Spring 2021 | International Students & Programs Office @ UC San Diego |
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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.
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U.S. Department of State Responds to UC President's Advocacy Letter for International Students
On April 7, 2021, UC President Michael Drake, on behalf of the 10 UC campuses, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas urging the Departments of State and Homeland Security to allow for greater flexibility so international students can arrive in the United States as soon as possible.
On May 5, the Department of State responded to the UC's advocacy letter acknowledging international students' valuable impact on U.S. campuses and communities across the nation. They specifically recognized their positive contributions to cultural exchange and understanding, as well as their impact on furthering research, knowledge and supporting U.S. diplomacy for many years. Additionally, they affirmed that international students are a priority for the Department of State.
To that end, the Department of State highlighted its latest positive efforts to allow a greater number of international students to enter the U.S. for Fall 2021 as follows:
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Travel by bona fide students (F, J, and M visa holders) who were present in India, China, Iran, South Africa or Brazil - and who plan to engage in a full-time program of study that commences on or after August 1, 2021 - are no longer subject to the travel suspensions detailed in Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, 10143, and the proclamation of April 30.
- Embassies and consulates worldwide have begun to schedule visa appointments accordingly
- Expanded flexibility will remain for those renewing visas in the same classification, meaning that those renewing may be eligible for visa interview waivers
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More information can be found at the travel.state.gov website
ISPO will continue to keep you apprised of our advocacy efforts for our international student population here.
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Upcoming Pre-Arrival Webinars |
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Pre-Arrival Webinar:
Undergraduate Student Life & Getting Involved
Tuesday, May 18 at 8:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Join ISPO, International Peer Coaching Program, College Outreach Coordinators for International & Out of State Students and the International House as we discuss student life at UC San Diego as an international undergraduate student.
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Register for Upcoming Pre-Arrival Webinars:
The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) has put together a series of Pre-Arrival Webinars to assist you as you begin your journey at UC San Diego. Sign up for the webinars below!
Click on the webinars above to register. All webinars will be recorded and posted at iWebinars.ucsd.edu.
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Global Ambassador Program |
The Global Ambassadors Program (GAP) is a peer mentoring program designed to assist incoming undergraduate international and out-of-state students in acclimating to a new environment and making a smooth transition into university life. GAP Mentors provide friendly support over the summer in order to engage our undergraduate non-resident students and help them create solid relationships within the UC San Diego campus. Sign up to get matched with a GAP Mentor today!
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International Peer Coaching Program |
The International Peer Coaching Pilot Program at UC San Diego assists international students transition into their first year at UC San Diego through establishing meaningful connections and developing personal and professional relationships with a fellow UC San Diego international student. The program is open to all incoming first year international students! Learn more at ipeercoaching.ucsd.edu
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Our International Peer Coaches are hosting virtual hang-out sessions called "Regional Meet-Ups" where you get the chance to meet current and incoming international and domestic students from that region! Whether you're in the region, from the region, or just want to meet people in/from the region – everyone is welcome to the meet-up! The meet-ups are hosted by our International Peer Coaches (current international students!)
Head to iEvents.ucsd.edu to learn more about more Regional Meet-Up dates and times!
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Student organizations are a great way to connect with other students with similar interests and build your community at UC San Diego. We encourage you to check out studentorg.ucsd.edu to learn more about all the different student organizations at UC San Diego.
Below we have listed some of our most active student organizations in our international student community at UC San Diego. Check them out!
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Important Information for I-20/ DS-2019 Issuance |
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iPortal is now LIVE!
International students requiring an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in 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.
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Processing time for complete iPortal applications is 15 business days. Apply early to avoid visa delays.
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I-20/DS-2019 Details
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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.
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Refer to this link for required funding for your program.
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I-20/DS-2019 standard start dates: All students admitted for the Fall 2021 quarter should expect to receive a Fall 2021 Program Start Date (September 20, 2021) on their Form I-20 or DS-2019.
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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.
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Are you Transferring from a U.S. High School or College to UC San Diego?
If you are currently in F-1 status at a U.S. high school or college and plan to transfer to UC San Diego this fall, you still need to request an I-20 from ISPO! This is required in order to maintain your F-1 status, and you cannot begin classes here without it.
Transfer students have two options when requesting an I-20:
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Applying for Your U.S. Visa |
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Scheduling Your Visa Interview
If you are able to schedule a visa interview, after receiving your I-20/DS-2019 document you will need to complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form. You will need your SEVIS ID (number starting with “N” located at the top of your I-20/DS-2019) to complete this. In addition, J-1 students will need to provide UCSD’s J-1 Program Number. This number is: P-1-02849.
When asked for UC San Diego’s contact information for the DS-160, you may put down the following:
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Contact name: Name of the advisor listed on your I-20/DS-2019 document
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Contact phone: 858-534-3730
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Contact email: istudents@ucsd.edu
For more information, click here.
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Cancelled or Delayed U.S. Visa Appointments
ISPO is aware of the delays and/or sudden cancellations of nonimmigrant visa appointments in particular regions of the world due to the public health situation caused by rising COVID-19 rates. We know how much this impacts your ability to plan for Fall 2021 and can understand the concern it must cause.
With this in mind, ISPO will continue to issue Forms I-20 (F-1) and DS-2019 (J-1) as quickly as possible to allow you to book or re-book an appointment as soon as you are able to. Our team is hard at work to ensure that these are issued promptly. In order to maintain our prompt I-20 and DS-2019 issuance pace, at this time, we are only able to facilitate expedite requests if you have a visa appointment booked for less than one month away from your iPortal date of submission.
For any questions about your visa paperwork, please contact the ISPO Pre-Arrival Team at inewstudent@ucsd.edu.
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You can already start getting involved at UC San Diego as an international undergraduate student. Check out the following opportunities: |
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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 Undergraduate Students.
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Missed a iNewStudent Newsletter? Visit iNews.ucsd.edu!
ISPO has archived all iNewStudent newsletters on the page inews.ucsd.edu. Reference this page for previous news, information and updates that were sent out this Spring!
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iTriton Online Training
To help guide you through the adventure ahead, we have created an online training that will map out your journey as an international student here at UC San Diego. There are 20 modules which cover various topics. We have arranged these modules in the order you may encounter them during your program. However, you can explore the modules in any order you'd like!
Newly admitted international students are required to complete the iTriton Online Training during their first quarter at UC San Diego. All new Fall 2021 students will have until October 20, 2021, to complete this REQUIRED training.*
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*Please note that the iTriton training, immigration regulations are only applicable once you enter the United States in F1/J1 status. If you are participating in fully remote learning and DO NOT enter the United States, these regulations will NOT apply to you.
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New Student Zoom Advising Hours
Questions about requesting your immigration documents from UC San Diego? Newly-admitted international students are able to speak to an ISPO Advisor during our designated zoom advising hours for newly-admitted students for Fall 2021.
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Mondays: 9 – 10:30 AM PDT
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Tuesdays: 4:30 – 5:30 PM PDT
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Wednesdays: 9 – 10:30 AM PDT and 4:30 – 5:30 PM PDT
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Thursdays: 9 – 10:30 AM PDT and 4:30 – 5:30 PM PDT
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Friday – Sunday: NO Advising. Visit iContact.ucsd.edu for other ways to contact ISPO.
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Contacting ISPO
Our friendly and knowledgeable ISPO Staff are here and ready to help you!
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Follow Us on Social Media! |
Congratulations New Triton! We have put together an Instagram Filter Pack to celebrate our new class of international Tritons. Try it out, tag us (@ispo.ucsd), and let everyone know you are our newest iTriton!
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WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER?
You have been identified as an F-1 or J-1 International Student. To ensure you receive important regulatory information to maintain your immigration status while studying at UC San Diego, you have been automatically added to this newsletter to receive updates. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by clicking 'Unsubscribe...." at the bottom of this email block. If you are NOT in F1 or J1 status and believe you have been subscribed in error, please email iStudents@ucsd.edu.
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