About > International Programs Posts > Immigration Advisory > Immigration Advisory

Immigration Advisory

Dec. 11, 2020

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

Contents:

  1. Guidance for International Students for spring 2021
  2. Fraud alert – Scammer using SEVP numbers to target international students
  3. Countdown to 2021 page
  4. Update your address!
  5. International Programs office hours winter break – Plan ahead
  1. Guidance for International Students for spring 2021

Like you, our office has been waiting patiently for guidance from the government regarding enrollment for new and continuing students. We finally got our answer: “Nonimmigrant students should continue to abide by SEVP guidance originally issued in March 2020.” Here is what that means for you:

  • For continuing students, the limits on online enrollment continue to be waived, allowing students to take any number of classes online. The full-time enrollment requirement remains in place: 12 credits for undergraduate students and 10 credits for graduate students.
  • Students transferring to WSU from other universities are free to do so as long as they remain in the country during the transition between schools.
  • Transfer students who are currently out of the country (or departing the U.S. prior to starting at WSU) should remain in their home country unless they are returning to take in-person classes (mostly graduate students). Transfer students are welcome to take WSU classes online from home until it is safe to return to the United States.
  • New undergraduate students outside the country with an I-20 for a spring start should stay home. According to the guidance, the government is not allowing such students to enter the country to start an entirely online program.
  • New graduate students outside the country with an I-20 for a spring start may enter if some element of their program is face-to-face. Those who are not sure are encouraged to speak with their department for confirmation.

We realize this arrangement is still less than ideal but given the turmoil caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, WSU students, staff, and faculty are all forced to make adjustments.

To reiterate a key point: the government has been clear in stating that they do not want students entering the country just to take 100% online programs (which include our undergraduate programs). So even if you have an I-20 and a valid visa we strongly encourage you to stay home. If you attempt to enter the country to take 100% online classes, you may get turned away at the airport or be accused of a status violation sometime in the future. Again, you are free to study at WSU from home without an active SEVIS record.

Please contact our office at ip.intlservices@wsu.edu if you have any questions.

  1. Fraud alert – Scammer using SEVP numbers to target international students

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has been made aware of a spoofing scam involving individuals using the SEVP Response Center (SRC) phone numbers (703-603-3400 and 800-892-4829) and claiming to be SRC representatives. The fraudulent callers are inquiring about Form I-94 documents and asking students to provide information regarding monetary transactions.

We are urging you NOT to be a victim of this dangerous scam. If you are unsure about the validity of a call from an SEVP official, you can reach out to our office.

Things to remember:

  • SEVP officials will NEVER ask stakeholders to provide credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers, or to make bitcoin deposits for any purpose.
  • NEVER divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
  1. Countdown to 2021 page

Please visit our countdown to 2021 page, and enjoy International Programs faculty and staff tips for fun ways to celebrate winter and the holidays.

  1. Update your address!

By immigration regulations, F and J students must report address changes within 10 days of any move. Please make sure to update your information in the myPassport system: F-1/J-1 Student Services > F-1/J-1 Address Update Form. Also, update it in your myWSU account.

  1. International Programs office hours winter break – Plan ahead!

ISSS will be available for emergencies only during the University Winter Closure between Dec. 24, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2021. As we will have reduced staff, advising hours (1-3 p.m.) are canceled, and we cannot commit to process requests within the usual 5 days turnaround time. Therefore, PLAN AHEAD if you need to submit a request to our office.

Please email ip.intlservices@wsu.edu for questions or to set up an advising appointment. We will make sure someone from our team is available to help during this time period.

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.

WSU Pullman students contact +1 509-335-4508 or ip.intlservices@wsu.edu

WSU Vancouver students contact Caitlyn Schock at +1 360-546-9514 or van.dso@wsu.edu

WSU Spokane students contact Kristie Brink at +1 509-358-7963 or kkclark@wsu.edu

WSU Everett students contact Anna McLeod at +1 425-405-1727 or anna.mcleod2@wsu.edu

WSU Tri-Cities students contact Karina Barajas at +1 509-372-7358 or karina.barajas@wsu.edu

 

Office of International Programs
Washington State University

PO Box 645121, Pullman, WA, 99164-5121 USA