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International Students & Programs Office ISPO
  1. ISPO
  2. ADVISING
  3. F & J Visa Advising
  4. Current & Returning Students
  5. Visa Status & Documents
  6. Studying at UC San Diego
  7. Academic Major Change

CHANGING ACADEMIC MAJOR

 

If you change your major or add a second major through TritonLink, ISPO will automatically receive notification of this change and update your SEVIS record. However, ISPO will not automatically issue an updated I-20/DS-2019. If you need the updated I-20/DS-2019 for travel or other purposes, then you will need to request it from ISPO.

Review all steps below to understand how to request this updated I-20/DS-2019 and how it may affect your status.

 

OVERVIEW

Guidance on this page will only apply to:

  • Bachelor's, Master's and PhD F-1 and J-1 students

 

Guidance on this page will not apply to:

  • Any students changing degree levels
  • Any students adding minors
  • EAP Reciprocity students 
  • Third-Party-Sponsored Students (e.g. Fulbright, etc.)
  • Global Exchange students
  • Special Programs: HSI

 

TIMELINE OF STEPS TO TAKE 

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4
Review this page and eligibility. Review below how this process may impact your visa status. Submit a "Updated I-20/DS-2019 Request" in iPortal. Receive a updated I-20/DS-2019 showing your new major  5 business days later.

 

STEP 1: CONFIRM ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to request an updated I-20/DS-2019 showing your new major, you must meet all of the following requirements: 

  • Your new major or double major must be fully approved by all required offices at UC San Diego, and it must appear on your TritonLink. For more information, visit one of the links below:
  • You must be maintaining your current visa status - your SEVIS record must be in active status
  • Academic minors are not reported to your SEVIS record, so there is no need to request an updated I-20/DS-2019 if you add a minor.

STEP 2: CONSIDER IMPACTS TO YOUR VISA STATUS

Visa Status

Your SEVIS record will be updated automatically soon after your new major or double major is approved and appears in your TritonLink. So therefore, you do not need to report this change to our office yourself to maintain your F or J visa status.

 

Travel

If you are planning to travel internationally after you have changed your major or added a double major, then you will need to use an updated I-20/DS-2019 to re-enter the US along with a valid F-1/J-1 visa. 

For more information regarding travel, please visit our travel page: itravel.ucsd.edu .

STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST FOR AN UPDATED I-20/DS-2019

  • Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
  • Go to "Services" tab.
  • Select "Updated I-20/DS-2019 Request".
  • Choose the "Academic Major Change" update option.
  • Fill out your request.
  • Choose your "Document Delivery Preference".
  • "Submit" your request.

STEP 4: RECEIVE YOUR UPDATED I-20/DS-2019

  • Your updated I-20/DS-2019 reflecting your new major or double major will be issued within 5 business days.
  • You can check the status of your request anytime by logging in to iPortal and clicking on "My Requests" tab.
  • A notification email will be sent to you when your document is ready.
  • Sign your updated I-20/DS-2019 when you receive it, and keep your previous I-20/DS-2019 for your records, do NOT throw it away.