International Center

Welcome New International Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of California, San Diego!  The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) would like to extend a warm welcome to you for the upcoming term.

Please refer to the following pre-arrival checklist as you prepare for your arrival in San Diego.

Getting Started Webinars

Getting Started Webinar: I'm an International Graduate Student: What's Next?

Wednesday, March 27, 2013
8:00a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

This pre-recorded webinar was presented by the UC San Diego International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) and covers the following topics for newly admitted international graduate students: completing the admissions process, visa application process, housing information, and getting connected.

Getting Started Webinar: I'm an International Freshman Student: What's Next?

Tuesday, April 9, 2013
8:00a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

This pre-recorded webinar was presented by the UC San Diego International Students & Programs Office (ISPO), Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools, and Housing and Dining Services. This webinar covers the following topics for newly admitted international freshmen students: completing the admissions process, visa application process, housing information, and getting connected.

Getting Started Webinar: What International Parents Need to Know About UC San Diego

Wednesday, April 24, 2013
8:00a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

This webinar will be presented by the UC San Diego International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and Office of Parents & Family Programs and covers the following topics for parents of newly admitted international students: completing the admissions process, visa application process, housing information, and getting connected.

Getting Started Webinar: I'm an International Transfer Student: What's Next?

To Be Determined
8:00a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

This webinar will be presented by the UC San Diego International Students & Programs Office (ISPO), Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools, and Housing and Dining Services. This webinar covers the following topics for newly admitted international transfer students: completing the admissions process, visa application process, housing information, and getting connected.

  • Registration link coming soon

Meet all admissions requirements

If you are a degree-seeking student, make sure you meet all UC San Diego admissions requirements in a timely manner.

Undergraduate students

Complete the online admission checklist (MyApplication). This includes submitting your:

  • Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)
  • Statement of Legal Residence (SLR)
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended

Graduate students

Refer to the Online Application via Grad Apply.  This includes submitting your:

  • Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)
  • Statement of Legal Residence (SLR)
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended

EAP Reciprocity Students / Short-term Exchange

Note: Above requirements for degree-seeking students do not apply to EAP reciprocity students.

Refer to the application status and notification information at the Education Abroad Program (EAP) website.

Make housing arrangements before your arrival

Receive your I-20 or DS-2019

International students requiring an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the USA must request and receive a Form I-20 (Non-Immigrant F-1 Student) or DS-2019 (Non-Immigrant J-1 Exchange Visitor).  The I-20 or DS-2019 is required to apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa. 

Transfer Students: International students who are currently in valid F-1 or J-1 status and plan to transfer their SEVIS record to UC San Diego are also required to submit the I-20 or DS-2019 request.  Refer to the International Transfer Student page for more information on the SEVIS transfer process.

How to request the I-20 or DS-2019: 

  • Submit the I-20 or DS-2019 request through the iPortal.  The iPortal application will help you determine what is the appropriate status and visa for you. 

"The iPortal will be available on March 18, 2013 at 1:00pm PDT. We will begin processing new requests on April 8. In the meantime, students can begin to prepare their application materials by making digital copies (PDF images) of their biographical passport page and financial statement."

Note: You will need to sign on using your UC San Diego Personal ID (PID) and password to access the iPortal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) and email inquiries: 

Pay the $200 or $180 SEVIS fee

You must pay the $200 (F-1 Students) or $180 (J-1 Exchange Visitors) SEVIS fee.

Transfer students and non F-1/J-1 students are not required to pay an additional SEVIS fee.

  • Pay via Internet, via Western Union, or by mail.
  • Keep the Form I-797 receipt in a safe place.
  • Review SEVIS Fee Information for details.

Schedule a visa interview appointment

Step 1:  Schedule a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Step 2:  Gather documents for your visa interview

Step 3:  Review the 10 points to remember when applying for a nonimmigrant visa

Complete the Tuberculosis Screening

The California Department of Public Health recommends that all incoming college students be assessed for their risk of developing Tuberculosis (TB). All incoming students are now required to complete the TB Screening prior to the start of their first quarter.

  • Undergraduates must complete the TB Screening Questionnaire on MyApplication.
  • Graduate students must complete the TB Screening Questionnaire at their Application Status Page.
  • Rady students must complete the TB Screening Questionnaire at: (check back for link)

If your TB Screening Questionnaire shows you are positive for TB risk, you will need to have testing done and submit the TB Assessment form by the July 31, 2013 deadline. If you need another copy of the TB Assessment form to give to your health care provider, click here.

If you are a non-degree student (this applies to Extension and GLI fellows), your forms were sent by your department, as you will not have access to online screening. Please refer to your department if you need additional copies.

For more information about TB and TB testing, visit:

Read Student Health Service's TB FAQs (PDF) to review the most commonly asked questions.

If you have questions regarding the TB screening or health insurance: go to http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/ and see "Online Services" - Ask a Question.

Sign up for the mandatory International Student Orientation

All new international students (including transfer students from other U.S. schools) must attend a mandatory international student orientation session.

Failure to attend an international student orientation session may prevent you from registering for classes at UC San Diego.

An invitation to register for the international student orientation will be sent out via email during the summer.

Prepare for your arrival flight

Arrival in the USA: Learn how to get to UC San Diego after your arrival at Los Angeles or San Diego airport.

Transportation Upon Arriving in the USA: U.S. Airline and Airport Guidelines (U.S. Transportation Security Administration)

TRAVEL ADVISORY: We recommend students schedule 2-3 hours between connecting flights, or when crossing a land border, for SEVIS status verification processing at U.S. Ports of Entry.

Gather your documents for entry into the U.S.

Review your passport and visa page. Your first name and family/last name should be the same on both documents. If there are any errors, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consular Post immediately.

Place your original passport, financial statement or support letter, and Form I-20 / DS-2019 in your purse or carry-on baggage. Present all these documents when entering the USA.

Note: F-1 and J-1 students can enter the USA no earlier than 30 days prior to program start date listed on the I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students).

Arriving to the U.S.A. and Clearing Customs

FORM I-94 AUTOMATION: US CUSTOMS TO ROLLOUT NEW ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE- RECORD PROCESS

On April 30, 2013, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, a component of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), began automating the Form I-94 process at air and sea ports by eliminating the paper Form I-94.  Once fully implemented, the majority of nonimmigrants will only receive an entry (or admission) stamp in their passport, which will include their date of entry, class of admission, port of entry, and their status expiration date (or “D/S” for F, M and Js).  Paper I-94 cards will still be issued in certain circumstances, the most common being for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders.

Los Angeles and San Diego Ports of Entry will be phased into this program Tuesday, May 14th, so if you will be traveling internationally and returning through these ports of entry, you should not expect to receive a physical I-94 card upon reentry.  All air and sea ports of entry will be phased in by May 21st.  

To clear U.S. Customs Port of Entry you must present: original passport, financial statement or support letter, and Form I-20 / DS-2019

AFTER CLEARING U.S. CUSTOMS PLEASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO PRINT ELECTRONIC I-94:

  • Access the CBP website at http://www.cbp.gov/I94
  • Follow the instructions (simply type in the asked-for data) to call up your Form I-94. 
  • Check that your information in the system is correct
  • Print out a copy of your electronic Form I-94 and keep it safe for future use

These I-94 printouts may needed for the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, or for 3rd parties, such as the Social Security Administration or Department of Motor Vehicles, which require a Form I-94 for granting benefits.

 If you are admitted with an electronic Form I-94 and upon checking the database returns “Record Not Found” and there is no obvious data entry mistake, then CBP recommends you visit their closest Office of Deferred Inspection to inquire about the problem.

 For additional information from CBP, please see the following:

CBP Rollout: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/i94_rollout.xml

CBP Fact Sheet: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/travel/i94_factsheet.ctt/i94_factsheet.pdf

TRAVEL ADVISORY- SMART TRAVELING TIP! PLAN FOR POSSIBLE TRAVEL DELAYS

We recommend students schedule 2-3 hours between connecting flights, or when crossing a land border, for SEVIS status verification processing at U.S. Ports of Entry. 

Check in at the International Center

All new international students (including transfer students from other U.S. schools) must check in at the International Center within 15 days of your program start.

Failure to check in may result in the termination of your SEVIS record and loss of your F-1 or J-1 status.

Review the check-in process.

Explore UCSD Student Organizations

The Center for Student Involvement encourages and facilitates student involvement in student organizations, campuswide events, leadership and service opportunities.

The Center is committed to providing developmental opportunities for all UCSD students and challenges them to become empowered, motivated and experienced leaders and citizens through a comprehensive co-curricular experience.

Explore the Center for Student Involvement Website to learn more about student organizations and see how you can get involved.

Finished with everything above? Now find a list of everything you need to know about getting started at UC San Diego. Find detailed information on email set-up, course registration, campus ID cards, housing, cell phones, health insurance, and more.

Contact Us

International Students & Programs Office (ISPO)
Phone: (858) 534-3730
Email: Visit our Contact Us page

Monday through Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hours

Monday through Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Advising Hours for International Students

Appointments are offered at half-hour increments:
Monday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 3:00–4 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – noon; 1–4 p.m.

Walk-In Advising (no appointment needed):
Wednesday:
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday:
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call (858) 534-3730

Café Conversations (Weeks 1–10):
Fridays: Noon – 1 p.m. at the Friday International Café