Due to recent facilities issues and problematic conditions resulting from Hurricane Lala, all ISS-related events scheduled during Welcome Week (August 18-20) will be canceled. Alternative dates, locations and/or activities may be scheduled at a later date. We apologize for the inconvenience.
ISS Services
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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
F-1 Students Can Now Apply for OPT Online
On April 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students are now able to file OPT applications online. This covers...Continue reading→
DOS Expands Visa Interview Waiver Policy to 48 Months, Through December 31, 2021.
On March 11, 2021. The US Department of State (DOS) extended until December 31, 2021 the temporary expansion of statutory and regulatory provisions that...Continue reading→
CBP Extends Canada-Mexico Land Port of Entry Restrictions Through April 21, 2021.
On March 18, 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) extended through April 21, 2021 the COVID-19 restrictions that allow entry to the...Continue reading→
DOS EVP Updates COVID-19 FAQs.
On March 1, 2021, BridgeUSA (the Department of State Exchange Visitor Program) updated its COVID-19 FAQs (for J Program): https://j1visa.state.gov/covid-19/. This revision replaces the...Continue reading→
USCIS Provides Flexibility on OPT Applications
On February 26, USCIS recognized delays in OPT processing, including receipt notice issuance, due "COVID-19 restrictions, a dramatic increase in filings of certain benefit...Continue reading→
President Biden Extends Covid-19 Entry Bans
On January 25, President Biden extended Covid-related entry bans for travelers coming from the Schengen Area of Europe, Brazil, the Republic of Ireland, and...Continue reading→
President Biden Affirms Covid-19 Testing for International Arrivals
On January 21, President Biden affirmed through proclamation the January 12 CDC announcement to require all international arrivals to have a negative Covid-19 test....Continue reading→
President Biden Revokes Immigration Travel Bans
On January 20, President Biden issued a proclamation revoking all immigration-related restrictions ("travel bans") invoked by the previous administration. Calling them discriminatory, Biden's order...Continue reading→
CDC Expands Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement to All Air Passengers Entering the U.S.
On January 12, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that all air travelers coming to the U.S. must provide proof of...Continue reading→
CDC to Require Negative COVID-19 Test for Air Travelers from the UK to the US.?
Due to the new variant of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an Order effective December...Continue reading→
Important Communications
Email Updates Sent to ISS Students
Expansion of U.S. Travel and Visa Restrictions
A new federal proclamation has significantly...
F-1/J-1 Student Alert: Federal Shutdown Risks And Required Student Action
What Continues to Function:? The federal...
New U.S. Visa Policy on Interview Locations
Effective September 6, 2025, the U.S....
DHS Proposed Rule to Eliminate “Duration of Status¡± Could Significantly Change F-1 & J-1 Student Status
On August 28, 2025, the U.S....
Upcoming Events for New International Students
Aloha New International Students, We apologize...
ISS Welcome Week Events CANCELLED. August 18-20
Due to recent facilities issues and...
Pre-Arrival Information Series – Fall 2026
Hosted by the International Student Services...
USCIS Updates Form I-765, Removes SSN Option
On January 5, 2026, USCIS updated...
ISS Scholarship Applications Open
The ISS Office has opened the...
H-1B Information Session
Sponsored by International Student Services (ISS)...
U.S Govt Shutdown Impact on F-1/J-1 Student Status & Services
(Email sent 10/01/2025 at approximately 6:10pm...
New U.S. Visa Policy: Interview Location Requirements
(Email sent 9/11/2025 at approximately 6:00pm...
News
Recent Updates For International Students
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→
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→
New U.S. Visa Policy on Interview Locations
Effective September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State requires most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including F-1 and J-1 students, to schedule their visa interviews...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 of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (90 FR 42070) titled Establishing...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→
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→
New U.S. Visa Policy: Interview Location Requirements
(Email sent 9/11/2025 at approximately 6:00pm to ISS International Students) Dear International Students, This email contains critical information about a new U.S. visa policy...Continue reading→
Events
Hosted Events or Activities from ISS or Â鶹´«Ă½Manoa<
Expansion of U.S. Travel and Visa Restrictions
A new federal proclamation has significantly expanded...Continue reading→
F-1/J-1 Student Alert: Federal Shutdown Risks And Required Student Action
What Continues to Function:? The federal government...Continue reading→
New U.S. Visa Policy on Interview Locations
Effective September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department...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→
Upcoming Events for New International Students
Aloha New International Students, We apologize for...Continue reading→
ISS Welcome Week Events CANCELLED. August 18-20
Due to recent facilities issues and problematic...Continue reading→
Pre-Arrival Information Series – Fall 2026
Hosted by the International Student Services (ISS)...Continue reading→
USCIS Updates Form I-765, Removes SSN Option
On January 5, 2026, USCIS updated the...Continue reading→
ISS Scholarship Applications Open
The ISS Office has opened the following...Continue reading→
H-1B Information Session
Sponsored by International Student Services (ISS) The...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...Continue reading→
New U.S. Visa Policy: Interview Location Requirements
(Email sent 9/11/2025 at approximately 6:00pm to...Continue reading→
