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. 
Let's Get Started!
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 Exchange Students.     
Pre-Arrival Webinars
The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) has put together a Pre-Arrival Webinar Series that cover various relevant topics as you prepare for your time at UC San Diego, such as how to request your visa immigration documents, student health insurance and immunization requirements, housing, and more. To watch Pre-Arrival Webinar records, click here.   
Pre-Arrival Webinar:
EAPR Students
Thursday, June 17 at 8:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Join the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) as we discuss your first steps as an International Triton!   
Information on COVID-19 and Vaccination-Related Matters
UC San Diego is fully committed to ensuring all Tritons can come to campus this Fall in the safest way possible. New policies and procedures are being created and updated as the situation in the U.S. and around the world changes. If you have questions about travel to the U.S. and quarantining, housing, in-person instruction, vaccination requirements and more, please check these two pages regularly prior to your arrival:
How to Request a DS-2019
International students requiring a non-immigrant J-1 visa to study in the USA must request and receive a Form DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitor) to begin their program of study at UC San Diego. The Form DS-2019 is required to apply for the J-1 visa.  
 
Submit your DS-2019 request through the iPortal. To access iPortal, you must first set up password for your UC San Diego Personal ID (PID). Follow the instructions on iNewStudent.ucsd.edu to retrieve your PID and create a password. 
 
Processing time for complete iPortal applications is 15 business days. Apply early to avoid visa delays.
DS-2019 Details

  • Funding Requirements for DS-2019 Issuance: 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. 

  • 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 DS-2019. 
Additional Resources
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.*  
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.  

For more information, visit iContact.ucsd.edu:
 
  • Mondays: 9 – 10:30 AM PDT  
  • Tuesdays: 4:30 – 5:30 PM PDT 
  • Wednesdays: 9 – 10:30 AM PDT and 4:30 – 5:30 PM PDT 
  • Thursdays: 9 – 10:30 AM PDT and 4:30 – 5:30 PM PDT 
  • Friday – Sunday: NO Advising. Visit iContact.ucsd.edu for other ways to contact ISPO.  
Contacting ISPO

Our friendly and knowledgeable ISPO Staff are here and ready to help you!  

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! 
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.