International Student Resources

With nearly 4,000 international students on campus, the University of Wisconsin–Madison has one of the largest international enrollments among U.S. colleges and universities.

We hope you will feel at home! A variety of resources is available to assist international students with their transition to academic life in the United States.

Office of International Student Services (ISS)

The Office of International Students Services (ISS) is a campus resource that assists international students in their transition to academic life in the U.S. ISS works with international students to ensure they and their families maintain their nonimmigrant status. ISS staff sponsor orientation activities and serve as liaisons to departments and student organizations.

International Student Services
716 Langdon Street, Room 217
Madison, WI 53706
608-262-2044
Fax: 608-262-2838
iss@studentlife.wisc.edu

Learn more about ISS »

Madison Friends of International Students

The Madison Friends of International Students (MFIS) is a volunteer organization comprised of members of the Madison community who wish to befriend and assist international students, scholars, and their families. Volunteers provide housing for newly arrived international students for up to three nights while they are looking for housing. MFIS sponsors welcome events, English classes for spouses, and friendship groups.

Madison Friends of International Students
716 Langdon Street, Room 149
Madison, WI 53706
608-263-4010
info@mfismadison.org

Career Management for International Students

The career management team for MBA and Master’s Programs are pleased to offer specialized services to international students, including assistance with career development, résumé writing, interviewing skills, and independent job searches.

Throughout the academic year, there will be numerous workshops and seminar series on important topics, based on students’ needs.

Your Student Visa

To enter the United States, you will need a student visa, usually an F-1. UW-Madison’s International Student Services Office is your go-to for visa related questions. To apply for your visa, you will need to schedule an interview appointment at an American consulate or embassy. To schedule your appointment, you will need to have received from UW-Madison’s International Student Services Office a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Form I-20. Because most consulates and embassies schedule visa interview appointments several weeks (and sometimes even months) in advance, it is essential to start this process as early as possible.

If you have not already done so, please submit a request for your I-20 through the Terra Dotta portal via your MyUW Student Center, which will be your student immigration portal during your time as an F-1 or J-1 student at UW–Madison. You must accept your offer of admission before you can set up your Terra Dotta account.

Upon receipt of your I-20, contact your embassy or consulate to schedule your interview appointment. Then read page two of your I-20 carefully.

Make sure you understand the conditions placed on your admission to the U.S., and then sign the student certification (item 11) at the bottom of page one of the form. Be prepared to provide copies of your financial support documents at your visa interview. When you arrive in the U.S., officials may examine your financial documents again and then return them to you. Keep your Form I-20 with your passport, along with the Form I-94.

Requesting Your I-20

Terra Dotta Instructions for Newly Admitted International Students, F-1 Incoming Transfer Students, and Reentry Students

Steps to obtain your F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019 to attend UW-Madison as an F-1 or J-1 student. Read a comparison of the two visa types »

1. Log in to MyUW using your NetID and password. This is the same login information you used to apply to UW-Madison.
2. Search for “Terra Dotta.” Add Terra Dotta to home. Terra Dotta is your student immigration portal during your time as an F-1 or J-1 student at UW-Madison. Alternatively, you can go to Terra Dotta directly.
3. Open Terra Dotta. If you are prompted to log in to Terra Dotta, click “Login“ at the top right corner of the screen and sign-in with your NetID and password.
4. Select “Incoming Students“.
5. Carefully read through your options. Select the request that best describes your situation.
6. Follow all the instructions to complete your I-20 or DS-2019 request. You will be required to upload a copy of your passport biographical page and financial documentation.
   • View the estimated expenses you will need to show for your financial documentation. Assistantship, fellowship, and scholarship letters can be used.
     • J-1 Exchange Students (IAP, WSB, ENGR, CALS): You are required to upload financial documentation covering only living expenses and health insurance.
   • F-1 Students: The Transfer Verification Request is required if you are transferring your F-1 SEVIS record to UW-Madison.
   • J-1 Students: Send the Electronic Verification Request to your UW-Madison exchange advisor or Graduate Program Coordinator/advisor in your department.
7. Click the Submit button at the top of your application once all steps are complete. Your application will not be received unless you submit!
8. Read all emails from tds_do_not_reply@studentlife.wisc.edu as you may receive updates regarding your Terra Dotta request from this email address.

Visa Transfer or Change of Status

If you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, you must request the transfer of your SEVIS record to the University of Wisconsin–Madison from your current or most recent school. Complete the Transfer Verification Request in Terra Dotta. Provide your international student advisor’s contact information from your previous school. You must complete this step to notify UW–Madison that you are a SEVIS Transfer student. Once your previous school releases your SEVIS record and UW–Madison has received all required admissions materials from you, your admitting unit will issue you a “transfer pending” I-20. Check with Admissions for further guidance. There will be several orientation events before the start date of your I-20/DS-2019, including the mandatory ISS check-in and International Student Orientation. Plan to arrive 2-3 days before your earliest orientation.

If you are in the U.S. on an F-2 visa, you must request and be approved for a change of status to F-1 before you may legally begin classes. You will apply for a change of status through U.S. Customs and Immigration Service after you have received your I-20 from UW–Madison. To request your I-20, complete and submit through the Terra Dotta portal via your MyUW Student Center.

Approval of your change of status can take several months from the time you receive your I-20 and submit your application to the USCIS.

If you are in the U.S. on an H visa, you may take classes, but you may not accept a teaching or project assistantship, nor participate in any paid internships.

The Wisconsin MBA Program strongly prefers that you have F-1 status in order to compete for and accept an internship. Follow the instructions above for F visa holders to initiate your request for a change from H status.

If you plan to leave the U.S. before coming to Madison, check your passport and visa stamp to be certain that they are valid. Present your UW–Madison Form I-20 and financial support documents to the immigration officials at your point of entry.

You must attend the university specified on the Form I-20 you present for entry into the U.S. Do not use the Form I-20 of any school other than the one you plan to attend. Decide carefully which school you wish to attend and carry only the Form I-20 from that school when you apply for your visa and at the port of entry. Please contact the MBA and Master’s Programs office if you have any additional questions about the I-20 process.

J-1 Student Visa

Present the Form DS-2019 to an American consulate general or embassy to apply for the visa. Be prepared to provide copies of your financial support documents at this time and at the port of entry. Carefully read page two of the DS-2019 Form and sign at the bottom of page one, making sure you understand the conditions placed on your admission to the U.S.

When you arrive in the U.S., the border officials will examine your DS-2019 Form, which they will stamp and return to you. Keep your I-94 in your passport, along with the Form IAP-66.