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
- Travel Advisory
- Priority fall registration begins – April 13
- Participating in Protests or Demonstrations
- Withdraw deadline – April 10th
- Link for information on recent announcements by the Federal Government
- Tax time!
Travel Advisory
We strongly recommend that if you are considering international travel during spring break or summer that you only travel if it is essential. We are seeing visa processing delays and increased screening, including review of social media. Be aware that your reentry to the US could be delayed or even prevented.
If you do decide to travel, monitor updates relevant to your situation and travel location, and please keep in mind the following:
- Avoid planning travel to known or potential (high risk) conflict areas. Conditions can change quickly and may affect flights, entry/exit, or consular operations.
- Resources for assessing travel risk include: Travel.State.Gov and similar resources from other countries.
- If you become stranded abroad, our ability to help is limited. ISSS can provide general guidance, but we may not be able to resolve travel interruptions, intervene with consulates, or facilitate academic accommodations.
- If you decide you must travel, choose refundable options and consider purchasing travel insurance. WSU’s international travel insurance is only available to students traveling for academic programs, so you would need to obtain travel insurance in the marketplace.
If you would like to discuss your specific circumstances before you finalize plans, please feel free to contact our office or book an appointment with one of our advisors. We are here to help.
Priority fall registration begins – April 13
It is time to begin thinking about those fall 2026 classes! Priority registration for fall 2026 will begin on April 13. The first thing to do is to make sure that you are able to enroll. So, make sure you do not have any holds that will keep you from registering.
Log in to your MyWSU account. In your Student Services home page, the holds are listed in the top right-hand side of the page. Here is PDF document with more information on how to prevent registration delays.
Withdrawal – April 10th
April 10th t is the deadline for undergraduate and professional students to withdraw from a course.
Remember that as an international student, you must request all withdrawals through myPassport. The withdrawal form is found under “Enrollment Change Forms.”
If withdrawing from a course will drop you below 12 credits (undergraduate), then you must be approved for a Reduced Course Load before the withdraw can be approved. Contact ISSS for more information about Reduced Course Loads.
Please remember that until you receive confirmation that both ISSS and the Registrar’s office have approved and processed your withdrawal, you should continue attending the course.
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.
Link for information on recent announcements by the Federal Government
Here is a helpful National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) topic page to help keep you updated on recent announcements by the Federal Government that may affect immigration. ISSS will continue to monitor and communicate immediately shall any action from you is required.
Tax Time!
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