International Students

Virtual Classes

International students outside the United States do not need a visa for a virtual class. However, international students already in the United States with an F-1 Visa should consult with International Student Services to learn how to attend WISLI. You may email ISS directly with any visa questions: iss@iss.wisc.edu.

In-person Courses

If you are an international student planning to enroll in an in-person course at WISLI, you will need a document called an “I-20.”

Students already in the U.S. enrolled at another university may already have this document.

However, if you are not urrently enrolled in another U.S. institution, you will need to obtain this document through UW-Madison.

Please note that these visa requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens attending a non-US institution who want to study through WISLI.

To Obtain an I-20 through UW-Madison:

You will need an I-20 to receive an F-1 Visa for in-person courses..  But first, you must show that you have adequate funds to cover the cost of your tuition, housing, and health insurance. You will need to provide evidence of financial support as soon as possible, as it can take several months to complete all these steps.  

International Student Services (ISS) is a helpful resource for additional information for UW-Madison international students: ISS webpage – for Special Students at WISLI. You may email ISS directly with any visa questions: iss@iss.wisc.edu.

Once you receive our I-20, you will need to apply for the F-1 visa stamp at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. F-1 visa holders may enter the U.S. 30 days before the start of their WISLI program and could stay as long as 60 days after the program ends.

Health Insurance

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has mandated that all international students and their dependents in the United States be enrolled in UW-Madison’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). International students attending a WISLI program must either enroll in the UW Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or sign the SHIP waiver.

For SHIP costs and further information, please review the SHIP for International Students website or contact them at University Health Services (+1-608-265-5232).

International students should check their wisc.edu email address (or have it forwarded to another account) for any insurance- or visa-related communications from UW-Madison.

Timeline

All applications to WISLI must be completed and submitted by March 1 to help ensure that your visa will be processed in time. Any applications from international students received after March 1 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for the likelihood of being able to go through the visa process in time.

(Note: The entry process for Canadian citizens differs for citizens of other countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

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I am a not a U.S. citizen but am already enrolled in a degree program in the United States. Do I need a visa?

Do you already have an I-20 issued for your current institution? If so, then you won’t need a separate visa to attend a WISLI program. Please be sure to enter your information correctly in the WISLI application.

I am not a U.S. citizen but am currently outside the United States. Do I need a visa?

Not if your WISLI course is online. If you plan to participate in an in-person course, we can help!

If you are a Canadian citizen, you’ll need an I-20 but not a visa. Citizens from all other countries will need an I-20 and a visa. Please be sure to apply to WISLI early so we can make sure you can get your I-20/visa in plenty of time.

I am a U.S. citizen but am enrolled in a degree program outside of the US. Do I need a visa or anything?

Nope! Once admitted, you just need to make plans to come to enroll in WISLI.

I am not a U.S. citizen and my course will be run in a synchronous online format. Do I need a visa?

Great question! If you will not be traveling to the US for your study, you will not need an I-20 or a visa to participate in the program.

What if I am coming from Canada for an in-person class?

If you are a Canadian citizen, you will need to follow the process to obtain an I-20, but you won’t need a visa to enter the U.S. If you are in Canada but are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you’ll need to follow the process for non-US citizens coming from an international location, and you’ll need the I-20 and visa.

What is the difference between an I-20 and a visa?

An I-20 is a document that UW-Madison will issue after you have been admitted to WISLI.

The I-20 proves that you will attend an eligible program in the United States and allows you to get a nonimmigrant visa at your local embassy if required. Canadian citizens need an I-20 but not a visa.

All other citizens will need their I-20 AND a visa. The I-20 is necessary to get the visa, and the visa is necessary to enter the United States,  except for Canadian citizens.

How do I get an I-20 for an in-person WISLI class?

First you’ll have to be admitted to your WISLI program. Once you receive that admission, you’ll be given instructions to apply to be admitted to UW-Madison and to request your I-20 immigration documents through the Terra Dotta portal. You will need information specific to your admission to UW-Madison in order to start this process so please do not access Terra Dotta until you have been admitted to UW-Madison and have your NetID.

*See below for what materials you need to apply for an I-20*

What will I need to apply for an I-20?

  • Copy of the biographical page of your passport
  • Financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds to cover your costs while in the US
  • A letter showing any tuition remission offered by your WISLI program. We will prepare this for you, but please feel free to remind us if you are ready for it!

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a US government database used to administer the processing of F, J, and M visas through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). All applicants for a nonimmigrant student visa to the US must pay a SEVIS fee prior to obtaining a visa. More information about this will come once you are admitted to UW-Madison for the summer.

What happens after I'm admitted to WISLI at UW-Madison for an in-person class?

Once you have been accepted to a WISLI program, you will apply to become a special student at UW-Madison (we’ll tell you how). This is when you’ll get information about obtaining an I-20 and visa. If you need an I-20 and visa, here are the steps you’ll need to take.

(But please do not start these until you have been admitted to UW-Madison! Starting them early could slow down your I-20 application process.):

  1. Receive 10-digit campus ID by email and activate your MyUW.
  2. Read your Admissions email carefully.
  3. Request your I-20 immigration documents via the Terra Dotta portal (here’s where you’ll need all those documents).
  4. Activate your WiscMail email addressin your MyUW account. Your wisc.edu email address will be used for all official university communications, so be sure to check it frequently throughout your time at UW-Madison.
  5. Enroll in your WISLI classes as soon as you are eligible (typically early to mid-April).
  6. Understand enrollment deadlines, academic policies, refund policies, and fees.
    1. Review the International Student Fee one-page fact sheet to learn more about who gets charged a fee and what these funds support.
  7. Research the visa application process, pay your SEVIS fee and schedule an appointment with the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.
  8. Research housing possibilities. You may also receive information about this from your WISLI program coordinator.
  9. Understand mandatory health insurance requirements. You may purchase SHIP or file a waiver when you arrive.
  10. Research the airports, orientation date, and arrival information.