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International Students & Programs Office ISPO
  1. ISPO
  2. ADVISING
  3. F & J Visa Advising
  4. Current & Returning Students
  5. Traveling
  6. Document Self-Check

COMPLETING DOCUMENT SELF-CHECK

 

Within 15 days after arrival into the U.S., complete the International Student Document Self-Check. It is important for you to verify that your documents were processed correctly at the port of entry. There is no need to notify International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) when you complete your document self-check unless you believe there is an error in your documents. You should fulfill the document self-check requirement every time that you reenter the U.S.

While it is not required to bring documents to ISPO, failure to complete the document self-check may result in the loss of your F-1 or J-1 status, especially if your documents were processed incorrectly at the port of entry and you do not get them fixed. Please remember that maintaining your visa status is your responsibility but ISPO is here to help with any questions.

 

Review all information below to complete your document self-check:

I-20/DS-2019 Review

  • For a sample I-20, click here.
  • For a sample DS-2019, click here.
  • If you have not already done so, sign the bottom of the first page of your I-20 (F-1 Students) or DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitors).
  • F-1 students: Make a note of the end date of your I-20 (found on page 1 of I-20 under Program Start/End Date in Program Study section).
  • J-1 students: Make a note of the end date of your DS-2019 (found in Section 3).
  • Make a copy of all pages of your I-20/DS-2019 for your own personal records.

I-94 Review

  • For a sample I-94, click here.
  • Access your electronic I-94 record (accessible on the CBP I-94 website only after your arrival to the U.S.) and download and save and/or print out your I-94 to keep it for your records.
  • Make sure your "Class of Admission" is F-1 or J-1 and your "Admit Until Date" is D/S (This notation means that you can remain in the U.S. for the duration of your academic program as long as you maintain your visa status).
  • If you have trouble accessing your I-94, try these tips.

Visa Review

  • Canadian citizens are exempted from this review.
  • For a sample visa, click here.
  • Make sure the status is correct (F-1 or J-1).
  • Note the expiration date and the number of entries (M=Multiple; S=Single). You can remain in the U.S. with an expired visa but if you leave the U.S. after the expiration date (or if you only have a Single Entry visa), you will need to renew to re-enter. You can only renew outside of the U.S. at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
  • Make a copy for your own personal records.
  • You may remain in the US with an expired visa as long as you maintain status with a current, valid I-20. You will need a current visa and passport to seek entrance to the US after departing. You are also required to have a valid travel signature on your I-20 when returning to the US. 

Passport Review

  • Note your passport expiration date. Your passport should always be valid at least 6 months into the future. If the expiration date is approaching, begin the process to renew.
  • Make a copy of your Passport photo and Validity Date page(s) for your own personal records.
  • If a student renews the passport during studies at UC San Diego, the student does not need to update the I-20 with the renewed passport number, or report the new passport information to ISPO. However, if the current visa is in the expired passport, please be sure to carry both (renewed and expired) passports when traveling.

Update Your Address

Update your local and permanent address in TritonLink*.

*Note: Students at the Global Leadership Institute (GLI) do not have access to TritonLink and therefore must report their addresses by completing the Student Registration Form and submit with copies of the below documents to ISPO.