Please read this information as a guide to help you with your studies and maintain a valid immigration status. The information below may not apply to international students at all campuses.
Contents
- USCIS Registration requirements for children who turn 14 years old
- Summer housing – Pullman only
- Academic dismissal and academic recess
- Not returning fall 2026? Let us know
- Advising system and process for ISSS
- Tax time! Take action NOW
USCIS Registration requirements for children who turn 14 years old
On February 25, 2025 (and updated March 12, 2025), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued guidance on the Alien Registration Requirement, following Executive Order 14159, which based on the longstanding requirement for non-U.S. citizens to register with the U.S. government under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1302). Those who do not comply with these measures may face civil implications.
Those in F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, and any dependent family members who entered the United States at the age of 14 or older were automatically registered with the United States government when arriving in the U.S. and no further action is needed. The I-94 arrival record serves as proof of registration and can be printed out as evidence of compliance.
It’s important to note that dependent children (F-2, J-2, H-4, O-3 dependents) who turned 14 while inside the U.S. must register or re-register under this new Department of Homeland Security requirement within 30 days of reaching their 14th birthday.
This new registration process is accessible through Form G-325R.
More information can be found here from the President’s Alliance.
If you have any questions about this, please contact WSU International Student and Scholar Services.
Also, if you receive any communication, over email or regular mail, from a U.S. Government agency, please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns.
Summer housing – Pullman only
Housing applications for summer are open. Please visit WSU’s Housing and Residence Life website for more details.
Academic dismissal and academic recess
If you are an undergraduate student at Washington State University, then please be aware of two important rules regarding academics.
Academic dismissal: After a student has had three semesters with a cumulative GPA below 2.0, they are dismissed from WSU for one academic year.
Academic recess: If this is the student’s first year at WSU and they are not a transfer student, they must get a GPA above 1.0. Failure to get this GPA will mean they are recessed (dismissed) from WSU for one semester.
If you think that you are in danger of potentially being academically dismissed or recessed after spring 2026, please speak with ISSS as soon as possible. Notification about dismissal and recession will be sent via your WSU email in May 2026, so if you are not sure you will be able to access your email over summer, you should prepare now.
Not returning fall 2026? Let us know
Please notify ISSS whether you are graduating, transferring to another school, stopping your studies, or taking a break/leave of absence. ISSS needs to know so we can update your SEVIS record accordingly. Here is how to notify us depending on your situation:
a) Transferring to another school?
Complete the SEVIS Transfer Out form, which can be found under F-1 Student Services, “Departure Forms” on our myPassport page. Please fill out the Program Completion form as well if you are completing your program here at WSU.
b) Not graduating, ending your studies, and/or taking a leave of absence greater than five months?
Please complete the Early Withdrawal form, which can be found under F-1 Student Services, “Departure Forms” on our myPassport page.
c) Graduating and applying for OPT?
Start working on the application now. The U.S government is taking on average 90-100 days to review OPT requests. Start the application online at our myPassport page. The Optional Practical Training form is under Employment Forms.
d) Completing one WSU program and moving to a new or higher level one at WSU?
Please complete the Change of Level I-20 Request form, which can be found under F-1 Student Services, “I-20 Request Forms” on our myPassport page.
We understand that each student’s situation is unique, so if you have questions, we encourage you to contact us.
Advising system and process for ISSS
WSU International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is here to serve you. In an effort to increase the amount of availability and appointments with our advisors and to ensure we have enough time to meet with each student and review your case to support you well, we provide an appointment only system for next-day appointments available throughout the day to speak with you either in-person or over Teams by booking through our ISSS Bookings page. Any same-day emergencies can be reviewed and accommodated by calling 509-335-4508.
Important: Please note that 3 no shows on booked appointments will result in advising only over email for one month. If you cannot make your appointment, please cancel it or contact our office so we can accommodate others that need that time. Thank you for your understanding.
Tax Time! Take Action NOW
ISSS is partnering again 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 visa holders. For more details, visit our Tax Help page.
The deadline to file 2025 taxes is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Did you have NO Income in 2025?
F-1/J-1 visa holders 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 2025?
F-1/J-1 visa holders who were employed at WSU in 2025 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 in-person clinics available.
NoRTH/VITA In-Person Tax Clinics: visit our Tax Help page for dates, times, and locations.
How to Make an Appointment
You can also visit their Free Tax Assistance page directly.
- Request Free Membership from NonResident Tax Help Group’s page and select Washington State University, Hoops Tax Institute
- You must use your WSU student email address.
- 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 Taxes page.
If you have any questions about the above announcement, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.
- WSU students across the System, contact by phone +1 509-335-4508 or email ip.intlservices@wsu.edu