Visiting Students Next Steps

Congratulations on your admission to Hawai‘i Pacific University’s Visiting Student Program! Follow the steps below to complete your enrollment and prepare for your semester at HPU.

STEP 1. Activate Your MyHPU Account

Please follow these instructions for setting up your MyHPU account.  HPU Username will be printed on your admit letter.
Once activated, be sure to check your MyHPU email regularly — this is where all official university updates will be sent.
HPU ID number should be included in all email communications to HPU staff. This will help our teams to ensure accuracy and provide faster support.

STEP 2. Apply for Your F-1 Student Visa

First step is to request your Form I-20 from HPU by submitting the required documents to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) by emailing i20@hpu.edu — within 9 months before the start of the semester.

• Statement of Financial Sponsorship (SFS) Form – refer to your Admit Letter for HPU's Scholarship amount.
• Proof of Funding — A bank statement or government funding letter verifying sufficient funds.
• Copy of Passport — Biographical page only.

Once the OISS team reviews and approves your financial documents, the Form I-20 along with detailed instructions on how to begin your F-1 visa application will be sent to you.

For detailed visa guidance, visit www.hpu.edu/oiss or contact i20@hpu.edu

🎥 Watch: Applying for Your F-1 Visa Webinar

STEP 3. Register for Courses

Select courses listed only on the pre-approved course list. The course registration form will be provided to admitted students once registration opens — March for the Fall semester and September for the Spring semester.

Please note that registration is first-come, first-served and depends on course availability. Current course lists may be accessed at www.hpu.edu/visiting

Enrollment requirements, in accordance with U.S. immigration regulations, are as follows:

• Undergraduate (bachelor's) visiting students must enroll in minimum 12 credits. Tuition covers 12–17 credits per semester. Undergraduate level courses = 1000 – 4999.
• Graduate (master’s) students must enroll in a minimum of 9 credits per semester. Tuition is per credit. Graduate level courses = 5000–6999.

Registering for courses from different HPU colleges is allowed, but undergraduate and graduate classes cannot be combined in the same term.

🎥 Watch: How to Choose and Register for Courses Webinar

STEP 4. Secure Housing

International visiting students have the option to live on-campus at the Executive Center. However, on-campus housing is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. For details on on-campus housing and meal rates, please visit www.hpu.edu/housing

Many international visiting students choose to live off-campus. The island of O'ahu offers a variety of living arrangements, from the bustling lifestyle of Waikiki to the tranquil beach town of Kailua.

Living off-campus provides students with more flexibility to find housing that suits their needs—whether it’s having a private room, a kitchen, proximity to the beach, or sharing with friends.

HPU’s Off-Campus Housing Coordinator, Tim Harnan, is available to guide and support students throughout the housing search process.

🎥 Watch: Housing & Living in Hawai‘i Webinar

STEP 5. Complete Health Requirements

Print Form D and Form E (linked) and take them to your GP/medical provider in your home country.

Ask your GP/medical provider to review, complete the necessary sections, and sign the forms.

• The TB portion of Form D is NOT required for students enrolled for 1 semester.
• The MCV portion of Form E applies ONLY to students living on-campus.
• Leave the “U.S. State & License Number” blank for students living outside the US.
• Completed forms must be submitted via Med+Proctor. See instructions here.

Also, Health insurance is mandatory for all international students at HPU. Students must demonstrate coverage by submitting a completed International Student Health Insurance Waiver.

Waivers must be submitted to the Office of International Students and Scholars at iss@hpu.edu by the stated deadlines to avoid the medical insurance verification fee.

For more information about health insurance requirements and to access the waiver form, click here.

🎥 Watch: Health Requirements Webinar

STEP 6. Pay Tuition

Tuition is due before the start of each semester. Official dates are listed in HPU’s Academic Calendar www.hpu.edu/academiccalendar

Scholarships will only be reflected on your account, if you are registered full-time in at least 12 credits (undergraduate) or 9 credits (graduate).

Tuition, fees, housing, and meal plan charges can be viewed in the myHPU portal under “Business & Payments”. You will receive a notification to your MyHPU email when your eBill Statement is available to view online.

HPU does not accept direct wire transfers. Many international credit/debit cards are accepted through the portal, but processing fees may apply. To minimize fees, HPU recommends using Flywire. For more info, click here.

🎥 Watch: How to Pay Tuition Webinar

STEP 7. Upload Your HPU UniCard Photo

The HPU UniCard is the official student photo ID. Submit your ID photo for approval through the myHPU portal.

Log in at my.hpu.edu and navigate to Other Student Services → ID Photo Upload. A confirmation email will be sent once approved.

HPU UniCards can be picked up at the Student Services Center, Waterfront Plaza, Suite 5A. Please bring a government-issued photo ID when collecting your card.

Join the HPU International Student Facebook group to connect with former, current, and incoming international students.

Additionally, a panel with current international visiting students sharing their experiences and tips is also available through the video linked below.

🎥 Watch last year's recording: International Visiting Student Panel Discussion

STEP 9. 'Ohana Check-In Webinars & Orientation

Each semester, a series of online webinars called the 'Ohana Check-In are provided for new students and their families. The purpose of these sessions are to assist with the on-boarding process and presents information on the visa application process, course registration, housing and more; it is also an opportunity to ask questions live to HPU staff.

Orientation is mandatory for all students and typically takes place on Friday and/or Saturday before the first week of classes. For more information, click here.