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
- March 9, 2026: Priority registration for summer 2026*
- Link for information on recent announcements by the Federal Government
- Graduate students and conferences
- Plan ahead! OPT processing times can range 90-100 days
- Tax time!
March 9, 2026: Priority registration for summer 2026*
If you are looking to save some money in tuition and potentially complete your degree earlier, then check out WSU’s summer session. All students pay in-state tuition for the summer session!
Priority registration for summer session classes begins March 9, 2026.
More information on available classes, tuition, and deadlines can be found on the WSU Summer Sessions page.
*If you are an Academic English or Bridge student, please email Kimberly Cooper to check if you can apply for summer session.
Link for information on recent announcements by the Federal Government
Here is a helpful National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) topic page to help keep you updated on recent announcements by the Federal Government that may affect immigration. ISSS will continue to monitor and communicate immediately shall any action from you is required.
Graduate students and conferences
Are you a graduate student invited to physically present at a conference? Congratulations!
Even if you are paying for the conference yourself, you may be receiving travel reimbursement, so please be aware of certain restrictions. Often the conference provider will request documentation from ISSS that we approved of this conference participation before they will process any travel reimbursement.
Please note that only ISSS can provide status confirmation letters unless you have applied for CPT authorization for participation in this conference.
Plan ahead! OPT processing times can range 90-100 days
Are you graduating in May 2026 and interested in participating in a post-completion internship in your field in the United States? If so, then you may want to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a benefit of your F-1 status that allows you to work off campus after you graduate as long as you work in a field related to your major.
This benefit is requested through USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and they are currently taking approximately 90-100 days to review requests under non-premium processing. So, if you are interested, do not wait to apply! In addition, you do not need a job offer to apply. Therefore, there is no reason to wait if you know you wish to pursue OPT.
The application process starts in myPassport:
- Log in to myPassport.
- Under Employment/Internships, choose Optional Practical Training Application.
- See the online tutorial and complete all forms.
- After providing the requested information hit “submit.”
We will contact you in about 5 business days to give you the I-20 needed for the OPT submission to USCIS. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.
Tax Time!
ISSS is partnering again 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 visa holders. For more details, visit our Tax Help page.
The deadline to file 2025 taxes is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Did you have NO Income in 2025?
F-1/J-1 visa holders 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 2025?
F-1/J-1 visa holders who were employed at WSU in 2025 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 in-person clinics available.
NoRTH/VITA In-Person Tax Clinics: visit our Tax Help page for dates, times, and locations.
How to Make an Appointment
You can also visit their FREE TAX ASSISTANCE page directly.
- Request Free Membership from NonResident Tax Help Group’s page and select Washington State University, Hoops Tax Institute
- You must use your WSU student email address.
- 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 our Taxes page.
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