ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International Student Services (ISS)
International Student Services (ISS) is your main resource on campus and has advisors who can assist you with visa, social and employment issues. Visit their website for more information at iss.wisc.edu or to schedule an appointment.
Student Visas
Graduate Admissions issues the federal I-20 form for initial F-1 Visa procurement. Initial J-1 Visa document (DS-2019) is handled by International Student Services (ISS). The Graduate Admissions office sometimes must collect financial information for the DS-2019, which is then forwarded to ISS. After the student is enrolled, all Visa matters are handled by ISS.
Documents required of new international students
Many students are admitted with a condition that they submit their final academic documents after arrival on campus. Please submit your documents to the admissions office at 232 Bascom Hall. Or departments may collect the documents and send them to the admissions office via campus mail. The admissions requirements page grad.wisc.edu/admissions/requirements/ has a drop down menu under “degrees” which lists the documents required for each country.
Students with ESL requirements
Any student who was admitted with a TOEFL score below 92, or an IELTS score below 6.5 will be required to take the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) english.wisc.edu/esl/eslat-exam.html and any required English course during their first semester.
Funding for International Students
International students are eligible for Teaching, Project, and Research Assistantships on campus as well as university fellowships through the Graduate School. They may not be employed more than 20 hours per week on campus while enrolled full-time.
New international students with assistantships should work with International Students Services to obtain a social security number (iss.wisc.edu/employment/social-security). New students with fellowships and no other appointment types are not considered employees and are not eligible for social security numbers. These students should work with ISS to obtain an International Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN, iss.wisc.edu/employment/itin).