About > International Programs Posts > Immigration Advisory > Jan. 20, 2023 Immigration Advisory

Jan. 20, 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. New student at WSU enrolled in face-to-face classes?
  2. Full-time enrollment requirements 
  3. Taking leave from WSU? 
  4. Learning Support Center
  5. Tax information: Coming soon!
  1. New student at WSU enrolled in face-to-face classes? 

Then you need to check in with ISSS so we can register your SEVIS record and verify with the U.S government that you are in status. Here is what you need to do: 

Pullman campus – please log in to mypassport.wsu.edu and complete the Orientation Check-In requirements. We will need the following two things to register you: 

  • Student document check in 
  • Emergency contact  

Not based on the Pullman campus? Please contact your local DSO to arrange a Zoom meeting to do your check in and document review. Information on your local contact can be found at the bottom of this email. 

  1. Full-time enrollment requirements 

As part of your F-1 or J-1 status, you are required to be enrolled full time unless you have authorization from ISSS to drop below full-time enrollment.  

Within 30 days of the semester start date or your I-20 or DS-2019 start date (if starting this term), you must be enrolled in the following in-person credits: 

  • Undergraduate students: 12 credits 
  • Graduate students: 10 credits  

If you need to drop below full-time enrollment, please meet with an ISSS advisor during Zoom advising hours or contact us (ip.intlservices@wsu.edu or 509-335-4508) to learn more about applying for a reduced course load.  

  1. Taking leave from WSU? 

If you are in the U.S. and have been dismissed or recessed from WSU for the spring 2023 term due to a low GPA, please speak with an International Student Advisor immediately! Your immigration status is tied to your enrollment, so you will need to act soon to remain in the United States. 

Do you need to return home or are you having a hard semester and thinking about canceling or withdrawing from all your classes? If so, please speak with an International Student Advisor before you do anything. Your F-1 or J-1 status is tied to your full-time enrollment. Unless you have a documented serious medical issue and have received approval from ISSS, you CANNOT remain in the United States without enrollment. (Summer is excluded.)  

An International Student Advisor can discuss your options with you and guide you through the process. Please attend our open advising hours between 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

  1. Learning Support Center

The Learning Support Center is here to meet the specific academic support needs of all international students. If you haven’t looked at the LSC website yet, you can find it here. It includes a complete tutoring schedule showing convenient hours where you can find a live tutor to help you with your classes (including weekend hours!). You will find general English tutors and a tutor who specializes in COM 102. If you have any questions about the LSC and what it has to offer, please reach out to Lynn Dils at lynn.dils@wsu.edu. 

  1. Tax information: Coming soon! 

More information about taxes will be available in early February. ISSS will offer free access to a tax software called Sprintax. 

Remember to not throw out any Form W-2, Form 1042-S, Form 1099-INT, etc. you may receive, as you will need these documents to file your tax return. 

Important: ISSS does not offer tax advice or information on tax treaties. Please consult a tax expert or use the chat function with Sprintax once it is available.   

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