of our students come on an F-1 student visa. You can review our F/J comparison chart.
Step 2: Prepare your financial documents as required by the U.S. government to issue your immigration document. Review our Estimated Expenses document.
Step 3: Click the link below that describes your situation and log-in to Terra Dotta. Read the instructions. Submit your request.

F-1 Students:

F-1 New Student

Request an Initial Attendance I-20

You are outside the U.S. applying for an F-1 student visa (citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need to apply for an F-1 student visa, but you still need an I-20). Re-entry admission students are eligible.

Please also check the Step-by-Step Chart for Fall 2021 Guidance for New International Students

F-1 SEVIS Transfer-in Student

Request a Transfer Pending I-20

You study at a U.S. secondary or post-secondary institution as an F-1 student. Your current F-1 I-20 SEVIS record is in “active” status. The transfer of your current SEVIS record must be completed before the end of your 60-day grace period. Your last date of enrollment or I-20 program end date must be 5 months or less from the semester start date for which you are admitted.
If you are on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or OPT STEM Extension, your last date of employment or maximum 90th day of unemployment must be 5 months or less from the start date of the semester for which you are admitted at UW-Madison.
You can be inside or outside of the U.S. If you are outside the U.S. and your current F-1 visa is expired, you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa with your UW-Madison I-20.

Please also check the Step-by-Step Chart for Fall 2021 Guidance for New International Students

F-1 Student Returning to UW-Madison from Leave of Absence

Returning to UW-Madison from Leave of Absence

You took a temporary absence and your last date of enrollment at UW-Madison was 5 months ago or less. Your UW-Madison I-20 SEVIS record was terminated for “authorized early withdrawal”.
Re-entry admission students are not eligible for a return from Leave of Absence and must follow the F-1 New Student – Request an Initial Attendance I-20 process to obtain their I-20.

If your SEVIS record was successfully reactivated after a Leave of Absence, then please check the Fall 2021 Guidance for Continuing International Students

If you were not eligible for SEVIS reactivation, and you have a new Initial Attendance I-20, then please check the Step-by-Step Chart for Fall 2021 Guidance for New International Students

F-1 Change of Education Level Student

You studied at UW-Madison as an F-1 student. Your current F-1 I-20 SEVIS record is in “active” status. The update to your current SEVIS record must be completed before the end of your 60-day grace period. Your last date of enrollment or I-20 program end date must be 5 months or less from the semester start date for which you are admitted.
If you are on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or OPT STEM Extension, your last date of employment or maximum 90th day of unemployment must be 5 months or less from the start date of the semester for which you are admitted at UW-Madison.
You can be inside or outside of the U.S. If you are outside the U.S. and your current F-1 visa is expired, you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa with your Change of Education Level I-20.

Please also check the Step-by-Step Chart for Change of Level International Students

Change of U.S. Visa Status to F-1 or J-1

Change of U.S. Visa Status to F-1 or J-1

You are currently in the U.S. with a visa status that is not F-1 or J-1 student. You must coordinate your change of status with an ISS Advisor at UW-Madison.
Examples of current status: F-2, J-2, H4, L-2

J-1 Students:

J-1 New Student

Request an Initial Attendance DS-2019

You are outside the U.S. applying for a J-1 student visa (exchange visitor). Re-entry admission students are eligible.

J-1 SEVIS Transfer-in Student

Request a Transfer DS-2019

You study at a U.S. post-secondary institution as a J-1 student. Your current J-1 DS-2019 SEVIS record is in “active” status. This is a long process and requires you to meet with an ISS advisor at UW-Madison and your current DS-2019 sponsor. The transfer of your current SEVIS record must be completed before your DS-2019 program end date. Your last date of enrollment or DS-2019 program end date must be 5 months or less from the semester start date for which you are admitted.
If you are outside the U.S., you must apply for a new J-1 visa with your UW-Madison DS-2019.

J-1 Change of Education Level Student

You study at UW-Madison as an J-1 student. Your current J-1 DS-2019 SEVIS record is in “active” status and it is before your program end date. You can only move up in education levels. It is not possible to change your education level to a lower degree level, or to move from non-degree(exchange or visiting student) to degree-seeking (to earn a degree from UW-Madison).

English as a Second Language (ESL) Student