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Immigration Advisory

Dec. 18, 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 – REMINDER
  2. WSU Pullman dining options December and early January
  3. International Programs office hours during winter break
  1. Guidance for International Students for spring 2021 – REMINDER

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 includes 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. WSU Pullman dining options December and early January

If you are staying in campus housing, dining services will have limited availability over the University closure. Please visit https://dining.wsu.edu/hours for information on what will be open and business hours.

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

ISSS will be available for emergencies only during the University Winter Closure between Dec. 21, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2021. Advising hours (1-3 p.m.) through our virtual office will be available, but with limited staff. We cannot commit to process requests within the usual 5-day turnaround time.

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.

ISSS wishes you a safe and joyful holiday! See you next spring.

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

 

Office of International Programs
Washington State University
PO Box 645121, Pullman, WA, 99164-5121 USA