March 21, 2025 Immigration Advisory

1. Need to do an off-campus internship? Apply for CPT!
2. International Students’ Council – Pullman only
3. Participating in Protests or Demonstrations
4. Yang “Wendy” Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching
5. Career Prep Workshop course Summer 2025
6. Tax time!
7. Important Reminder – Phone-based multifactor authentication ends March 25

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Need to do an off-campus internship? Apply for CPT!

Are you in an academic program that requires you to do off-campus internships?

Then speak to an international student advisor about CPT (Curricular Practical Training). This is the off-campus work authorization for curricular-related internships. It is highly recommended that you apply for this government authorization whether the internship is paid or unpaid.

Although CPT is reviewed and approved by ISSS, it is a technical application, so we recommend applying early. If you are thinking about applying for internships but are not sure if you are eligible for CPT, please speak with your academic advisor AND an international student advisor before you begin applying. This will help save you time.

International Students’ Council – Pullman only

The International Students’ Council (ISC) is one of ASWSU’s largest committees and is the official voice of Washington State University’s international student population. The ISC hosts several events throughout the year to promote cultural exchange on campus and in the Pullman community.

Visit out ISC page for more information and to reach out.

Participating in Protests or Demonstrations

International students and scholars may have concerns about participating in demonstrations while in the US. The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects speech, which includes symbolic speech and protest, as long as it is conducted peacefully. The US constitution protects non-citizens, but there are some considerations to immigration, particularly if participating in a protest.

Please refer to our earlier notice of dealing with Federal law enforcement.

International students should be aware that arrests, criminal charges and convictions may impact immigration status. If you choose to participate in a protest, remain peaceful, and in the event a protest becomes threatening, violent, or disruptive, you should leave the area to maintain your own safety. Any criminal activity can have long-term consequences and restrict international students during their time here or future attempts to enter and/or stay in the US.

Washington State University supports its students and their rights to free expression. Complying with WSU codes of conduct and maintaining studies and program activities will ensure your immigration status is not at risk.

Please contact International Student and Scholar Services if you have any questions.

Yang “Wendy” Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching

Wendy demonstrated grace, empathy, and excellence in her teaching and service to the university. She helped pioneer many of our best practices in working with Eastern Asian students and helped engage students and faculty outside of the classroom. She always paid particular attention to creating an excellent teaching and learning environment for linguistically and culturally diverse students.

If you have an instructor that shares the same philosophy as Wendy that you would like to nominate for this award, please visit our award website to submit your nomination.

Career Prep Workshop course Summer 2025

Designed for international students who are interested in learning how to prepare for a career in the United States. The course will be held in Summer 2025:

• May 5-June 27 (8-weeks)
• 1 hour per week
• Pass/Fail and non-credit bearing
• 100% in-person (Pullman Campus)
• Tuition cost $171.

Email IALC for more information

Tax Time!

ISSS is partnering with WSU’s Nonresident Tax Help Group (NoRTH) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide free tax help to F-1 and J-1 students. For more details, visit our tax help page.

The deadline to file 2024 taxes is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. 

Did you have NO Income in 2024?

F-1/J-1 students who did not earn US-based income must still file a tax form called Form 8843.  NoRTH/VITA can help with Form 8843.  After completing the form, you will need to print and mail it to:  

Department of the Treasury 
Internal Revenue Service Center 
Austin, TX 73301-0215 

Did you have US Income in 2024? 

F-1/J-1 students who were employed at WSU in 2024 will receive a report of wage earnings called Form W-2 from the Payroll Services Office.  W-2s are available after January 31.  Students should use this form to complete and submit their tax return. 

• Did you receive a scholarship for room and board or use a tax treaty benefit?  If yes, you will get a Form 1042-S.  The Payroll Services Office is required to issue Form 1042-S no later than March 15. Form 1042-S is mailed to the address you provide in myWSU.  IMPORTANT: Make sure you wait until you receive Form 1042-S to file your taxes.  

Appointment Required

To get help from NoRTH/VITA with your taxes, you must make an appointment. Appointments are available via Zoom, but for Pullman campus students, there are only three in-person clinics available. These tax clinics are the only in-person options. 

NoRTH/VITA In-Person Tax Clinics:

1. Monday, March 24, 5:00-7:30 p.m. in SPARK 339 
2. Saturday, March 29, 1:00-3:30 p.m. in CUE 119 
3. Monday, April 7, 5:00-7:30 p.m. in SPARK 339 

How to Make an Appointment 

1. Request free membership from The NonResident Tax Help Group (NoRTH) and select Washington State University, Hoops Tax Institute
   • You must use your WSU student email address.  
2. On the “Get Help” page, scroll and click to find the calendar for the format of help you want. Look through the openings and select an available appointment using your WSU email address. 

Note: ISSS does not give tax advice or information on tax treaties. For tax help, you can make a Zoom or in-person appointment with NoRTH/VITA or ask a licensed tax professional. 

For tax questions, email NoRTH/VITA.
For general tax information, visit our ISSS tax page.

Important Reminder – Phone-based multifactor authentication ends March 25

At 8 a.m. on March 25, all WSU user accounts using only SMS (text message) or voice call for multi-factor authentication (MFA) to sign in to WSU online resources will be locked.

To maintain access to your WSU account, review your active MFA settings as soon as possible by visiting account.wsu.edu and selecting the “Manage Security Methods” button. If the “Phone” security method is enabled, set up at least one of the remaining MFA methods and then immediately remove the Phone method.

Please do not wait until the last minute to verify.

To learn more, please visit the WSU MFA Options page.