February 14, 2025 Immigration Advisory

1. Need to complete an internship off campus for your degree (unpaid or paid)? Apply for CPT!
2. Visa expired
3. Deadline to drop a class for short-term courses – DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR COURSES
4. UREC parking rules, and parking overall  
5. Employment guidelines for F-1 & J-1 students 
6. Tax time! Sprintax software is available February 15

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1. Need to complete an internship off campus for your degree (unpaid or paid)? Apply for CPT!

If you need to complete an off-campus internship for your degree (examples include HBM, Sports Management, and Human Development degrees, and doctoral students who need to do research off campus), then make sure you learn more about CPT.  

CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training and is a work authorization for international students in F-1 status. It allows F-1 students to participate in paid or unpaid internships off campus when the internships are part of the degree program they are pursuing.  

Curricular Practical Training is authorized by International Student and Scholar Services only, and students are encouraged to speak with an International Student Advisor PRIOR to engaging in any activity off campus. Learn more on our Curricular Practical Training page.

*Academic English and Bridge students do NOT have the ability to apply for CPT.

2. Visa expired

If your visa (the stamp in your passport given to you by the U.S. embassy abroad) has expired, it is important to remember that you are still able to maintain valid F-1 or J-1 status in the United States with an expired visa. 

Your status is based upon the I-20/DS-2019 and your I-94, which you can access online. If your I-20/DS-2019 and the accompanying SEVIS record is still valid and your I-94 is accurate, you are in status, even with an expired visa.  

You WILL need a valid visa if you plan to exit and re-enter the United States. If you do plan to travel internationally, please note that you will need to apply for a visa renewal at a U.S. consulate abroad if your current visa has expired. It is highly recommended that you apply for a visa in the country you have permanent residency or citizenship at. We have heard reports of denials/delays for individual applying on third countries, such as Canada.

ISSS recommends that if you are in this situation (holding an expired visa, but planning to travel internationally), speak with an international student advisor or your local DSO before traveling internationally. 

There are increased delays and restrictions on visa issuance, even for visa renewals, and International and Student Services can help you prepare for these.

3. Deadline to drop a class for short-term courses – DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR COURSES 

The last day to drop a course without record has passed, BUT special short-term courses (6-, 9-, and 12-week courses) have a different deadline! Make sure to visit Office of Registrar’s page to find out the drop deadlines of those courses, otherwise you will have a W (withdraw) on your transcript!

4. UREC parking rules, and parking overall

Parking at WSU Pullman campus is not free, and you must have a permit or pay hourly for the parking spaces across campus. Please visit the WSU Transportation website for availability of monthly or daily permits. Parking violations will cause you to receive a ticket and pay a fee.

5. Employment guidelines for F-1 & J-1 students

ON CAMPUS

Students must be in lawful F-1/J-1 status to be eligible to work on campus. The primary determination of lawful status is enrollment or an authorized reduced course load. J-1 students must have permission from their J-program sponsor Responsible Officer to work on campus and must report employment and receive authorization from ISSS prior to beginning any on-campus employment (including assistantships).  

Important notes for J-1 students 

• If you applied for this authorization last semester and received a letter confirming authorization for the entire year, you are set and do not need to report again until the authorization period ends.  
• If you are sponsored by an outside organization (Fulbright, USAID), you will need to work with your sponsor to report your on-campus employment. 

F-1/J-1 students are limited to working 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Students may NOT average their hours (e.g., work 25 one week and 15 another to average 40 hours over a two-week period.) Graduate TAs/RAs who are already employed for 20 hours per week may not work additional jobs beyond the TA/RA. 

Working more than 20 hours per week is a serious violation of the F-1/J-1 student status and can result in severe consequences including loss of status and denial of future visas. WSU Human Resource Services audits your employment hours at the end of every pay period, so be aware of working hours and stay within time limits.

OFF CAMPUS

Off-campus employment is NOT ALLOWED in F-1/J-1 status unless approved by USCIS (OPT, Hardship Work Authorization, etc.) or by a DSO/ARO (CPT/Academic Training). Do not work off campus unless you have this authorization.  

Possession of a social security number does NOT grant work authorization off campus!

6. Tax time!

ISSS is partnering with WSU’s Nonresident Tax Help Group (NoRTH) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide free tax help to F-1 and J-1 students. For more details, visit this page.

The deadline to file 2024 taxes is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. 

Did you have NO Income in 2024?

F-1/J-1 students who did not earn US-based income must still file a tax form called Form 8843.  NoRTH/VITA can help with Form 8843.  After completing the form, you will need to print and mail it to:  

Department of the Treasury 
Internal Revenue Service Center 
Austin, TX 73301-0215 

Did you have US Income in 2024? 

F-1/J-1 students who were employed at WSU in 2024 will receive a report of wage earnings called Form W-2 from the Payroll Services Office.  W-2s are available after January 31.  Students should use this form to complete and submit their tax return. 

• Did you receive a scholarship for room and board or use a tax treaty benefit?  If yes, you will get a Form 1042-S.  The Payroll Services Office is required to issue Form 1042-S no later than March 15.  Form 1042-S is mailed to the address you provide in myWSU.  IMPORTANT: Make sure you wait until you receive Form 1042-S to file your taxes.  

Appointment Required

To get help from NoRTH/VITA with your taxes, you must make an appointment. Appointments are available via Zoom, but for Pullman campus students, there are only five in-person clinics available. These tax clinics are the only in-person options. 

NoRTH/VITA In-Person Tax Clinics:

1. Monday, February 24, 5:00-7:30 p.m. in SPARK 339 
2. Saturday, March 1, 1:00-3:30 p.m. in CUE 119 
3. Monday, March 24, 5:00-7:30 p.m. in SPARK 339 
4. Saturday, March 29, 1:00-3:30 p.m. in CUE 119 
5. Monday, April 7, 5:00-7:30 p.m. in SPARK 339 

How to Make an Appointment 

1. Request free membership from The NonResident Tax Help Group (NoRTH) and select Washington State University, Hoops Tax Institute
   • You must use your WSU student email address.  
2. On the “Get Help” page, scroll and click to find the calendar for the format of help you want. Look through the openings and select an available appointment using your WSU email address. 

Note: ISSS does not give tax advice or information on tax treaties. For tax help, you can make a Zoom or in-person appointment with NoRTH/VITA or ask a licensed tax professional. 

For tax questions, email NoRTH/VITA.
For general tax information, visit this page.