About > International Programs Posts > Immigration Advisory > May 9, 2025 Immigration Advisory

May 9, 2025 Immigration Advisory

Please read this information as a guide to help you with your studies and maintain a valid immigration status. The information below may not apply to international students at all campuses.

Contents

  1. New Advising system and process for ISSS
  2. Is summer your final term at WSU? Important status information
  3. Reduced Course Load Requirements for Fall and Spring terms
  4. Participating in Protests or Demonstrations
  5. ISSS hours in summer
  6. International travel for WSU students and employees who are not U.S. citizens

New Advising system and process for ISSS

WSU ISSS is here to serve you. In an effort to increase the amount of availability and appointments with our advisors and to ensure we have enough time to meet with each student and review your case to support you well, we have moved to an appointment only system for next-day appointments and are now available throughout the day to speak with you either in-person or over Teams by booking through MS Bookings. Any same-day emergencies can be accommodated by calling 509-335-4508. We hope this new process will allow you more frequent and longer contact with our office to receive better support. You can also let us know how this process is going so we can adjust and better serve you by providing us with feedback here!

Is summer your final term at WSU? Important status information

If summer 2025 will be your last term, remember these important immigration status points!

Full-time enrollment in IN PERSON CLASS or an approved reduced course load is required

  • Undergraduate: 6 credits
  • Graduate: 3 credits

You may also choose to apply for OPT, so if you have any questions about the requirements above, please contact ISSS.

Reduced Course Load Requirements for Fall and Spring terms

Please remember that as an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, you are required to maintain the following minimum enrollment requirements for Spring and Fall semesters:

  • Undergraduate: 12 credits
  • Graduate: 10 credits

If you wish to withdraw from a course and the withdrawal will drop you below full-time enrollment, you must first be authorized for a “reduced course load (RCL)” for that term. RCL’s are not approved nor intended for risk of failing the class or to “wipe out” bad grades.

This authorization can be given only by ISSS and must be approved BEFORE you withdraw from the course(s).

If you think you may need to drop below full-time enrollment next summer or fall, please speak with an International Student Advisor to see what options (if any) are available for you.

Participating in Protests or Demonstrations

International students and scholars may have concerns about participating in demonstrations while in the US. The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects speech, which includes symbolic speech and protest, as long as it is conducted peacefully. The US constitution protects non-citizens, but there are some considerations to immigration, particularly if participating in a protest. 

Please refer to our earlier notice of dealing with Federal law enforcement. 

International students should be aware that arrests, criminal charges and convictions may impact immigration status. If you choose to participate in a protest, remain peaceful, and in the event a protest becomes threatening, violent, or disruptive, you should leave the area to maintain your own safety. Any criminal activity can have long-term consequences and restrict international students during their time here or future attempts to enter and/or stay in the US. 

Washington State University supports its students and their rights to free expression. Complying with WSU codes of conduct and maintaining studies and program activities will ensure your immigration status is not at risk.  

Please contact International Student and Scholar Services if you have any questions.

ISSS hours in summer

ISSS will remain open throughout the summer from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Pacific time. If you need to speak with an International Student Advisor, please book an appoint (see item 1 above).

International travel for WSU students and employees who are not U.S. citizens

ISSS is closely monitoring for any travel changes, including a possible travel ban. We all are reading reports of international students who are being detained at the border upon entry or re-entry to the United States.  We recognize these are very difficult times for members of our international community and offer the following guidance: 

  • Carefully consider not traveling internationally at this time if your visa status has you concerned.  When considering whether to travel, also review your social media history, which could be scrutinized by border control personnel. Immigration enforcement is also reviewing minor legal violations, including traffic offenses. 
  • If your education or work responsibilities at WSU require travel, thoroughly assess the risk in advance of traveling and determine if there are alternatives.  If you are a student sponsored on a visa by WSU, reach out to ip.intlservices@wsu.edu. 
  • All non-U.S. citizens must carry original immigration documents when traveling –both within the U.S. and internationally. This requirement is now actively enforced. Acceptable documents include:
    • Green Card (I-551) 
    • Employment Authorization Document (EAD 
    • I-94 Arrival/Departure record 
    • Travel permits 
  • If you decide to travel and have immigration concerns, identify an immigration attorney in advance and carry their contact information.  Resources for finding an immigration attorney (navigate to legal support tab) can be found here:

If you have any questions about the above announcement, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.