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Immigration Advisory

Nov. 13, 2020

Please read this information as a guide to help you with your remote studies and to maintain valid immigration status.

Contents:

  1. Check your I-20/DS-2019. Do you need a program extension?
  2. Get ready for spring registration – enrollment reminders
  3. Academic deficiency and reinstatement
  1. Check your I-20/DS-2019. Do you need a program extension?

F-1 students: Program end date is listed in the box entitled “Program of Study” on the first page of your I-20.

J-1 students: Program end date is listed in box three on the first page of your DS-2019.

Is the end date in 2020? If yes, are you graduating in December? If not, then you NEED to request an extension of your I-20 or DS-2019 BEFORE it ends. Failure to do this will put you out of your legal F-1 or J-1 status.

Log in to https://mypassport.wsu.edu and then go to F-1 or J-1 Student Services (depending on if you are on an F-1 or J-1 student visa) and complete the form called “Extension of I-20 Document” if you are an F-1 student or “Extension of DS-2019 Document” if you are a J-1 student.

Please do not wait until the last minute to do this!

  1. Get ready for spring registration – enrollment reminders

With spring registration coming up, please remember these IMPORTANT enrollment notes. This information will help you maintain your F-1/J-1 status.

Undergraduate students: You must enroll in AT LEAST 12 credits.

Graduate students: You must enroll in AT LEAST 10 credits.

Will spring 2021 be your final semester and you need less than 12 (or 10) credits to complete your program? Then you need to apply for a Reduced Course Load for your last semester. This is a request for our office to authorize you to be enrolled in less than full time for your last semester.

To request a Reduced Course Load for Last Semester (F-1 students), please do the following:

  1. Login to https://mypassport.wsu.edu.
  2. Go to Enrollment Services.
  3. Complete the appropriate “Reduced Course Load for Last Semester Request” (Graduate or Undergraduate).

For J-1 students, you will find the Reduced Course Load request under “J-1 Student Services” in the same mypassport system.

As a reminder, we have yet to hear from ICE-SEVP on immigration guidance for spring term.

  1. Academic deficiency and reinstatement

Degree-seeking students whose semester and/or cumulative GPA is below 2.0 after fall 2020 may become academically deficient.

Make sure to check your My WSU account when the final grades are posted after finals week.

If you become deficient, visit the Academic Success and Career Center (ASCC) page at: https://ascc.wsu.edu/academic-services/academic-deficiency-and-reinstatement/.

  1. Snow! Fun and safety for the winter months ahead

It’s snowing! Winter brings new opportunities for new outdoor activities and sports such as sledding, snowball fights, and building snowmen! We encourage you to get outside and have fun and remind you to keep these safety tips in mind.

  1. Sign up for WSU emergency text and email alerts!
  2. Wear layers!
    • It’s chilly outside, but warm inside. Make sure you wear layers of clothing (undershirts, shirts, sweaters, coats, gloves, hats, scarves, etc.) to stay insulated in the cold outdoor air, but so you can easily take off layers to stay comfortable inside.
  3. Minimize driving
    • If you have to drive somewhere, plan to travel during the daylight hours.
    • Don’t travel alone.
    • Make sure people know when you are traveling and an estimated time you plan to arrive.
  4. Walk carefully
    • The roads and sidewalks should be shoveled and plowed, but there is often a buildup of ice on sidewalks. Sometimes, there is ice that you cannot see well, known as “black ice.” Step carefully.
    • Wear waterproof snow boots.
    • When it is icy, wear extra traction over your boots, like “Yak Traks.”

Make sure you keep your windows closed during winter advisories, so they don’t break in storms!

  1. The International Center

Are you familiar with the WSU International Center and all the activities it offers? There are lots of opportunities to practice your English, share culture, and just enjoy the company of your fellow students! Be sure to keep an eye out in your email for a detailed newsletter from the International Center every Monday!

Coffee Hour: Friday 3-4 p.m. PST (Pullman time)

Friday the 13th!

This week’s Coffee Hour is all about luck! In America, any Friday that falls on the 13th of the month is considered dangerous. Come and learn why!

Use this Zoom link to join! Meeting ID: 918 4752 4753  Passcode: 997008

Tutoring in HIST 105 and HIST 305

If you need some extra help in your history 105 or 305 class, bilingual tutoring is available!

Chinese/English: Email tutor Freeman Chen at zhiyuan.chen2@wsu.edu to set up a tutoring appointment.

Arabic/English: Every Monday 11 a.m.-noon PST (Use this Zoom link! Meeting ID: 993 5365 3826  Passcode: 651283

Conversation Tables

The International Center offers English conversation tables: Learn slang, chat with other English learners, and make friends! All skill levels welcome!

Every Tuesday and Thursday 5-7 p.m. PST

Use this link to enter: Meeting ID: 993 8307 7508  Passcode: 095075

This Advisory and previous issues are posted at https://ip.wsu.edu/on-campus/immigration-advisories.

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