ISS Services
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Remote Advisor Appointment
Use STAR Balance to schedule an appointment with an ISS advisor via phone or ZOOM.
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Travel Signature
Request a Travel Signature and see requirements for travel outside the U.S. while still in your program
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ISS Request
Apply for immigration benefits by submitting an ISS Request.
Announcement
Important updates that may require action or continued attention for further information
Fall 2026 OPT Workshops and Q&A Sessions
The following OPT workshops and Q&A sessions are intended mainly for F-1 students who will be finishing their programs soon and wanting to get...Continue reading→
Upcoming Events for New International Students
Aloha New International Students, We apologize for the cancellation of our Welcome Week events, but we are already hard at work rescheduling some of...Continue reading→
ISS Welcome Week Events CANCELLED. August 18-20
Due to recent facilities issues and problematic conditions resulting from Hurricane Lala, all ISS-related events scheduled during Welcome Week will be canceled. Alternative dates,...Continue reading→
Pre-Arrival Information Series – Fall 2026
Hosted by the International Student Services (ISS) Office Aloha e New International Students! SIGN UP HERE by Sunday, July 19, 2026 to attend our...Continue reading→
USCIS Updates Form I-765, Removes SSN Option
On January 5, 2026, USCIS updated the form I-765. This edition, which includes the downloadable PDF and online form, removes the option to apply...Continue reading→
Expansion of U.S. Travel and Visa Restrictions
A new federal proclamation has significantly expanded travel restrictions to 39 countries and individuals using Palestinian Authority travel documents. These measures impact visa issuance...Continue reading→
ISS Scholarship Applications Open
The ISS Office has opened the following scholarship applications. Click on each link to open the scholarship applications. Spring Forward Scholarship (for spring 2026...Continue reading→
H-1B Information Session
Sponsored by International Student Services (ISS) The H-1B specialty occupation work visa provides an option to many graduating students who may be thinking about...Continue reading→
U.S Govt Shutdown Impact on F-1/J-1 Student Status & Services
(Email sent 10/01/2025 at approximately 6:10pm HST to ISS International Students) Aloha F-1/J-1 Students, We are writing to inform you that the partial U.S....Continue reading→
F-1/J-1 Student Alert: Federal Shutdown Risks And Required Student Action
What Continues to Function: The federal government shutdown that began today, October 1, 2025, should not immediately stop your key immigration processes. Most critical...Continue reading→
Important Communications
Email Updates Sent to ISS Students
New U.S. Visa Policy: Interview Location Requirements
(Email sent 9/11/2025 at approximately 6:00pm...
New U.S. Visa Policy on Interview Locations
Effective September 6, 2025, the U.S....
OPT Workshop – Fall 2025
Event dates: September 16, 2025 from...
DHS Terminates the 2021 Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status
On Sep. 5, 2025, Secretary of...
DHS Proposed Rule to Eliminate “Duration of Status” Could Significantly Change F-1 & J-1 Student Status
On August 28, 2025, the U.S....
Visa Updates: Changes to Visa Reciprocity & In-Person Visa Interview Requirements
(Email sent 8/20/2025 at approximately 12:00pm...
Visa Updates – Reciprocity and Interviews
The U.S. Department of State has...
ISS Welcome Week – Fall 2025
Event Dates: August 18 (Tues) to...
ISS Pre-Arrival Information Series
Events During: July 23 (Wed) to...
ISS Launches New Request Portal
The ISS Office will be launching...
News
Recent Updates For International Students
H-1B Visa Information Session
H-1B Visa Information Presented by Immigration Attorney - KahBo Dye-Chiew (https://www.immigration-hawaii.com/) Interested in an employer sponsored visa after graduation? Join us in-person as...Continue reading→
DHS Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Venezuela
(Updated: 10/3/2023 for the release of the Federal Register notice.) On September 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced the upcoming extension and...Continue reading→
DHS Extends Special Student Relief Employment Benefits to Afghan Students
On September 21, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security posted a Federal Register announcing the suspension of certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students...Continue reading→
DHS Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Afghanistan
On September 21, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of TPS for Afghanistan from November 21, 2023 to May...Continue reading→
DHS Extends TPS Re-registration Periods for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan to 18 Months
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced re-registration periods for beneficiaries of TPS status for several countries. For more information please see the...Continue reading→
DHS Extends Special Student Relief Employment Benefits to South Sudanese Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship
On Sept. 5, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted Federal Register notices announcing the suspension of certain regulatory requirements for F-1...Continue reading→
DHS Extension of Special Student Relief (SSR) for Sudan and Ukraine
On Aug. 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted Federal Register notices announcing the suspension of certain regulatory requirements for F-1...Continue reading→
DHS Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Sudan and Ukraine
On Aug. 18, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security in two separate statements announced the extension and redesignation of TPS for Sudan through April...Continue reading→
DHS Announces Updated STEM Designated Degree Program List
On July 12, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register notice announcing the addition of eight Classification of Instructional Programs...Continue reading→
USCIS Expands Premium Processing For Applicants Seeking to Change into F, M Or J Nonimmigrant Status
On June 12, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing for applicants filing Form I-539, Application to...Continue reading→
Events
Hosted Events or Activities from ISS or UH Manoa<
New U.S. Visa Policy: Interview Location Requirements
(Email sent 9/11/2025 at approximately 6:00pm to...Continue reading→
New U.S. Visa Policy on Interview Locations
Effective September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department...Continue reading→
OPT Workshop – Fall 2025
Event dates: September 16, 2025 from 9am...Continue reading→
DHS Terminates the 2021 Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status
On Sep. 5, 2025, Secretary of Homeland...Continue reading→
DHS Proposed Rule to Eliminate “Duration of Status” Could Significantly Change F-1 & J-1 Student Status
On August 28, 2025, the U.S. Department...Continue reading→
Visa Updates: Changes to Visa Reciprocity & In-Person Visa Interview Requirements
(Email sent 8/20/2025 at approximately 12:00pm to...Continue reading→
Visa Updates – Reciprocity and Interviews
The U.S. Department of State has recently...Continue reading→
ISS Welcome Week – Fall 2025
Event Dates: August 18 (Tues) to August...Continue reading→
ISS Pre-Arrival Information Series
Events During: July 23 (Wed) to August...Continue reading→
ISS Launches New Request Portal
The ISS Office will be launching its...Continue reading→
