New Students

Visa services differ based on conditions in each country. Covid-19 may impact such services.

To locate embassy or consulate website, go to https://www.usembassy.gov 

Current U.S. entry bans bar visitors coming from certain countries. Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland with valid F-1 and M-1 visas have been granted an exception from these bans. J-1 students should request a National Interest Exception (NIE) from a U.S. embassy or consulate. If applying for a visa, this is normally notated on the document. 

Admission to the United States is still subject to inspection by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 Please visit the ISS new international student page to complete the required visa clearance process and learn about new student resources.

Yes.

All arrivals to Hawaii (residents and non-residents) are required to quarantine for at least 14 days in one place of lodging. Read and follow the directions on the Hawaii Department of Transportation website regarding Continental United States and International Travelers.

Hawaii has also launched the Safe Travel Hawaii Program, which allows travelers to bypass the quarantine with a confirmed negative Covid-19 test from a trusted partner taken within 72 hours before arrival.

From our reading of the July 24 2020 SEVP Clarifying Questions and March 2021 FAQs, your requirement to enroll in an in-person course depends on your current location and fall 2021 plans.

• If you are inside the U.S in ‘active’ status and are starting a new program of study, you can enroll in any delivery mode of instruction (any combination of  in-person, hybrid, online or all online). Transfer student must complete the International Student Services (ISS) Visa Clearance. After your documents have been checked, your F-1  record will be activated and an electronic I-20 showing completed transfer will be transmitted to you. 
• If you are outside the U.S. and plan to enter, you can enroll in any delivery mode of instruction (any combination of  in-person, hybrid, online or all online).Transfer student must complete the International Student Services (ISS) Visa Clearance upon arrival. After your documents have been checked, your F-1  record will be activated  and an electronic I-20 showing completed transfer will be transmitted to you. 
• If you are outside of the U.S. and do NOT plan to enter the US for fall 2021, you may enroll entirely online but your ‘initial’ SEVIS record cannot be changed. You will need to request for a new ‘initial’ SEVIS record for the semester that you plan to return to the U.S. to attend in-person classes. You cannot enter the U.S mid-semester. 

• • Undergraduate student please contact the ISS office: issmanoa@hawaii.edu 
  • Graduate student please contact your Academic Department  to inquire if online only enrollment is an option for fall, and then email ISS: issmanoa@hawaii.edu to request for a deferred I-20 form.