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 fall 2012 term.

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

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.

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.

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:

Undergraduate Freshmen FAQ's: (students who have completed high school and have not yet started university)
Freshmen Email inquiries: ifreshmen@ucsd.edu
Transfer Student FAQ's: (graduate or undergraduate students transferring to UC San Diego from a US college or university)
Transfer email inquiries: itransfers@ucsd.edu
Graduate Student FAQ's: (students admitted to a graduate program at UC San Diego)
Graduate email inquiries: igraduate@ucsd.edu
Short-term Exchange Program FAQ's: (Non-degree students participating in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP))
EAP Reciprocity email inquiries: eapreciprocity@ucsd.edu

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

Make housing arrangements before your arrival

Off-Campus Housing Information

On-Campus Housing Information

See more housing resources at UC San Diego.

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. The deadline for students entering in Fall 2012 is August 3.

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 August, 2012 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.

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 your 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).

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.

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 in June.

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.

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

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.

International Students & Programs Office (ISPO)
Phone: (858) 534-3730
Email: istudents@ucsd.edu

Monday through Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.