Please read this information as a guide to help you with your studies and maintain valid immigration status. The information below applies to international students at all campuses.
Contents
- Energy assistance program: Pullman only
- Academic dishonesty may be basis for visa revocation
- Car insurance: If you have a car, mandatory to have
- Support letters from ISSS
- Tax time! Sprintax software available
- Energy assistance program: Pullman only
The Pullman Community Action Center (CAC) offers emergency assistance programs for people living in the Pullman area. As temperatures remain low, please contact them for assistance at 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. This program is NOT monitored by the federal government.
Households can apply for this program once per year between Oct.1 and Sept. 15.
- 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 the authority to search without warrant any person coming to the U.S. (whether a U.S. citizen or not) and their belongings including phones, social media, and laptops.
- 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 articles have helpful information about this requirement:
State minimum requirements in Washington state
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
- 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 cannot attest to ties individuals may have back in their home country.
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.
- Tax time! Sprintax software available
ISSS offers free access to tax preparation software called Sprintax, which is specifically designed for international students and scholars. The deadline for filing 2023 taxes is Monday, April 15.
To get Sprintax, log into myPassport and select ‘Tax Software,’ then fill out the form to request access. A unique verification code will be emailed to you at your WSU email within three business days.
Did you have NO income in 2023?
International students and scholars who did not receive U.S.-based income must still file tax form Form 8843 and Sprintax can assist you with that.
You will need to print and mail your completed Form 8843 to Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215
Did you have income in 2023?
International students/scholars who were employed at WSU in 2023 will receive a report of wage earnings called Form W-2 from the Payroll Services Office. Students should use this form to complete and submit their tax return.
- Did you receive a scholarship for room and board or are using a tax treaty benefit? This means you will receive Form 1042-S. The Payroll Services Office must issue Form 1042-S no later than March 15 and it will be mailed to the address you provided 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).
Upcoming webinar dates, times, and registration links
- Tuesday, March 5 | 1-2 p.m. PST | Register for the March 5 webinar here
- Wednesday, March 20 | 1-2 p.m. | Register for the March 20 webinar here
- Wednesday, March 27 | 10-11 a.m. | Register for the March 27 webinar here
Find additional tax information.
Important: ISSS may not provide tax advice or information about tax treaties. Please consult a tax expert or use the chat function with Sprintax.
If you have any questions about the above announcement, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.
- WSU Pullman students contact +1 509-335-4508 or ip.intlservices@wsu.edu
- WSU Everett, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver students contact Nitivia Jones at nitivia.jones@wsu.edu