Immigration

• F-1 Students: 9 or more must be on campus
• J-1 Students: 12 or more must be on campus

• F-1 Students: 6 or more must be on campus
• J-1 Students: 9 or more must be on campus

• F-1 students may only count 3 credits (or 1 course) of online/distance learning per semester toward their full course of study requirement.
• J-1 students may not count any credits toward their full course of study requirement.

• You may have additional enrollment expectations or requirements.
• It is your responsibility to check in with your sponsor, home institution, or scholarship provider to identify if they have minimum credit requirements to maintain your status in these programs.

• Certain graduate programs have different full-time enrollment agreements. Please check with your academic advisor to ensure you are enrolled full-time for your program type if you are pursuing a graduate degree in one of these programs.

• An F-1 student may work on-campus at Colorado State University Pueblo as long as the student is in good academic standing and maintains their immigration status.
• On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours total per week during the Fall and Spring semesters, but there is no limit during official University vacation periods.
• It is your responsibility as the student to track your hours, working more than 20 hours per week could result in a violation of compliance and loss of your F-1 status.
• On-campus employment ability ends when you finish your studies and/or transfer out your SEVIS record. For graduate students, your completion of studies date will be determined by the semester you defended your thesis and/or coursework, regardless of when the degree will be conferred, per 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(C).

• Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantship hours are counted as on-campus employment and are limited to the 20 hour per week limit while classes are in session.
• GRA’s and GTA’s can increase their work hours during official university vacations. Some key facts to know are the F1 Student Employment Timeline, the F1 STEM Extension Timeline and knowing all important numbers as an F-1 student.
• All other work for any kind of compensation (free housing, groceries, laptops, etc.) is considered to be employment and is not authorized unless the student has approved work authorization under Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training.For more information on OPT or CPT please reach out to a DSO.

• Making sure that your program end date listed on your I-20 has not passed.
• Following the correct procedure to update your program if you choose to change major by communicating with a DSO.
• Submit an Out of Country request while you participate in research or study abroad opportunities and have a travel signature for international travel with an accompanying Travel Signature Request Form.

• Plan to change your major, program, or degree level
• Drop a class
• Change your education level
• Plan to transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence 
• Plan to take a break from school
• Travel outside of the U.S.
• Move to a new address
• Wish to request a program extension

Update Your Contact Information Here

All international students, Exchange Visitors, and their dependents who were issued an immigration document by CSU Pueblo are required to get a travel signature from a DSO before they travel internationally.

Travel signatures are valid for multiple entries. However, we suggest you receive a new travel signature or review the signature each time you travel internationally.

To receive a new travel signature, please complete a Travel Signature Request Form and bring this form to the Center in OSC 104 M-F, 8 am to 5 pm. The average processing time for travel signatures can be 2-3 business days, with additional time needed at high volume times. Our office is busiest at the beginning of each semester and around the holidays.

Pro Tip: if you book your flights a month or more before your travel dates, check your travel signature as you book your flights!

• Check page 2 of your most recent I-20.
• Under ‘Travel Endorsement,’ is there a signature? If not, you need a travel signature.
• If there is already a signature here, will the date be 1 year old or older upon your next re-entry to the U.S.?
  • If not, you don’t need a new travel signature.
  • If so, you will need a new travel signature.

• Check page 2 of your most recent I-20.
• Under ‘Travel Endorsement,’ is there a signature? If not, you need a travel signature.
• If there is already a signature here, will the date be 6 months old or older upon your next re-entry to the U.S.?
  • If not, you don’t need a new travel signature.
  • If so, you will need a new travel signature.

• Travel around the United States. Please be aware that any international travel forfeits any remaining time left in the grace period
• Apply for Post-Completion OPT
• Apply for a new/additional degree program at CSU Pueblo
• Transfer your SEVIS record to a new school

Income taxes are often complicated, even for those living in the United States their whole lives.  International student advisors and staff at CSU Pueblo do not have the proper training or legal authority to offer direct assistance with the completion of tax returns, but we can provide you the resources below. 

• Almost everyone, including dependents. 
• Nonresident aliens in the U.S. in any nonimmigrant status, including a dependent status, must file Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 8843, even if no income was earned. 
• Nonresidents who received U.S. source income in a given year must also file federal and state tax returns. Income may include wages, scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, etc.  
• For nonresident aliens, income does not include bank interest.
• Nonresidents who received U.S. source income during a particular tax year should file Form 1040NR by the filing deadline of the following year.  
• Individuals with tax treaty benefits or otherwise expecting to receive Form 1042-S from CSU Pueblo should wait until that form is received (usually in March) before attempting to prepare a tax return. 

• Generally, F-1 (and their F-2 dependents) are considered tax nonresidents for the first five calendar years. 
• J-1 scholars (and J-2 dependents) are usually considered tax nonresidents for two calendar years (if not previously exempt). 
• H-1B employees are usually residents or dual residents after holding H-1B status for more than 183 days. 
• If you are married to a tax resident, you may choose to be a tax resident. 

For specific information on determining your tax residency status, see IRS Publication 519 (downloadable from www.irs.gov). For  Sprintax users, Sprintax will determine your tax residency status through your portal. 

WHERE CAN I RECEIVE HELP WITH MY TAX FORMS?
Sprintax is available free of charge for international students, faculty, staff, and visiting scholars who are associated with Colorado State University Pueblo at any time during the calendar year.  Sprintax is a web-based program that completes nonresident tax forms based on the information you provide. Sprintax is expected to be available starting in mid-February. 

Sprintax is not the same as the GLACIER Online Tax Compliance software used by the CSU Pueblo Payroll Office for calculating tax withholding. Sprintax is accessed by visiting their website and entering your User ID and Password from last year (only if you used Sprintax last year) or creating a new account.

Individuals that used Sprintax last year can use the same User ID and Password again and retrieve a copy of last year’s return. If you are new to Sprintax, you will be prompted to create your own unique username and password. Sprintax does charge a separate fee if you are also required to file a state tax return. The Center will make the common access code available by email, so please be vigilant of any emails received from our office during the Spring Semester. Please send a message to victoria.ruiz@csupueblo.edu if you have any questions. Please do not share the code with individuals not associated with CSU Pueblo.

After completing your tax forms, be sure to follow the included instructions for submitting your forms to the appropriate tax authorities. E-filing will be available through Sprintax for some individuals depending on the specifics of your tax filing situation. 

• Tax information for Foreign Students and Scholars 
• Internal Revenue Service