March 3, 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. Daylight Saving Time begins March 12
  2. New information resource! Higher Ed Immigration Portal
  3. Scam alert
  4. Your country’s flag pin for graduation
  5. Tax time! Sprintax software available and workshops coming soon
  1. Daylight Saving Time begins March 12

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on March 12.

What does this mean? It means we “lose” an hour. While digital clocks and cell phones should automatically reset, please make sure that you set all analog (nondigital) clocks, including watches and other nondigital devices, forward 1 hour on Saturday night. 

  1. New information resource! Higher Ed Immigration Portal

The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration launched a new Higher Ed Immigration Portal. The Portal is a one-stop, easily navigable resource for state and federal data, policy, and best practices concerning immigrant, international, and refugee students—including DACA recipients and undocumented students. However, please note that it is not sponsored by the U.S. government.

  1. Scam alert

Scam calls are common, and an international student from WSU reported to us one new attempt that happened to her this week. The student received a call from caller ID U.S. Secret Service and the caller asked that the student give their alien registration number, passport number, or other identifying information otherwise 911 would be dispatched to her house. The student knew to inform the caller that they would need to talk with an international student advisor before providing any information. However, for pressure, the caller then said that 911 would be at their house within the hour if they did not comply. The student hung up the phone and contacted us immediately. 

This is a reminder to NOT provide any personal information or payment over the phone to individuals claiming to be from U.S. government agencies (IRS, USCIS, etc.). Feel free to reach out to our office for questions if you receive such phone calls: ip.intlservices@wsu.edu.

  1. Your country’s flag pin for graduation

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! In connection with the Graduation Celebration, IP-International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will be offering a graduation flag pin to all international students expected to graduate this spring and who complete a Program Completion eform in myPassport by April 14. The flag pin will be from your home country.

Pullman campus students must pick up their pin at Bryan Hall 206 April 19-28. Students outside Pullman will have their pins mailed if they provide a mailing address. Questions may be directed to ip.intlservices@wsu.edu.

Thank you and congratulations from all of us in ISSS!

  1. Tax time! Sprintax software available and workshops coming soon

ISSS offers free access to a tax preparation software called Sprintax, which is specifically designed for international students and scholars. The deadline for filing 2022 taxes is April 18, 2023.

Did you have NO income in 2022? 

International students and scholars who did not receive U.S.-based income must still file a tax form called Form 8843 and Sprintax can assist you with this form. To have Sprintax help with Form 8843, you may log into myPassport.wsu.edu and select ‘Tax Software’ to fill out the form to request access to Sprintax. A unique verification code will be emailed to you at your WSU email within three business days.

You will need to print and mail Form 8843 to Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215

Did you have income in 2022?

Log into myPassport.wsu.edu and select ‘Tax Software’ to fill out the form to request access to Sprintax. A unique verification code will be emailed to you at your WSU email within three business days.

International students and scholars who were employed at WSU in 2022 will receive a report of wage earnings called Form W-2 from the Payroll Services Office. W-2s are available now. Students should use this form to complete and submit their tax return.

Did you receive a scholarship for room and board or are using a tax treaty benefit? This means you will receive 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: You must wait until you receive Form 1042-S to file your taxes.

Sprintax webinars to prepare for your tax filing!

Tax questions? Sprintax offers YouTube videos, a blog, and tax webinars.

Webinar dates, times, and registration links:

Important: ISSS may not provide tax advice or information on tax treaties. Please consult a tax expert or use the chat function with Sprintax.


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