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. 
Travel Updates & Information
ISPO Visa and Travel Support Letter for Visa Processing
 
ISPO recognizes that newly admitted students are encountering administrative delays with U.S. embassies and consulates regarding visa appointments. We understand that many of you are concerned that you might not obtain your visas in time to enter the U.S. prior to the first day of Fall Quarter. ISPO has drafted a Visa and Travel Support Letter that you can submit to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that could help expedite the process. You can download the letter here and submit it to the U.S. embassy or consulate for consideration. 
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Exceptions: Does This Apply to Me?
 
On June 24th, the State Department updated its travel restrictions and National Interest Exception (NIE) policy page to clarify NIE eligibilities for individuals traveling from countries subject to a geographic COVID-19 entry ban. These countries include Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the Schengen Area of Europe.  
 
The notice clarifies that:  
 
  • New or returning F-1 and J-1 students present in China, Brazil, Iran, South Africa or India are automatically considered for the National Interest Exception (NIE) at the Port of Entry into the U.S. and do not require advance approval of a NIE from an embassy or consulate prior to travel;  
  • New or returning F-1 and J-1 students present in China, Brazil, Iran, South Africa or India may arrive no earlier than 30 days before the start of an academic program beginning August 1, 2021 or after, including optional practical training (OPT); and 
  • New or returning F-1 and J-1 students who were present only in the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, or Ireland are not subject to the August 1 condition; however, they could still be subject to a "no earlier than 30 days before the start of their academic studies" condition (for example, if you plan to begin or resume your studies for the Fall 2021 quarter at UC San Diego, which begins on 9/20/21, you may only enter the U.S. as early as 8/21/21).   
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: 
  • Contact name: Name of the advisor listed on your I-20/DS-2019 document 
  • Contact phone: 858-534-3730 
  • Contact email: istudents@ucsd.edu 

For more information, click here.  
Mandatory Trainings
iTriton on Canvas

The iTriton Orientation on Canvas has been created by the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) to guide you on your academic journey as an international student here at UC San Diego. 
The information is organized in modules that cover valuable information regarding immigration documents and maintaining your status, getting involved, working in the U.S., and more. Pay close attention as these caution modules demonstrate some of the top issues international students face with their immigration status. 

This training is REQUIRED, the new Fall 2021 students have to complete it by October 20, 2021. To access iTriton, please make sure to check your ucsd.edu email for an invitation to join the course. You will also need to activate your Canvas account by logging in using Single Sign-On. For any questions about the course, please reach out to iprograms@ucsd.edu
Pre-Arrival Webinar Recordings
Missed some of our Pre-Arrival Webinars? Don't worry! We recorded them all so you could go back and reference these great resources. We have listed a few key ones below but for all of the recordings, head to iwebinars.ucsd.edu.

Important Information for I-20/ DS-2019 Issuance
In-Person or Hybrid Instruction Requirements for Students with an INITIAL I-20 or DS-2019
Are you a newly-admitted OR continuing student with a start date of August 1, 2021 or later listed on your I-20 or DS-2019? If so, this means you have an INITIAL I-20 or DS-2019, and you may only enter the U.S. if you are: 
  • Enrolled in a required early-start summer program; or 
  • Are able to enroll in at least one hybrid or in-person course for Summer Session II or the Fall 2021 quarter.  
 
To activate your SEVIS record, you will be required to submit theISPO Check-In Form for I-20/DS-2019 Activation to verify presence in the U.S. After completing the Check-In form, you will maintain an active Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record as long as you enroll in a full course load and otherwise maintain your immigration status.
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. 


  • 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.
Are you Transferring from Another U.S. University to UC San Diego?

If you are currently in F-1 status at a U.S. university 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: 

Want to learn more about your options? For more information watch our SEVIS Transfers pre-recorded webinar on iwebinars.ucsd.edu.
New Student Resources
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.   
Missed an iNewStudent Newsletter? Visit iNews.ucsd.edu!

ISPO has archived our iNewStudents newsletters on our new page inews.ucsd.edu. Reference this page for all iNewStudents that were sent out this Spring!
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 Zoom advising hours.

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.  
Phone SIM Cards

There are many options available to you in regards to selecting a mobile phone service in the United States. One such option is Campus SIMS. Campus SIMs is offering free SIM cards to students to help connect you with mobile phone service in the U.S. Plans start at $15/month and you can get your U.S phone number before you leave your home country. Click here to get your free SIM card mailed to you, so can use your phone as soon as you arrive in the U.S. For more information, visit campussims.com
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.