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
- Deadline for cancellation of enrollment
- Participating in Protests or Demonstrations
- Travel Advisory
- Summer health insurance – Pullman only
Deadline for cancellation of enrollment
May 1, 2026 is the deadline to cancel your enrollment for spring 2026. A cancellation of enrollment is when a student withdraws from ALL classes for the semester.
Please note that if you do this, it WILL impact your immigration status, so if you are thinking of doing a cancellation, please speak with an international student advisor.
Unless you have approval from ISSS due to specific reasons approved by the U.S. government, the cancellation will result in termination of your SEVIS record. This will put you out of status and require your immediate departure from the United States. So please speak with an international student advisor TODAY before requesting the cancellation.
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.
Travel Advisory
We strongly recommend that if you are considering international travel during summer that you only travel if it is essential. We are seeing visa processing delays and increased screening, including review of social media. Be aware that your reentry to the US could be delayed or even prevented.
If you do decide to travel, monitor updates relevant to your situation and travel location, and please keep in mind the following:
- Avoid planning travel to known or potential (high risk) conflict areas. Conditions can change quickly and may affect flights, entry/exit, or consular operations.
- Resources for assessing travel risk include: Travel.State.Gov and similar resources from other countries.
- If you become stranded abroad, our ability to help is limited. ISSS can provide general guidance, but we may not be able to resolve travel interruptions, intervene with consulates, or facilitate academic accommodations.
- If you decide you must travel, choose refundable options and consider purchasing travel insurance. WSU’s international travel insurance is only available to students traveling for academic programs, so you would need to obtain travel insurance in the marketplace.
If you would like to discuss your specific circumstances before you finalize plans, please feel free to contact our office or book an appointment with one of our advisors. We are here to help.
Summer health insurance
The Health Fee is not automatically assessed if:
- During the fall/spring, a student is taking less than 7 credits, or
- During the summer, a student is not enrolled.
Therefore, for students to access Cougar Health Services and CAPS over summer, including Fulbright students, ABD and not on an assistantship (likely enrolled in 2 credits), or if they are not taking classes during the summer, students would need to opt-in for the Health Fee to be seen at CHS/CAPS. Students should still be covered under insurance, though.
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