Winter 2021 | International Students & Programs Office @ UC San Diego

Dear Incoming Triton, Welcome to UC San Diego! The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) is here to support you as you begin your journey as a new student at UC San Diego and to help you navigate the ins and outs of your program as an international student. Please review important information below about mandatory trainings, orientation and ways to get involved at UC San Diego.

Next Steps and Important Information

Visit the iNewStudent Website! This comprehensive site is designed just for new international students to help you understand the different steps you need to follow before you arrive! Go to iNewStudent.ucsd.edu now and click on Graduate Students.

iPortal is now LIVE International students requiring an F-1 or J-1 visa to study inside of the U.S. must request a Form I-20 (certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant J-1 exchange visitors). The I-20 or DS-2019 is required to apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa from abroad. International students who are currently in the U.S. in 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. Students who plan to begin their program from abroad (remain outside of the U.S.) do not need to request a Form I-20 or DS-2019 at this time. Submit your request for a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from UC San Diego through the iPortal (iportal.ucsd.edu). To access iPortal, you must first Set up password for your UCSD Personal ID (PID). Please allow at least 48 hours after accepting your admission and creating your account and password to access the iPortal.  Submit the NEW ADMIT: I-20 or DS-2019 unless you have been admitted into an early Start Program (see section, Early Start Program Information, below). Processing time for complete iPortal applications is 15 business days. Apply early to avoid visa delays.

Funding Requirements for I-20/ DS-2019 Issuance F-1 students must show nine months of financial support to obtain an I-20. J-1 students must show financial support for the entire duration of their program to obtain a DS-2019    Refer to this link for required funding for your program.

I-20/ DS-2019 Standard Start Dates & Arrival to the U.S. All students admitted for the Fall 2021 quarter should expect to receive a Fall 2021 Program Start Date, on their Form I-20 or DS-2019 unless you have been admitted into an Early Start Program (see below). Students who plan to begin their program from abroad (remain outside of the U.S.) do not need to request a Form I-20 or

Early-Start Program Information Only students who have been admitted into a degree program which requires enrollment or participation in the Summer 2021 term will be eligible to apply for a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 with an earlier start date. Your department will communicate with you if you have been admitted into a program which requires an early start date. Students who are eligible can request an I-20 by submitting the NEW ADMIT: I-20 or DS-2019 Special Start Programs in iPortal. For more information regarding early start programs, visit iNewStudent.ucsd.edu.

Contacting ISPO Our friendly and knowledgeable ISPO Staff are here and ready to help you!    Email: iNewStudent@ucsd.edu   Contact Form: iContact.ucsd.edu  Zoom Virtual Advising: iContact.ucsd.edu

Upcoming Pre-Arrival Webinars Join us for a series of informative webinars this spring and summer! In partnership with the Graduate Division, ISPO will host the following webinars next week:   REGISTER FOR THESE PRE-ARRIVAL WEBINARS Welcome to UCSD: First Steps – March 10, 2021   Graduate Student Housing – March 31, 2021   Applying for your U.S. Visa – April 7, 2021  Immunization Requirements & Student Health – April 14, 2021  Click on the webinars above to register. All webinars will be recorded and posted at iwebinars.ucsd.edu.

WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? As a campus partner, your collaboration is important to us in supporting our international student community. The information sent in this Newsletter is available on ISPO's website, iStudents.ucsd.edu. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by emailing inewstudent@ucsd.edu.