International students are required to update any changes to their personal information within 10 days of the change.

If you change your US address or telephone number, please enter your correct information into your ctcLink profile FIRST, and then fill out ISP’s Contact Information Update Form on the ISP Forms page to let us know what changes you have made. ISP staff will then update the SEVIS database with your new information.

Note: If you are employed on campus, you will also need to notify the Human Resources Department of any changes to your mailing address.

A state ID card is a useful form of identification. An ID card is used for activities such as travel within the U.S., proving your age and identity, and banking.  Within the US, an ID card can be used to show your identity instead of using your passport, so you can place your passport in a secure place and not worry about losing it.

An ID card does not authorize you to drive a car.  If you want to drive a car, you must get a Driver’s License.

Visit the Washington State Department of Licensing for more information and instructions for how to receive an ID card.

A Driver’s License can also be used as an ID card, and allows you to drive a car.  The steps below explain how you can apply for a Driver’s License.

Visit your local Department of Licensing (DOL) Office with the following original documents:

• Passport and visa
• I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status
• I-94, Arrival/Departure Record – visit the I-94 – Travel Records for U.S. Visitors website to print your proof of visitor status.
• SEVIS Page generated from the ISP office.  Request yours here.
• Washington school transcript (current or previous school year; if not available, you need to have your current class schedule printed out)
• Fees: cash and checks are accepted at all offices. Credit/debit cards are accepted at most offices, but there will be a transaction fee added. See the Department of Licensing website for current licensing fees.

First license? You will need to pass a knowledge test, vision screening, and a driving test. These tests are administered at separate testing centers. If you would like to practice driving before the driving test, you will also need to purchase an instruction permit. You must pass the knowledge test and vision screening before you will be given a permit. Testing Centers are found throughout the local area.

Under 18? You must have a parent or guardian authorize your application, and you must complete at least 50 hours of driving practice before you can take the driving test. View steps to getting your first license.

Already have a license? If you have a valid license from another US state, British Columbia, Germany, South Korea, or Taiwan, there are no tests required. (Taiwanese citizens, please contact TECO for assistance.) Learn how to get a Washington State Driver License.

Official transcripts are used by students transferring to another college or university. They are delivered in a sealed envelope, guaranteeing authenticity, or sent electronically if the recipient is a Washington State public college or university.

View Highline College Transcripts for more information about transcript processing, including fees and processing time.

Note: You can view and print unofficial transcripts on your own from your ctcLink account. This is free and immediate, and it’s a good way for you to check the information on your transcript before you request an official copy. Furthermore, in some cases an unofficial transcript may be sufficient.

If you would like to change your major, you must do two things.

1. You must notify ISP by completing the I-20 Request Form using the link on the ISP Forms page. ISP will update your major in the Highline database and also issue you an updated I-20.
2. Complete the Faculty Advisor Request Form and a new advisor will be assigned to you within 1-2 weeks. It is important that you are matched with a faculty advisor who teaches in your major area of study.

The credits you earned at other schools might count toward your degree or certificate at Highline. You can save time and money by transferring those credits. You will need official transcripts for the evaluation process.

Students who have studied at an accredited college or university in the United States or in their home country (must be recognized by the Ministry of Education in your country) are eligible to transfer credits to Highline.

International Transcripts

For information about transferring credits from schools outside the United States, please visit Highline’s International Transcript Evaluation page.

General Information

For general information about transcript evaluation and credit transfer, visit the Highline Transcript Evaluation page.

ISP can issue several types of letters that may be useful to you.

• Military Service Letter, verifying DOB, SID, major, first quarter, last quarter, current # of credits.
• Bank Letter, verifying DOB, SID, first quarter, current # of credits, tuition & fees.
• US Embassy or Consulate Letter, inviting relative(s) to apply for visitor visa.

To request any of the ISP letters, please submit the Letter and Invoice Request Form on the ISP Forms Page.

You can also request a letter directly from Highline College called an “Enrollment Verification.” Enrollment verifications are processed in two ways.

1. International students who already have a Social Security Number on file with Highline College may view and print an enrollment verification certificate online using the Highline College Enrollment Verification page.
2. All other international students must submit an enrollment verification form at the Registration Counter in Building 6.

For more information, please visit the Highline College Enrollment Verification page.

There are special circumstances in which the government allows international students to take fewer than 12 credits, and/or fewer than 7 in-class credits:

• Last quarter: students who are in the final quarter of their program are allowed to take only the classes they need to graduate, even if it means dropping below 12. However, students must still take at least one in-person credit in order to receive approval.
• Medical issues: students who have a medical condition that makes a full time course load difficult. Note: Students must submit a doctor’s note that clearly indicates that the student has a medical condition which will make full-time enrollment impossible  for a specific period of time. Anticipated medical leave must be approved BEFORE the quarter starts. If a student requests a medical leave and/or provides documentation after the quarter starts, they must be enrolled appropriately as a full-time student up until the time of the approval.

To request approval for part-time study, please submit the appropriate form at on the ISP Forms Page.

In order to receive a diploma/certificate after you complete your academic program at Highline, you MUST submit a graduation application in ctcLink. It is recommended that you do this as soon as you enroll in your final quarter of classes. Visit Graduation Page to learn more. 

Furthermore, international students must apply for graduation before they can receive certain benefits, such as part-time study during your last quarter or applying for OPT.

Please note: It is YOUR responsibility to apply for graduation and complete the courses for your degree. Make sure you meet with your faculty advisor regularly and read all of your email from Highline.

All international students who plan to leave Highline for any reason must fill out the ISP Exit Form, available on the ISP Forms page.

1. Research schools on the web or contact the admissions office for materials to be mailed to your home.
   • Check out Highline’s online Transfer Center for useful information about transferring to university.
   • Attend the Highline International Transfer Fair. This fair hosts 85-100 universities throughout the United States, and is offered in Fall and Winter. Check your Instant Info newsletter for updates.
   • Some common university search and ranking sites are: US News & World Report, College Board, and College Source.
2. Look for admission requirements such as minimum GPA and/or English proficiency to ensure you are qualified.
3. Review the step-by-step application process for your new school
   • Every school has a little different process. Note, for example, that some universities only accept online applications. Pay attention to the details.
   • Pay close attention to application dates, and apply before the deadline.
     We recommend that students apply to at least 3 universities: the dream school, the good school, and a back-up school that you know you can enter.
4. Apply for admission as early as possible.
   • Check the Transfer Center’s “Transfer Timeline and Checklist” to help you plan ahead.
   • Most students apply for admission before they complete their courses at Highline. If you wait until you finish your classes before you apply for admission, it’s too late.
5. Submit your application materials such as bank statements and home country transcripts.
   • Any documents given to Highline in the past are kept in our files, and cannot be sent to another school. Ask for new copies from your bank or high school/college.
6. After you have been granted admission, and after you have decided which university to attend, please fill out ISP’s Exit Form so that an ISP advisor can transfer your SEVIS record to the new school.  Read more about this at “Transfer Out” below.

If you lose your I-20, you must request a new one. Your I-20 must also be updated whenever your information changes, for instance if you transfer schools, change your major, change your program dates, or make any other change that must be updated on your I-20.

To request a new I-20, go to the I-20 request form on the ISP Forms page.

Passport

You must have a valid passport at all times. In most cases, to enter the United States, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date you enter. However, some countries have an agreement with the United States that allows you to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration. Visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement  for a list of these countries.

Many countries will allow you to renew your passport while in the United States. The other alternative is to renew your passport when you return home for a visit. You need to determine your country’s requirements and timelines for renewing passports. Generally, you can find renewal information on your embassy’s website. ISP recommends beginning the renewal process at least six months prior to the passport’s expiration date.

F-1 Visa

It is not necessary for you to have a valid visa while you’re in the US, as long as you are maintaining your status. Visa renewals cannot be done within the US. ISP recommends that you plan your international travel carefully so as to have time to renew expired visas while in your home country.

All international students who plan to leave Highline for any reason must fill out the ISP Exit Form, available on the ISP Forms page.

If you plan to leave Highline to transfer to a University or other US school:

1. Apply to the next school and gain acceptantance. Some schools will ask you to submit a Transfer Form (or similar) as part of the application process. These schools will provide their own forms, and you will pass them to an ISP Advisor for completion.
2. Submit the Exit Form, available on the ISP Forms page.
3. Provide ISP with a copy of your acceptance letter. An electronic copy is fine. You can send this directly to int@highline.edu and it will be passed to the ISP Advisor processing your request.
4. If you will complete a degree or certificate at Highline in your final quarter, see the section “Apply for Graduation” above.

What happens next:

1. 1. The ISP advisor will verify that your SEVIS record is active and eligible to be transferred.
   2. The ISP advisor will schedule the transfer of your SEVIS record for the day after the current quarter end date, if you are still studying, or for the same day, if you have already stopped studying and are within your grace period.
   3. The ISP advisor will send you a confirmation email.
   4. Once your record is released in SEVIS, the new school has control over your I-20 and immigration record. They will issue you a new I-20 either prior to your arrival or within 30 days after you begin your new program. If you plan to travel internationally between the date of the SEVIS transfer and your first day at your new school, you will need to obtain a “transfer pending I-20″ from your next school’s international office in order to re-enter the US. Your Highline I-20 may not be used for international travel once the SEVIS record has been released.

Please note:

• You must submit your Exit Form and proof of acceptance within 30 days after your final study quarter if you did not complete an academic program, or within 60 days if you did complete an academic program.
• Your next program start date must be within 5 months of your last study date (or, if you are on Post-Completion OPT, within 5 months of your last date of employment).
• Government rules state that students who cannot begin class at the new school within 5 months of finishing their previous program must leave the United States by the end of their grace period. If a student can begin their program within 5 months, he or she can remain inside the United States if they wish.

All international students who plan to leave Highline for any reason must fill out the ISP Exit Form, available on the ISP Forms page.  Please also use this form if you have changed your status, even if you plan to remain at Highline in a new status, so that the ISP staff can update your SEVIS record and ctclink account appropriately.

Students who are considering changing to a status other than F-1 are encouraged to meet with Eva Engelhard, Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for status-related advising and information.

Please review the F-1 Visa Regulations document for important information.

Once you enter the US with a Highline I-20 and student visa, you are required to report to Highline College within 30 days (or on the date printed on your acceptance letter, whichever comes first). Please bring your I-20 and passport with you when you check in. If you plan to travel internationally before your program start date, request a travel signature on your I-20 from the ISP staff. You must have this extra signature on your I-20 in order to re-enter the US.

If you plan to travel outside the United States during your program, make sure you follow these travel regulations:

1. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months. If it isn’t, make arrangements to get a new one at your home country’s embassy or consulate within the US. Passport renewal can take 1-3 months, so plan ahead.
2. Check the date of the travel signature on page 2 of your I-20. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months (or 6 months if you are currently on OPT). If the signature will be older than 12 months at the time of your return, or if you do not have a travel signature at all, you will need request a travel signature.
3. If your F-1 visa has expired (or will expire before you return to the US), you will need to renew it before you return. (See below for exceptions to this rule). ISP recommends that you plan your international travel carefully so as to have time to renew your expired visa while in your home country. Visa renewals cannot be done within the US.
4. If you are going to a country that is not your home or the US, check to see if you need a visa or if there are any other restrictions or regulations. If you are traveling to Canada, you can check whether you need a visa to enter Canada. If you do, please get the Canadian visa using the instructions on the consulate website. Unfortunately, ISP staff cannot provide specific information about travel requirements to other countries.
5. You should carry your I-20, passport, and a copy of your most recent Highline transcript when you travel. Learn how to get your unofficial transcript in ctcLink. It is also recommended that you carry proof that you have sufficient funds to continue studying in the US (such as a bank statement).
6. For more information about traveling internationally, please see the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

In most cases, once you have completed your program and have entered your grace period you may not travel outside the country and re-enter with the same I-20. Students who plan to transfer to another school must use the I-20 from their next school for re-entry.

Students who have applied for OPT must use their updated I-20, with the OPT endorsement, for international travel after the program end date. Please see the OPT page for specific rules about traveling before or during OPT.

If you are from a country that participates in the visa waiver program, you may be able to re-enter the US using ESTA. This allows students in their grace period to exit in “student” status and re-enter the US in “tourist” status. This is a convenient option for people who want to return to the US for tourism activities; those who enter with ESTA cannot study or work in the US.

Ask an advisor if you have any questions or are unsure if this applies to you.

If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for less than 30 days, you may re-enter the US using an expired F-1 visa, as long as your passport and I-20 are current. For more information about this, visit the Customs and Border Protection website.

Travel signatures are provided by ISP staff on page 2 of the I-20. They are valid for 12 months (or 6 months if you are currently on OPT). If you plan to travel outside the United States, you need to make sure your I-20 signature will be less than 12 months old at the time of your return. If you do not have a travel signature, or if the signature will be too old, you must request a new signature. Submit your I-20 to the ISP front desk at least 2 business days before you plan to leave the US.

You will receive a travel signature if you meet all of the following conditions:

• You must submit your current I-20 to the front desk. If you have lost your I-20, you may request a replacement on the ISP Forms page.
• You must be in status.
• You must be fully registered (and/or waitlisted) for the upcoming quarter, or you must have already been approved for a vacation quarter or part-time study.

Before planning travel to or through Canada, check the Canadian Government website to determine whether you need a visa. Even if you do not need a visa, you will likely need an Electronic Transit Authorization (eTA) if you plan to fly through Canada on your way to another destination.

Processing times and fees vary, but ISP recommends planning at least one month ahead for any travel that includes Canada. Also, additional documents are required for people under age 18. For more information on what to expect upon arrival to Canada, view the information on the Visit Canada: Prepare for Arrival website.

1. Please meet with an ISP advisor to discuss the reasons why you are going home. Depending on your specific situation, the advisor will be able to assist you with dropping classes, possible tuition refunds, and a new I-20, if needed. You may need to submit some documents, like an add/drop form or ISP exit form.
   • Bring your I-20 to your meeting so the advisor can check the signature on page 2. If you need a new signature, they can do that for you.
2. If your trip is short and you plan to return to finish the quarter, you must talk to your teachers and let them know. You can work out any homework or testing issues directly with them.
3. You should carry your I-20, passport, I-94 card, and a copy of your most recent Highline transcript when you travel.

If you are leaving for more than 5 months, you will need a new I-20 to return to the U.S. You will need to pay the SEVIS fee again as well.

Please keep in touch with your advisor so we can provide you with correct information in case your plans change.

International students are eligible for a vacation quarter once per academic year. Students become eligible for a vacation quarter after they have studied in the US for 3 consecutive quarters (or 30 weeks, if their studies are a mix of quarter-based programs and weekly programs, such as Kaplan). Additionally, students who start at Highline with an “initial” (not transfer) I-20 in winter or spring quarters may use their first summer as a vacation quarter.

During an approved vacation quarter, students may study part-time or choose to take zero credits. If you do choose to take classes, there are no face-to-face credit requirements.  Furthermore, a person on an approved vacation quarter may stay in the US or travel, as they wish.

To request a vacation quarter, complete the appropriate form on the ISP Forms Page and wait for a response to your Highline email account (usually within 2 business days). ISP recommends registering as a full-time student until you know you have been approved for a vacation quarter.

All tuition payment is made through ctcLink. Learn how to pay for tuition.

Learn about payment plan options.

Ensure that you pay your tuition, or sign up for a payment plan, by the payment deadline. Check Highline’s dates and deadlines carefully for due dates.

Students who fail to meet the deadline will have all of their classes dropped for nonpayment.

For more information about tuition costs, visit Highline’s Tuition page.  You may also see a breakdown of estimated tuition and costs for international students on our Tuition & Costs page.

Medical insurance is included in your quarterly tuition. See the Medical Insurance section for more information.

International students must file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) every year, whether they earn money or not. It is very important to file the forms each year. If you apply for benefits later, such as permanent residency, the government may ask for proof that you filed your taxes.

Highline’s ISP department has teamed up with Sprintax to provide you with an easy-to-use tax preparation software designed for nonresident students in the US. We (and all other college staff) are not qualified or allowed to provide individual tax advice.

After you login to Sprintax, you will be asked a series of questions about the time you have spent in the US over recent years. Sprintax will then determine your tax status. If it determines that you are a “nonresident alien” (NRA) for federal tax purposes, you can continue to use the software to respond to a series of guided questions. Sprintax will then complete and generate the tax forms you need to send to the tax authorities. However, if Sprintax determines that you are a resident alien for federal tax purposes, you won’t be able to continue using the software.

Given the current challenges of remote students trying to access tax information this season, the Sprintax team hosts a series of free open tax webinars to provide helpful information around nonresident tax filing obligations. Sessions are typically offered from January through April.

Sprintax Open Tax Webinars for Filing Season 2023

• Thursday December 7^th @ 11 am PT – Register here
• Wednesday January 24^th @ 12 pm PT – Register here
• Thursday February 8^th @ 10 am PT – Register here
• Tuesday February 20^th @ 9 am PT – Register here
• Tuesday March 5^th @ 1 pm PT – Register here
• Wednesday March 20^th @ 11 am PT – Register here
• Wednesday March 27^th @ 10 am PT – Register here
• Thursday April 4^th @ 12 pm PT – Register here
• Wednesday April 10^th @ 9 am PT – Register here
• Monday April 15^th @ 10 am PT – Register here

 The informational webinars will cover the same topics on each occasion:

• An overview of tax for nonresident students and scholars
• Who must file a US tax return
• What income forms students/scholars may receive
• Forms that need to be completed and sent to the IRS
• We cover terms like FICA, ITIN and Form 1098-T
• What happens if students don’t file, or misfile
• State tax returns
• IRS stimulus payments
• Sprintax overview

Sprintax also offers OPT/CPT webinars in the coming months to help prepare students for OPT/CPT from a tax perspective.

Sprintax OPT/CPT Tax Webinars

• Tuesday December 5^th @ 11 am PT – Register here
• Tuesday January 16^th @ 9 am PT – Register here