Scholar Visas

Expanded Screening of Visa Applicants

Under new guidance, the Department of State will conduct 聽of all student and exchange visitor applicants, including reviewing online presence. Visa applicants will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to 鈥減ublic.鈥

  • All F, M, or J visa applicants (new or renewal/returning) who are 鈥渙therwise eligible,鈥 will initially be refused a visa under INA section 221(g) and referred for further review.
    • This does not mean a visa application will necessarily be denied but it is likely that the processing time will be extended to accommodate the additional vetting.

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Change in Deptartment of State policy: Visa interviews required

The 聽a change in the interview waiver policy for visa applicant effective September 2, 2025. The updated guidance聽ends waivers of the visa interviews for most visa applicants.

  • In-person interviews will be required聽for the majority of visa categories (including F-1, H-1B, J-1, and O-1).
  • Interviews will be required for both new applicants and听迟丑辞蝉别 applying to renew their visas.

Prospective scholars (researchers, lecturers, student interns) must work directly with a university department/unit to determine sponsorship opportunities. If a department/unit is interested in sponsoring an international scholar, the department will contact ISSS directly to initiate visa sponsorship. Please do not contact ISSS directly.

Scholar Visas for Working at 91福利社

Student-Status Related Visas

  • Student (F-1 status) on post-completion OPT
  • Student (F-1 status) on STEM extension of OPT (91福利社 is an e-verify employer)
  • Student (J-1 status) eligible for Academic Training

University-Sponsored Scholar Visas

Below is a list of visa types the university commonly uses to sponsor visiting scholars.

Additional Visa Options

Honorarium Payments

Foreign nationals in B-1, B-2, VWB, and VWT status may accept an honorarium and/or reimbursement of travel expenses under the following conditions:

  • For a single academic activity or short series academic activities" (e.g., lecturing, teaching, and sharing of knowledge or performance)
  • 9 days or less at 91福利社
  • The individual has accepted such payment from no more than 5 educational or research institutions (including the UW)
  • In the previous six-month period.

Contact the for further information about payment and tax implications.