International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides leadership in international education and intercultural learning through services to international students and scholars, their dependents, the University, and the surrounding community. 

ISSS is more than the "immigration" office.  Although helping international students and scholars with immigration issues is a significant part of our work, with nearly 9,000 in-person visits to advisors each year and thousands of electronic forms processed, we are also heavily involved in intercultural and adjustment programming for students and scholars, providing cultural competency and intercultural awareness training for staff and faculty, and supporting the Iowa City area community to be a welcoming place for international visitors.

Appointments

Meet with an ISSS adviser during our virtual and in-person advising hours.

2025 Federal Updates

Review any changes that may affect international students in F or J status.

International student on campus walking and talking

Current Students (F-1)

Stay informed on current policies and procedures related to maintaining status, travel, inviting family to the U .S., and more.

person teaching at front of classroom

Scholars (J-1)

Find information to make it easier for you to focus on your intellectual pursuits.

students on UI campus with arms around each other

Exchange Students (J-1)

If you are participating in an exchange or sponsored program, check out this information specific to your needs.

students smiling with Herky holding bubble te

 

New to University of Iowa?

Find information that is geared towards you.  View pre-departure webinars for new international students, learn how to get here, and discover the many academic and cultural resources available to you.  

Get new student information

ISSS News

International students at Iowa share the meals they miss from home

Tuesday, July 8, 2025
International students at the University of Iowa share the comfort foods from their home countries that they miss the most.
Duong (Jun) Le playing piano

Pianist Duong (Jun) Le awarded the 2025 Peace, Charlie One World Scholarship

Friday, May 23, 2025
Duong (Jun) Le, a recent UI graduate from Vietnam, has been awarded the 2025 Peace, Charlie One World Scholarship. As she begins her master’s in piano pedagogy at Iowa, Le continues her mission to promote intercultural understanding through the unifying power of music.
Shuhui Lin and Gabby Kang at Hawkeye Excellence Awards

Congratulations to IP's Shuhui Lin and Gabby Kang, recipients of 2025 Hawkeye Excellence Awards

Monday, May 5, 2025
Gabby Kang, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) peer assistant, received a Tom Rocklin Meet the Challenge Award, and Shuhui Lin, ISSS international education program and student affairs advisor, received the Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award.

Events

Engaging Across Cultures: Introduction to Engaging Across Cultures promotional image

Engaging Across Cultures: Introduction to Engaging Across Cultures

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Virtual
Instructor: Brandon Paulson, Associate Director, International Student and Scholar ServicesDescription:This introduction session will introduce the Engaging Across Cultures certificate program and share an overview of the international student population at the University of Iowa. Participants will have opportunity to learn about culture and the cultural adjustment experienced when living in a new culture. Participants will examine their own cultural lens and how it influences their interactions...
Free Coffee Hour: Self-Care DIY promotional image

Free Coffee Hour: Self-Care DIY

Friday, October 3, 2025 1:30pm to 2:30pm
University Capitol Centre
Take a break, treat yourself, and enjoy free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate on us!
Building our Global Community: An Introduction to Federal Regulations Affecting International Students promotional image

Building our Global Community: An Introduction to Federal Regulations Affecting International Students

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Virtual
Instructors: Pauline Beazer James, Senior Advisor, International Student and Scholar Services, and Kevin Roiseland, Senior Advisor, International Student and Scholar ServicesDescription:Immigration laws regulate many aspects of international students' lives, including entry to the United States, the conditions under which they may remain in this country and re-enter after traveling abroad, and eligibility for immigration benefits such as employment and extension of stay. This session will...
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Student Listserv

Don't miss out on ISSS activities for students and scholars

Department Listserv

For UI staff and faculty who work with international students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas

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