We welcome students from around the world to study at Friday Harbor Labs! If you are a non-U.S. student, please read through this page carefully.
Refer to these U.S. Government pages for information: About Student Visas and the Steps for Obtaining a Student Visa. If you still have general questions about visas, contact University of Washington International and English Language Programs (IELP) in Seattle (phone 206-543-6242, email askielp@uw.edu).
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
All international students must be admitted to a course at FHL before they can apply for documents to enter the U.S. FHL Academic Services will provide information about how to apply for these documents AFTER a student has been admitted and has confirmed that they will be attending.
Most international students attending a course at FHL will need an F-1 Student Visa, which is for students enrolled and earning credits for a university course. A visitor or tourist visa is not appropriate, nor does the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (for citizens of specific countries traveling for tourism or business) apply.
With an F-1 Student Visa, students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date of the FHL course, and may stay in the U.S. for up to 60 days after the course ends.
To get an F-1 Student Visa, students must first obtain an I-20 Form and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
CANADIANS do not need to obtain a Student Visa but are required to have a Form I-20 and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee; they should present the form and proof of payment for the SEVIS fee when entering the U.S., either at the border if they are driving or at the airport if they are flying.
The procedures required to obtain a Student Visa can take a month or more, so begin the process as soon as you have been admitted to an FHL course!
Washington State law requires that all international students have accidental injury and illness insurance while they attend UW, including FHL. If you do not have insurance, FHL Student Services can direct you on how to purchase temporary insurance covering your time at FHL.
ADDITIONAL COSTS TO EXPECT
(beyond Course Costs)
In US Dollars; see further details below for explanations.
$350 SEVIS I-901 fee
$185 F-1 Student Visa fee
Cost of accidental injury & illness insurance
Student Visa & Form I-20
Required for non-U.S. students entering the U.S. for participation in an FHL program
PROCEDURES
1) After you are admitted into the course and have confirmed that you will be attending, submit a document called a “Request for I-20 Form” to University of Washington. See the bottom of this page for details!
2) University of Washington will then provide you with the Form I-20.
3) Submit payment for the SEVIS I-901 fee. You will need information from your Form I-20 before you can complete the SEVIS payment. See SEVIS payment instructions. After you make the payment, print off the SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation and keep with your Form I-20. The SEVIS fee must be paid and fully processed before you arrive at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy for your visa interview.
4) All non-U.S. students except Canadians: After obtaining a Form I-20 and paying the SEVIS I-901 fee, apply for an F-1 Student Visa in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. When you visit the embassy or consulate, you will need to bring your Form I-20, passport, and the supporting documents you provided with your Request for I-20 Form (see below).
5) Upon arrival at FHL, you will be expected to submit an online immigration form which requires copies of your I-94, Form I-20, and your UW visa. Plan to bring all documentation you collected through the visa process in case you are asked to produce any of it at a later date.
Insurance for Accidental Injury & Illness
Required for non-U.S. students participating in an FHL program (whether or not already in the U.S.),
if you do not already have insurance covering your time at FHL
PROCEDURES
1) Follow the link below to ISHIP; the UW program that partners with LifeWise Insurance.
2) Email FHL Academic Services to confirm that you have requested and paid for insurance.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING THE “REQUEST FOR I-20 FORM”
1) After you have been admitted to the course and have confirmed that you will be attending, email the Academic Services Manager to obtain the document called “Request for I-20 Form.” We will email you the document, and send a letter to the UW International Education and Language Program (IELP) verifying your attendance and expected expenses at FHL; we’ll also send you a copy of that letter, for your use when applying in person for a visa.
2) Complete and SIGN the Request for I-20 Form. For the program you are attending, write out the complete name of the course and institution, e.g. “Comparative Embryology of Invertebrates” at University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories. For program dates, be careful to list the correct dates for your program at FHL.
3) Send the following to UW IELP by email, fax, or mail to the address/number indicated on the form:
- The completed, signed document.
- A copy of the page(s) of your passport that show your picture, name, and date of birth.
- An official bank statement demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to cover the amount you will need to pay for your stay in the U.S.
- Payment information for Express Mail fee if you need the Form I-20 sent to a non-U.S. address.