How to become Hawaii resident (real estate, home, school)

[tg81]

We are here, in Hawaii to study from foreign country. I would like to know how we could become Hawaii residents. What are the requirements?

[newUHprof]

You cannot become a Hawaii resident unless you are already a US citizen. From your post, it sounds like you are not.

If you are a citizen and want to establish residency for tuition purposes, it takes at least a year. You should check with your school. UH has information online here, for example:
University of Hawaii at Manoa Catalog
(scroll down to "residency for tuition purposes")

[PacificFlights]

For what purpose?

You are a Hawaii Resident when you legally change your place of residence to Hawaii, including all official documents. But that is only resident as in where you are living. Ifa foreign student attending school in Kansas, your a kansas resident for immigration purpose. When you move to Hawaii, you have to tell them your in Hawaii, so you become a resident of Hawaii for address purposes.

[Haumana]

I'd also think you would have to get a hawaii drivers license.

[newUHprof]

The OP mentioned being here "to study," so I assumed it was residency for tuition purposes. It has no real meaning other than that. You can get your license and register to vote and such if you get a bank account with a local address, basically.

[Spammasubi]

Originally Posted by newUHprof

The OP mentioned being here "to study," so I assumed it was residency for tuition purposes. It has no real meaning other than that. You can get your license and register to vote and such if you get a bank account with a local address, basically.

I don't believe this is entirely correct. The UH regents created a system that outlines the specific definition and protocal for defining who is eligable resident and qualifies for resident tuition. This includes federal and state tax status of the student and their parent. If the majority of your living and educational expenses are supported from outside Hawai'i (i.e., your parents declare you as a dependent), you are considered a non-resident. They can and will request copies of tax statements. I highly suggest students pursuing Hawai'i residency tuition status vigorously investigate this issue prior to attempting to apply for Hawai'i resident tuition.

[newUHprof]

Originally Posted by Spammasubi

I don't believe this is entirely correct. The UH regents created a system that outlines the specific definition and protocal for defining who is eligable resident and qualifies for resident tuition. This includes federal and state tax status of the student and their parent. If the majority of your living and educational expenses are supported from outside Hawai'i (i.e., your parents declare you as a dependent), you are considered a non-resident. They can and will request copies of tax statements. I highly suggest students pursuing Hawai'i residency tuition status vigorously investigate this issue prior to attempting to apply for Hawai'i resident tuition.

I don't see what you're disagreeing with. What I said is:

- The notion of "resident" is pretty meaningless except for student purposes. Your'e talking about student purposes.

- To get the *other* (i.e. non-student) "benefits" of being a resident requires almost nothing other than a prove-able local address.

- I provided a link above to the UH rules, which are pretty restrictive, yes.

[Spammasubi]

newUHprof WROTE:
"I don't see what you're disagreeing with. What I said is:....."

I am sorry. I was wrong in attempting to disagree with your post. I should have been more careful when reading the previous posts you were referencing. You are 100% correct and my post supported your initial post. Better I go back and sit under my rock for a while.

[OpenD]

Another aspect of residency that many are not aware of until they run into it: If you own real estate in Hawai'i and sell it, if you are not a resident the state will assess a 10% tax on any profit you made on the sale.

The way the IRS defines your residency is where you actually live at least half the year. People who are financially dependent on their parents are the only ones who can declare their parent's home as their residency without actually living there.

"Residency" for in-state tuition purposes is entirely different, and varies from state to state.