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
- Travel checklist
- Taxes
- Tax for international students that receive grants/scholarships above the cost of tuition and mandatory fees
- International Programs office hours winter break – Plan ahead!
- Update your address!
- WSU Pullman dining options December and early January
Travel checklist
Are you planning on traveling internationally this winter break? If so, we highly encourage you to review the checklist below and reach out to us with any questions. We are here to help you make your travel plans consciously.
International Travel Risk Assessment
This guide is designed to help international students and scholars evaluate their risk when considering international travel. This guide does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Remember that all international travel during your program assumes some risk. Additional factors and other personal circumstances can change your risk levels
Consider each of the following 5 questions. Any YES answer could potentially put you at a HIGHER RISK where any NO answer could put you at a LOWER RISK level.
- Are any of your immigration documents (visa, passport, l-20/DS-2019) expired or missing?
- Do you have any pending OPT applications or change of status petitions?
- Is your home country on the travel ban list?
- Would your online/social media presence raise any concerns to immigrat ion officials?
- Have you ever had any charge or encounter with law enforcement in the U.S?
- If you choose to & travel, make sure your l-20/DS-2019 has a valid travel signature.
- Students are encouraged to travel with paper copies of their supporting documents (1-20, bank statement, transcripts, etc.).
- Please reach out to ISSS if you have any questions.
Taxes
Tax season is soon approaching (January through April), so it’s time to start to get familiarized with its terms and regulations. Please visit our tax website to learn more about taxes and what to prepare for.
Tax for international students that receive grants/scholarships above the cost of tuition and mandatory fees
If you receive throughout to year grants/scholarships above the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, please make sure to check your student account each semester (around mid-term is perfect) and connect with Bursar’s office within the same tax year if you do see a tax withholding charge.
Charges within the same tax year can be fixed, but after December 31st it is more complicated.
International Programs office hours winter break – Plan ahead!
ISSS will be available for emergencies only during the University Winter Closure between Dec. 24, 2024, and Jan. 2, 2026. We cannot commit to processing requests within the usual 5-business day turnaround time. Therefore, PLAN AHEAD if you need to submit a request to our office.
Please email our ISSS office for questions. We will make sure someone from our team is available to help during this time.
Update your address!
By immigration regulations, F and J students must report address changes within 10 days of any move. Please make sure to update your information in the myPassportsystem: F-1/J-1 Student Services > F-1/J-1 Address Update Form. Also, update it in your myWSU account.
WSU Pullman dining options December and early January
If you are staying in campus housing, dining services will have limited availability over the University closure. Please visit the dining facility hours page for information on what will be open and business hours.
If you have any questions about the above announcement, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.
- WSU students across the System, contact by phone +1 509-335-4508 or email ip.intlservices@wsu.edu