November 08, 2024 Immigration Advisory

1. Survey: Your opinion matters to us!
2. Check your I-20/DS-2019. Do you need a program extension? 
3. Plan ahead! OPT processing times can range 90-100 days  
4. Get ready for spring registration – enrollment reminders.  
5. Academic deficiency and reinstatement 
6. Snow! Fun and safety for the winter months ahead
7. Become a Peer Mentor 

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1.  Survey: Your opinion matters to us!

International Student and Scholar Services in the Office of International Programs is here to support you. To do that effectively, we want to learn what you need. You can help us by telling us through an International Student Needs Assessment Survey about your time at WSU so far, including your experiences on campus. The survey is open to all international students at all WSU locations, and it can be accessed via this link. It is completely anonymous, meaning that your answers cannot be connected back to you.   

Participation in this survey is voluntary as well as private, and we value your perspective and hope you will take this opportunity to let your voice be heard. If you have questions about the survey, please reach out to us directly via ISSS Email.

2. Check your I-20/DS-2019. Do you need a program extension?

F-1 students: Program end date is listed in the box entitled “Program of Study” on the first page of your I-20.  

J-1 students: Program end date is listed in box 3 on the first page of your DS-2019.  

Is the end date in 2024? If yes, are you graduating in December? If not, then you NEED to request an extension of your I-20 or DS-2019 BEFORE it ends. Failure to do this will put you out of your legal F-1 or J-1 status. 

Log in to myPassport and go to F-1 or J-1 Student Services (depending on if you are on an F-1 or J-1 student visa) and complete the form called “I-20 Extension Request form” if you are an F-1 student or “DS2019 Extension Request form”  if you are a J-1 student.

Please do not wait until the last minute to do this!

3. Plan ahead! OPT processing times can range 90-100 days

Are you graduating in December 2024 and interested in participating in a post-completion internship in your field in the United States? If so, then you may want to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a benefit of your F-1 status that allows you to work off campus after you graduate as long as you work in a field related to your major.  

This benefit is requested through USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and they are currently taking approximately 90-100 days to review requests. So, if you are interested, do not wait to apply! In addition, you do not need a job offer to apply. Therefore, there is no reason to wait if you know you wish to pursue OPT. 

The application process starts in myPassport: 

1. Log in to myPassport. 
2. Under Employment/Internships, choose Optional Practical Training application. 
3. See the online tutorial and complete all forms. 
4. After providing the requested information hit “submit.” 

We will contact you in about 5 business days to give you the I-20 needed for the OPT submission to USCIS. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office. 

After one year, for STEM extension applicants only: a copy of your diploma or official transcript for earned degree will be required. For graduate students that have not yet earned their degree by the time of STEM extension application, you will be required to maintain enrollment in at least 2 defense credits for the entire initial 12-months OPT time to be eligible for a STEM extension recommendation from our office.

4.  Get ready for spring registration – enrollment reminders

With spring registration coming up, please remember these IMPORTANT enrollment notes. This information will help you maintain your F-1/J-1 status. 

Undergraduate students: You must enroll in AT LEAST 12 credits (9 of those in in-person classes). 

Graduate students: You must enroll in AT LEAST 10 credits (7 of those in in-person classes). 

Will spring 2025 be your final semester and you need less than 12 (or 10) credits to complete your program? Then you need to apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for your last semester. This is a request for our office to authorize you to be enrolled less than full time for your last semester. Please note you do need to be enrolled in in-person credits to be approved an RCL. 

To request a Reduced Course Load please log in to myPassport and complete the appropriate “Reduced Course Load Request” (Graduate or Undergraduate).

5. Academic deficiency and reinstatement

Degree-seeking students whose semester and/or cumulative GPA is below 2.0 after fall 2024 may become academically deficient. Make sure to check your myWSU account when the final grades are posted after finals week.  

If you become deficient, visit the Academic Success and Career Center (ASCC) page.

6. Snow! Fun and safety for the winter months ahead

Snow months in the winter bring new opportunities for new outdoor activities and sports such as sledding, snowball fights, and building snowmen! We encourage you to get outside and have fun and remind you to keep these safety tips in mind. 

• Sign up for WSU emergency text and email alerts! 
• Wear layers!
  • It is chilly outside, but warm inside. Make sure you wear layers of clothing (undershirts, shirts, sweaters, coats, gloves, hats, scarves, etc.) to stay insulated in the cold outdoor air, but so you can easily take off layers to stay comfortable inside.  
• Minimize driving
  • If you must drive somewhere, plan to travel during the daylight hours. 
  • Do not travel alone. 
  • Make sure people know when you are traveling and an estimated time you plan to arrive. 
• Walk carefully
  • The roads and sidewalks should be shoveled and plowed, but there is often a buildup of ice on sidewalks. Sometimes, there is ice that you cannot see well, known as “black ice.” Step carefully. Wear waterproof snow boots. 
  • When it is icy, wear extra traction over your boots, like “Yak Traks.” 
• Make sure you keep your windows closed during winter advisories, so they do not break in storms!

7. Become a Peer Mentor

We’re proud to announce that the application to apply to be an International Student Peer Mentor opened as of November 1, 2024.   

Mentors are current students that volunteer to help newly arrived international students transition to their new lives in the US and at WSU. They connect these students with clubs, events, and resources during their first semester. Mentors can be from any country, including the US, and they can be graduate or undergraduate students. Peer Mentor Volunteers typically spend 1-4 hours a week interacting with their international mentees.   

 This is a great leadership opportunity for students. In addition to meeting people from all over the world, they will be able to develop intercultural communication skills, plan program-wide events, and have several career development opportunities.   

An updated resume and cover letter are all that is required to apply to for this volunteer position. Qualified applicants will be contacted for a 30-minute Zoom interview soon after submission.   

 Here is the link to the Handshake application: Apply Here

The deadline to apply is November 15th at 11:59pm.