Spring 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.

Upcoming Pre-Arrival Webinars

Pre-Arrival Webinar: Graduate Student Housing Wednesday, March 31 at 8:30 AM PST Join the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and Housing, Dining & Hospitality (HDH) as we discuss what housing options are available to you as a graduate student at UC San Diego! This webinar is hosted in partnership with the Graduate Division to make sure you have all your bases covered as you begin your journey.  Register Now

Register for Upcoming Pre-Arrival Webinars: In partnership with the Graduate Division, ISPO will host a series of informative webinars this spring and summer, register now!: Applying for your U.S. Visa – April 7, 2021   Immunization & Insurance Requirements; Student Health – April 14, 2021   Teaching Assistantship & English Proficiency Requirement - April 28, 2021  Campus Safety – May 11, 2021  Click on the webinars above to register. All webinars will be recorded and posted at iWebinars.ucsd.edu.

Upcoming Pre-Arrival Webinars

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.

Contact an ISPO Advisor! 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.   For more information, visit iContact.ucsd.edu:   Mondays: 9 – 10:30 AM PST   Tuesdays: 4:30 – 5:30 PM PST  Wednesdays: 9 – 10:30 AM PST , 4:30 – 5:30 PM PST  Thursdays: 9 – 10:30 AM PST , 4:30 – 5:30 PM PST  Friday – Sunday: NO Advising. Visit iContact.ucsd.edu for other ways to contact ISPO.

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.  Submit your I-20 or DS-2019 through the iPortal. 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.  Processing time for complete iPortal applications is 15 business days. Apply early to avoid visa delays.

I-20/DS-2019 Details 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: 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.  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.

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.*

Access iTriton Online Training now!

*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.

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

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.