International students at Wake Tech need to follow these steps to maintain their F-1 student status:
It is always best to check with the International Student Office if you have questions about immigration status or visa issues.
If you do not comply with F-1 regulations, your F-1 status will be terminated. To restore your F-1 status, you will have to process a reinstatement. There are two ways to reinstate your F-1 status, so discuss your options with the International Student Office before making a decision:
Transfer out
If you would like to transfer your I-20 to another institution, your first step is to apply to the institution. Once you have been accepted and made a final decision, bring or email your acceptance letter to the International Student Office.
Optional practical training (OPT)
If you graduate with an associate degree, you can apply with USCIS to work for one year. During your last semester, the International Student Office will provide guidance on how to apply with USCIS and issue the I-20 with the OPT request. You can apply as early as 90 days before the last day of the semester. However, your OPT paperwork must be received by USCIS before your 60-day grace period ends.
IRS Form 8843
Form 8843 must be filed by all individuals on F-1 visas and their dependents, even if the student has not earned any income in the U.S. If the student has not earned any income, he or she will complete Parts I and III, sign and mail Form 8843 to the IRS. The student should keep a copy for his or her records.
If the student had no U.S. source of income, the student does not need to file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ. If the student receives U.S. income only from interest earned by a U.S. bank account, this is not considered a U.S. source of income for non-residents. Therefore, the student will file only Form 8843. If the student was an international student in the United States for more than five years, the student is considered a resident for federal income tax purposes, and he or she is not required to file Form 8843.
All non-residents living in the U.S. must file a Form 8843 tax return each year by the appropriate deadline. The forms are available at Internal Revenue Service, 4405 Bland Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27609, or call 919-850-1100.