About > International Programs Posts > Immigration Advisory > Feb. 17, 2023 Immigration Advisory

Feb. 17, 2023 Immigration Advisory

Please read this information as a guide to help you with your studies and to maintain valid immigration status. The information below applies to international students at all campuses.

Contents 

  1. Energy assistance program – Pullman students only
  2. Academic dishonesty may be basis for visa revocation
  3. Car insurance – if you have a car, mandatory to have
  4. Language Learning Resource Center
  5. Support letters from ISSS
  6. Yang Liu Excellence Teaching Award
  7. Tax time! Sprintax software available
  1. Energy assistance program – Pullman students only

The Pullman Community Action Center (CAC) offers emergency assistance programs for people living in the Pullman area. Please contact them for assistance as temperatures remain low: 509-334-9147.

Your family might qualify for a one-time payment to your Avista account by applying for the Low-Income Rate Assistance Program (LIRAP Heat or Regular Energy Assistance program).

This program is completely funded by Avista utilities and any customer, including customers who are not U.S. citizens, can apply for this program. This program is NOT monitored by the federal government. 

Households can apply for this program once per year between Oct.1 and Sept. 15.

  1. Academic dishonesty may be basis for visa revocation

If academic dishonesty is discovered during an inspection of a foreign national student at a port of entry, it will likely result in a denial of admission and possibly visa revocation (either expedited removal or voluntary departure, depending on mitigating factors).

Under the authority granted by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Customs and Border Protection inspectors have authority to search without warrant any person coming to the U.S. (being a U.S. citizen or not) and their belongings including phones, social media, and laptops.

  1. Car insurance – if you have a car, mandatory to have

If you are thinking about buying a car, then you know that being covered by car insurance is an important step in the car ownership process in the United States. Not only is insurance important to protect you in case of an accident, but it is also required by law.

These links have helpful information about this requirement:

4autoinsurancequote.com/uncategorized/do-you-need-car-insurance-to-drive/

4autoinsurancequote.com/learning-center/auto-insurance-for-international-students/

State minimum requirements in Washington

To legally drive in Washington, you will need insurance that includes at least:

  • $25,000 for injuries or death to one person
  • $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people
  • $10,000 for damage to another person’s property
  1. Language Learning Resource Center

The Language Learning Resource Center is here to meet the specific academic support needs of all international students. If you haven’t visited the LLRC in Thompson Hall yet, you can find information about it here. There you can work with a tutor 1-on-1, work in a group with guidance from a tutor, study independently or with guidance from a tutor, use our desks and computers to complete assignments, and much more. If you have any questions about the LLRC and what it has to offer, please reach out to Lynn Dils at lynn.dils@wsu.edu.

  1. Support letters from ISSS

Our office often receives requests for visa support letters for individuals and/or their dependents. So, we would like to make clear what our office can attest to.

We can provide status confirmation letters only, attesting if the F-1 or J-1 visa holder has been maintaining their immigration status in the U.S.

We cannot comment on academic performance, make a formal request for a visa to get approved, nor attest to personal skills such as work ethic and communication. We too cannot attest to ties individuals may have back in their home country.

Additionally, we often attend professional development webinars in the International Education field and can confirm we heard from consular officials themselves that external letters are rarely considered in the visa process.

  1. Yang Liu Excellence in Teaching Award

The Yang (Wendy) Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching International Students is awarded once annually to a faculty member at WSU who demonstrates excellence in teaching international students at WSU by:

  • Teaching or otherwise supporting understanding of academic integrity, plagiarism, and other matters as they relate to writing and citation at a U.S. university – and communicating this effectively to international students who are unused to these standards.
  • Teaching or otherwise supporting students in active engagement, oral participation, group work, etc.
  • Serving in an advisory or mentorship capacity for international students.
  • Incorporating global perspectives/multiple perspectives within the classroom/curriculum.
  • Showing evidence of flexibility in teaching style as it relates to international students.

Nominations close April 14, and here is more information on how to submit a nomination and about this award: https://ip.wsu.edu/isss/excellence-teaching-nominate/

  1. Tax time! Sprintax software available

ISSS offers free access to a tax preparation software called Sprintax. Sprintax is specifically designed for international students and scholars. The deadline for filing 2022 taxes is April 18, 2023.

Did you have NO income in 2022?

International students and scholars who did not receive U.S.-based income must still file a tax form called Form 8843. Sprintax can assist with Form 8843. You will need to print and mail Form 8843 to: Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215 

To have Sprintax help with Form 8843, you may log into myPassport.wsu.edu and select ‘Tax Software’ to fill out the form to request access to Sprintax. A unique verification code will be emailed to you at your WSU email within three business days.

Did you have income in 2022?

Log into myPassport.wsu.edu and select ‘Tax Software’ to fill out the form to request access to Sprintax. A unique verification code will be emailed to you at your WSU email within three business days.

International students/scholars who were employed at WSU in 2022 will receive a report of wage earnings called Form W-2 from the Payroll Services Office. W-2s are available now. Students should use this form to complete and submit their tax return.

Did you receive a scholarship for room and board or are you using a tax treaty benefit? This means you will receive 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: You must wait until you receive Form 1042-S to file your taxes.

Sprintax webinars to prepare for your tax filing!

Tax questions? Sprintax offers YouTube videos, a blog, and Tax Webinars (listed below).

Webinar dates, times, and registration links:

Important: ISSS may not provide tax advice or information on tax treaties. Please consult a tax expert or use the chat function with Sprintax.

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