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
- USCIS scam alert
- Employment guidelines for F-1 & J-1 students
- International student drop hold – What is It?
- Drop deadline – Feb. 10, 2026
- Notary services – Pullman only
SCIS scam alert
Scammers are using fake USCIS emails to contact foreign nationals. Some of the emails claim that the foreign national is subject to a “background check” for failure to file Form AR-11 after a change of address. There are likely other variants in circulation.
If you receive a similar email or any other suspicious email, do NOT click on any of the links and do NOT respond to any of the phone numbers or mailing addresses listed in the email. You should NOT provide any personal information. USCIS has instructions on how to report such fraudulent contact here: Common Scams Please reach out to our office if you are uncertain about any communication from anyone who claims to be from USCIS or a related government entity.
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).
- 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!
International student drop hold – What is It?
International students in F-1 and J-1 status – excluding Academic English and Bridge students* – now have a hold on their account called the “International Student Drop Hold.” This hold keeps students from dropping classes without ISSS approval, ensuring they do not unknowingly fall out of status.
The hold restricts only drop activity, not add activity, and students can still request a drop/withdraw from a class! Login to myPassport with your WSU ID and password and complete the Drop/Withdraw form.
Please note that if the drop/withdraw will bring you below full-time enrollment, you MUST have an approved reduced course load on file before your drop will be approved.
An International Student Advisor can discuss your options with you and guide you through the process. Please book an appointment with our office if you have any questions.
*Academic English and Bridge students do NOT have the ability to add or drop classes.
Drop deadline
The last day to drop a course without record is Feb. 10, 2026. After this date, all drop requests will show as a W (Withdrawal) on your transcript/record. Students are allowed only a limited number of withdrawals, so be aware of this drop deadline if you wish to drop from any classes.
Additional important academic deadlines can be found at the WSU Academic Calendar page.
Notary services – Pullman only
While most U.S. banks offer notary services for free or for a nominal amount, there are additional options that Pullman students can take advantage of to notarize their documents:
- Neill Public Library, 210 N Grand Ave downtown Pullman
Quick walk from campus. Bus stops in front of the library (Blue, Paradise routes) and across the street at Porch Light Pizza (Silver, Wheat routes). FREE and available to anyone. You do not need to have a library card to use this service.
Notary services are on Tuesdays from 10am to 6:30pm. Be sure to bring the following with you:
- A valid photo ID that includes signature, issue date and expiration date
- The complete document(s) you need notarized
- A witness (if required by the document)
They are unable to notarize copies of documents, loan documents, Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) forms, and documents that are not in English.
(Unrelated, but if students are looking for a particular book, movie, or any kind of material, please also use Neill Public Library. It is FREE forever, even if after graduation and moving away. The NPL library card also gives access to free Linked In courses and Mango language courses)
- U.S. Bank at The CUB (Ground Floor)
- Cheri Nelson at Lighty 180 ASCC. Please email Cheri ahead of time to book a time for the service.
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