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
- Sponsored student concerns
- Mental health and crisis support – INCLUDE AE/BRIDGE
- Cancellation of enrollment
- Taxes – INCLUDE AE/BRIDGE
- Visa revalidation is NOT a visa renewal – INCLUDE AE/BRIDGE
- ISSS limited staff between Oct. 7- Oct. 10
- Sponsored student concerns
If you are a sponsored student (a foreign government or entity is paying for your education), then you have additional rules and regulations that you must follow to ensure you maintain your scholarship and funding from your sponsor. As a reminder, these rules are in addition to the WSU and U.S immigration rules and it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you are following them.
If you wish to take a class at another educational institution, for example, always do the following BEFORE YOU ENROLL:
- Speak with your sponsor to see what is needed for the class to be covered by them.
- Speak with your advisor to see if they recommend you take this class and can provide any supporting documentation to your sponsor.
Again, it is your responsibility to do this BEFORE you enroll in the class. Academic advisors have the right to refuse to write letters in support of actions you took without their recommendation. So, plan ahead!
- Mental health and crisis support
If you ever feel overwhelmed, know that this is perfectly normal. And remember you are not alone! WSU and our office are here to support you while you are going through a tough time.
Cougar Health Services offers mental health and crisis support services free of charge. Please visit Cougar Health Services Site for more information.
- Cancellation of enrollment
If you are thinking of canceling your enrollment (dropping/withdrawing all your courses this semester), please note that this WILL impact your immigration status.
To maintain your F-1 or J-1 status, you must maintain full-time enrollment. If you cancel your classes, you will be OUT OF STATUS.
So, if you need to depart the U.S. or WSU for the semester and will be requesting a cancellation of courses, please speak with an international student advisor first!
- Taxes
Tax season is soon approaching (January through April), so its time to start get familiarized with its terms and regulations. Please visit our website to learn more about taxes and what to prepare for: ISSS Taxes Website
- Visa revalidation is NOT a visa renewal
Under the automatic revalidation provision, certain temporary visitors holding expired nonimmigrant visas who seek to return to the U.S. may be admitted at a U.S. port of entry by CBP if they meet certain requirements, including nonimmigrants who departed the United States for brief travel to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island (for F and J nonimmigrants) for 30 days or less.
Automatic revalidation is NOT the same as applying for a new visa. If you apply for a new nonimmigrant visa you cannot take advantage of automatic revalidation.
If you travel outside of the U.S. to a country other than the ones listed above, you MUST obtain a new visa stamp at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad to be able to return, even if you were granted automatic revalidation in the past.
Please speak with an international student advisor BEFORE any international trip to make sure you have the necessary documents for re-entry.
- ISSS limited staff between Oct. 7- Oct. 10
Please note most of our staff will be attending a professional development conference between October 7-10. So, response to emails and processing of requests in myPassport may be delayed.
If you have any questions about the above announcement, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.
- WSU Pullman students contact +1 509-335-4508 or ip.intlservices@wsu.edu
- WSU Everett, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver students contact Nitivia Jones at nitivia.jones@wsu.edu