The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) supports international students and scholars, including faculty members, research associates, postdoctoral research fellows, visiting scholars or physicians. OISS provides information to assist you in obtaining a visa, arriving on campus and adjusting to life in St. Louis.

Key Resources

Frequently Asked Questions and OISS Forms

Find answers to commonly asked questions by international students and necessary forms.

Obtaining a Visa

Obtaining or renewing your visa is a key component of your successful stay in the U.S.

Planning for U.S. Arrival

F-1 or J-1 international students are required to arrive at WashU by the form I-20 or DS-2019 start date. This will allow you to participate in the mandatory new international student orientation programs.

Brown School: New Student Guide for International Students

Find Brown School’s resources for incoming international students.

Overseas Programs: Pre-arrival information for exchange students

Prepare for your arrival as an exchange student with resources from Overseas Programs.

After U.S. arrival for International Students

After you arrive in St. Louis, see the steps to take to make sure you get off to a smooth start.

Orientation programs for International Students

Orientation programs at WashU provide information and experiences that will help to ease your transition.

Campus involvement for International Graduate students

Connect with others in our international community at WashU.

The Graduate Center

The Graduate Center offers dedicated spaces, programming, resources and more for graduate and professional students at WashU.

After U.S. Arrival for International Students

After you arrive in St. Louis, see the steps to take to make sure you get off to a smooth start.

Job Opportunities on Campus

All on-campus positions are posted in Handshake and managed by the Career Center. 

F-1 Student Employment and Training

F-1 students are allowed to work on campus for no more than 20 hours per week during the regular semester, but may be employed full time during breaks between semesters, if the student is eligible and intends to enroll for the next semester. There are also two types of practical training for F‑1 students: curricular practical training and optional practical training.

English Language Support for Academic and Professional Communication

Courses to help you enhance your English language skills for academic and professional communication are offered throughout the university.

Social Security Numbers for F-1 & J-1 International Students

Find information on how to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).

Health Care & Insurance for International Students

Learn about how health care and insurance works in the U.S.

Filing Taxes in the U.S.

Find important resources and instructions for filing taxes in the U.S.

U.S. Tax Obligations for International Students & Scholars

Learn about how to file your taxes as an international student or scholar.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Career Resources

Prepare for life after WashU with these helpful Career Resources for International Students.

GoinGlobal

Get help finding job and internship opportunities both at home and abroad. GoinGlobal’s H1B Plus database provides millions of visa application listings for American employers seeking to hire international talent in the United States.

Immihelp

Articles and information on immigration and life as an international student.

Office of International Students and Scholars – Employment & Training

The status-specific resource pages provide comparisons of the types of employment for which F-1 and J-1 students may be eligible, depending on each student’s individual circumstances. Always consult an international student advisor at the Office for International Students and Scholars before accepting any job offer or starting employment.

Career Center’s Four Year Plan for International Students 

Check out this resource for a list of helpful things to do while attending WashU.

Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) 

An F-1 student is eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for use during (pre-completion) and after (post-completion) the completion of the program. Students are eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT for each level of education completed. Students who have completed degrees in specific science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields may, in certain cases, be eligible for a STEM OPT Extension.

H-1B Temporary Workers

If interested in exploring career paths at WashU, learn more about the H-1B visa category and conditions for WashU sponsorship.

Contacts

Check-in at the OISS Office
  • Danforth Campus
    Danforth University Center (DUC), Suite 330
    6475 Forsyth Blvd.
    St. Louis, MO 63105