Office of International Students and Scholars
DHS Publishes Final Rule
As of July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized the final rule on Duration of Status (D/S) for F and J status holders.
Refer to the DHS Published Changes section for more on what to expect for your upcoming arrival.
E KOMO MAI I HAWAIʻI NEI,
Aloha and welcome to Hawaiʻi Pacific University and the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). HPU is home to more than 450 international students and scholars from over 40 countries, whose diverse perspectives enrich our campus community. OISS is committed to supporting international educational exchange and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
OISS supports students and scholars from admission through graduation by providing guidance on immigration, cultural adjustment, academic, financial, and personal matters, and connecting students with additional campus resources when needed.
- For questions about billing, scholarships, payments, or refunds, please contact the Business Office.
- For transcripts, enrollment verification, visiting student registration (including class changes), or immunization and vaccination records, please contact the Registrar's Office.
Please note that OISS is not a U.S. government agency. Students should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country for visa application questions and procedures.
It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to maintain your immigration status and ensure your Form I-20 remains valid. If you need additional time to complete your program or are changing to another program at HPU, contact OISS before your I-20 expiration date. Failure to extend or update your I-20 before it expires may result in a SEVIS violation and serious immigration consequences with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Information on this page is subject to change without notice. If you have questions about maintaining your immigration status, please contact OISS. For additional information about enrollment requirements, visit USCIS at www.uscis.gov.
International Student Handbook
CARRYING IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS
U.S. law requires all non-U.S. citizens age 18 and older to carry proof of their lawful immigration status at all times [8 U.S. Code § 1304(e)].
For F-1 and J-1 students, your most recent Form I-94 meets this requirement. You can print your Form I-94 from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov
Keep these documents in a Safe, accessible place
You do not need to carry these documents every day, but keep them available if needed:
- Valid passport
- Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1)
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if you are on OPT
We recommend keeping clear, color copies of these documents for general everyday reference and carrying the original documents when traveling.
Real ID Requirement
Effective May 7, 2025, all travelers (including F-1 and J-1 international students) must show a REAL ID compliant identification to board domestic flights within the U.S. and to enter certain federal buildings.
To determine if your driver's license or state ID is REAL ID compliant, look for a star symbol on the card. If you do not have a REAL ID compliant driver's license or state ID, you may use a valid passport as an acceptable form of identification.
For more information about REAL ID requirements, visit the TSA's REAL ID webpage: https://www.tsa.gov/realid.
As an international student or scholar, you are responsible for following the rules of your F or J visa. To keep your visa status valid, you must:
- Keep your passport valid at all times.
- Enroll as a full-time student according to your registration regulations and make normal progress toward your degree (students only)
- IMPORTANT: Do not drop below full-time enrollment without receiving approval from OISS before making changes to your schedule.
- Report any changes to your U.S. address, email address, or phone number to OISS within 10 days.
- Notify OISS if you change your academic program or major (e.g. changing from History to Political Science or from a Bachelor's degree to a Master's degree)
- Check the expiration date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 regularly. Request any necessary extensions before the expiration date
- Maintain required health insurance for yourself and any dependents. Continuing students must also submit a health insurance waiver to OISS each semester or academic year, based on their insurance coverage dates.
- Work only if you have the proper authorization. Contact OISS before beginning any off-campus employment or practical training.
- If you plan to travel outside the U.S. and return, make sure your Form I-20 or DS-2019 has a valid travel signature before you leave.
- Follow all U.S. federal, state, and local laws. Do not participate in illegal activities.
- After every entry or re-entry to the U.S., check your electronic I-94 record to confirm you were admitted in the correct visa category (F-1 or J-1). You can view your record on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search
The Office of International Student Services (OISS) is here to support international students and scholars throughout their time at the University. Our purpose is to:
- Represent the University with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of State, and other government agencies that oversee international students and scholars.
- Provide guidance, information, and immigration documents to help international students and scholars maintain their legal status in the United States.
- Support international students and scholars as they adjust to life in the United States and become part of the University community.
- Help the University comply with U.S. immigration laws and regulations related to international students and scholars.
- Serve as a resource for University departments that work with international students and scholars.
OPT Workshop Date and Information
If you plan to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), you must attend an OPT workshop listed in the monthly OISS newsletter before you can receive OISS approval for your application. OISS approval is required before you submit your OPT application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Applications submitted without OISS approval may be denied or rejected.
Students applying for Post-Completion OPT may begin the application process only during their final semester. Participating in the graduation ceremony ("walking") does not mean you are in your final semester or eligible to apply.
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Dates |
Location |
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Please refer to OISS newsletter for dates and times. |
In-person |
All OPT workshops are discussion-based sessions that cover the OPT timeline, application process, and important regulations for students participating in OPT. Workshops are held in person, and students must RSVP in advance to reserve a place.