Our dedicated International Student Services team is committed to providing comprehensive support, from navigating immigration requirements to fostering a vibrant global community.
Ninah Pretto
Associate Dean of Students
Director of International Student Services
Mariia Smirnova
Associate Director of International Student Services
Dear Seniors,
You are invited to the graduation party you can’t miss — a night we’ve thoughtfully planned to celebrate you, your journey, and everything you’ve accomplished.
⏰ Date and time: May 25 (Monday) 5:00 - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: The Williams Inn
If you’ve never attended an ISS event before — this is your moment. No excuses. This is the one to show up for:
Mediterranean buffet-style dinner
Professional graduation photographer (for the first time ever!) — we’ve invested in bringing in a highly sought-after photographer so you can walk away with stunning, high-quality photos that truly capture this moment (P.S. Truly LOVE her work; check it out!)
Sashes and pins distribution to mark this milestone
Music, laughter, and one last chance to be together as a community before graduation
We have earned this celebration; let’s make it count — RSVP NOW below, so we can plan the photographer’s schedule accordingly!
We invite you to join an upcoming virtual session, “Ask an Immigration Attorney: Pathways After F-1 Visa,” designed to help you better understand your options beyond your current status.
Date: May 7 (next Thursday)
Time: 2:30–4:00 PM
Location: Zoom
During this session, immigration attorney Mary Walsh (Partner at Iandoli Desai & Cronin, P.C.) will cover:
Work visa options and challenges during F-1, OPT, and beyond
Long-term planning, including green card pathways
Potential avenues for international entrepreneurs
Key immigration trends and policy considerations in the current political climate
Important: You must RSVP via the Google Form below to receive the Zoom link and access to the session recording.
Staying on campus during spring break? Join ISS and TAPSi for a fun day trip to Albany, NY! We’ll visit international stores, explore the mall, and enjoy lunch together. 🛍️🍜
📅 Date: Wednesday, March 25
📍 Destination: Albany, NY
🍽️ Lunch is covered!
🚐 Space is limited—sign up ASAP!
Tax season is here, and we are here to help! You MUST file something to IRS as a non-resident regardless of receiving income and/or scholarship.
We understand that the tax filing process can be complex, and we are here to assist you. As a result, we are bringing you this collaboration with Williams Payroll Office and the International Student Association (ISA) for our Taxes & Pizza Nights — a casual and supportive space where you can file your taxes together, enjoy some pizza, and get your questions answered.
📅 March, 19- Thursday @ 5.30PM (will be framed specifically for first-years, but all years are welcome!)
📍 Location: Griffin 3
📅 March, 16 - Monday @ 5.30PM (all years are welcome!)
📍 Location: Bronfman Auditorium
Please make sure to RSVP here, so we can make sure that we will adjust our food options accordingly!
What to Bring:
Your laptop
Your tax documents (W-2, 1042-S, etc.)
You are warmly invited to join Global Circle: How Can We Help? — a supportive space for international students to connect, share, and support one another.
This gathering is meant to be both a community-building space and a place where you can talk openly about what’s on your mind. Whether you want to share a challenge, ask for advice, listen to others’ experiences, or simply meet new people, you are welcome here. We’ll also have a short interactive activity to help everyone get to know each other in a relaxed, friendly setting.
Event Details:
📅 Date: THIS Monday, March 9
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Davis Center
✨ FREE lunch from Vermont Chef (will have to-go containers, if you are abstaining from food)
Immigrant Visa Processing Pause – Effective January 14, 2026
Effective immediately, the U.S. Department of State has announced a pause in immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries that have been identified as being at high risk of public benefits usage. This pause applies to immigrant visa categories processed through U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
At this time, this pause does NOT apply to non-immigrant visa categories, including:
F-1 student visas
J-1 student and exchange scholar visas
Other temporary visa categories, such as H-1B, TN, E-3, O, and similar classifications
Students and scholars who currently hold or are applying for non-immigrant visas should not be affected by this specific announcement.
International Student Services (ISS) will continue to monitor Department of State updates closely and seek additional guidance on the implications of this development. We will share further information as it becomes available.
For complex immigration matters or legal concerns, we recommend consulting a qualified immigration attorney or an accredited representative for personalized assistance.