Effective immediately, F student visas can now be issued up to 365 days in advance of the I-20 program start date, allowing more time for students to apply for a visa. Students are still not allowed to enter the U.S. on a student visa more than 30 days before their program start date. For a full overview of the visa application process, please see the Student Visa Application page.
If you were present in the United States (U.S.) during any part of calendar year 2022 in any immigration status other than B or WT/WB (ESTA), there is at least one tax form (IRS Form 8843) you must file with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) this spring. Below is what you should consider in preparation for the coming tax filing season. If you were not in the U.S. at all during 2022, you do not need to complete any tax forms at this year.
Review the HIO Tax FAQ and Tax Filing Overview for background on the U.S. tax system and tax filing deadline dates for 2022.
If you received income from Harvard in 2022 (including wages for on-campus work or fellowship stipends), you will need a tax reporting document from the University. Review the various type of tax reporting documents, as well as information about where to locate the forms, here.
The HIO licenses a software called Sprintax, which will assist all tax nonresidents with their federal and state tax filing. Current students, scholars, and student interns may log in to use Sprintax using their Harvard key. The cost for federal U.S. filings are covered by the Harvard license. State filings for all 50 U.S. states can be done using Sprintax for an additional fee, listed here.
If you are no longer an active student or scholar at Harvard and need to file taxes for 2022, please contact the HIO via email (internationaloffice@harvard.edu) to request a unique access code to use Sprintax.
This season, Sprintax will be hosting a series of free open tax webinars to provide helpful information around nonresident tax filing obligations. You can find the details and registration links on the HIO's Tax Filing Overview page.
If you are planning on traveling internationally over the winter break, please check to ensure that you have all required immigration documents necessary to re-enter the U.S.
If you need a travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, please review the applicable instructions below.
F-1 students or J-1 students and scholars may request a travel signature to be sent via email by completing the Travel Signature Request Form.
You may also:
Visit the HIO for a travel signature during our walk in travel signature hours, which take place Monday - Friday from 12pm - 2pm on the 8th floor of the Smith Campus Center.
The HIO also hosts travel signature hours in the Longwood area for students, student interns, and scholars. An HIO Advisor will be available every other Wednesday from 1:00pm - 3:00pm in Gordon 006 (at the HMS/HSDM Office for Postdoctoral Fellows - see map). The full schedule may be found here.
For more information on contacting the HIO, please see Contact Us.
