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REPLACING I-20/DS-2019 FORMS

 

International students who need replacement I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students) forms can request them from the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO).

Review all steps below to understand how to request these documents from ISPO.

 

Inability to Print an Electronically Issued I-20/DS-2019 or Need for Wet Signature

Purpose:

  • SEVP has authorized electronic issuance of the I-20 forms and the DOS has authorized electronic issuance of the DS-2019 forms. SEVP has coordinated with both the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the policy to allow electronic I-20 /DS-2019 issuance. Both agencies are in support of this action.
  • If you have requested an I-20 / DS-2019 in iPortal, and it has been issued electronically by ISPO and uploaded to your request, you can download it and print it.
  • If you are unable to print it for any reason, then you can request a physical/paper I-20/DS-2019 by following instructions below.
  • If you received an electronically issued I-20/DS-2019 by ISPO and need a physical/paper I-20/DS-2019 with a wet signature by following instructions below. 

Submit Your Request for an New I-20/DS-2019

  • Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
  • Go to "Services" tab.
  • Select "Replacement I-20/DS-2019 Request".
  • Choose the "I am requesting a new I-20/DS-2019 because I am issued an electronic version but I cannot print it OR I need a wet signature" replacement reason.
  • Fill out your request.
  • Choose your "Document Delivery Preference".
  • "Submit" your request.

Receive Your New DS-2019:

  • Your new DS-2019 will be issued within 5 business days.
  • Allow additional time for mailing. The mailing time will depend on the mailing option that you have chosen.
  • 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 new I-20/DS-2019 when you receive it, and keep your previous I-20/DS-2019 for your records, do NOT throw it away.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged I-20/DS-2019

Purpose:

  • If your I-20 or DS-2019 has been lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a replacement document from ISPO.

Submit Your Request for an New I-20/DS-2019:

  • Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
  • Go to "Services" tab.
  • Select "Replacement I-20/DS-2019 Request".
  • Fill out your request.
  • "Submit" your request.

Receive Your New I-20/DS-2019:

  • Your new I-20/DS-2019 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 new I-20/DS-2019 when you receive it, and keep your previous I-20/DS-2019 for your records, do NOT throw it away.

OPT Application I-20 Invalid after the 30-Day Filing Deadline

Purpose:

  • F-1 students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization must ensure that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCISreceives their OPT application within 30 days of the date the OPT I-20 is issued.
    • Furthermore, there is an eligibility window in which USCIS must receive your OPT application, for more information visit opt.ucsd.edu .
  • OPT applications received by USCIS beyond the 30 days from the date the OPT I-20 was issued will be automatically denied by USCIS.
  • If you miss this 30-day deadline, are within your OPT eligibility window, and would still like to apply for OPT, then you must request a replacement I-20 from ISPO before submitting your OPT application to USCIS.

Submit Your Request for an New I-20:

  • Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
  • Go to "Services" tab.
  • Select "Replacement I-20/DS-2019 Request".
  • Choose the "I am not on approved OPT" OPT status option.
  • Choose the "I am requesting a new OPT I-20 because I did not send my OPT Application for USCIS to receive within 30 days of original issuance" replacement reason.
  • Fill out your request.
  • "Submit" your request.

Receive Your New I-20:

  • Your new I-20 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 new I-20 when you receive it, and keep your previous I-20 for your records, do NOT throw it away.

Form I-515A Issuance After Entering the U.S. Without Valid Travel Document/s

Purpose:

  • If you arrive at the U.S. port of entry without all of your required documents or with unsigned or missing documents, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer has the discretion to issue you a form I-515A, which allows you temporary entry into the U.S. for 30 days
  • If you are issued a form I-515A, then you must request a replacement I-20 or DS-2019 from ISPO upon arrival to UC San Diego, and submit this new document to USCIS based on the instructions on the form I-515A

Submit Your Request for an New I-20/DS-2019:

  • Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
  • Go to "Services" tab.
  • Select "Replacement I-20/DS-2019 Request".
  • Fill out your request.
  • Choose your "Document Delivery Preference".
  • "Submit" your request.

Receive Your New I-20/DS-2019:

  • Your new I-20/DS-2019 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 new I-20/DS-2019 when you receive it, and keep your previous I-20/DS-2019 for your records, do NOT throw it away.

Copy of Past I-20/DS-2019

Purpose:

  • If your past I-20 or DS-2019 forms have been lost, stolen or damaged, you can request unsigned copies of particular forms that may be stored in ISPO's electronic archives. These copies cannot be backsigned.
  • ISPO provides copies of these forms as a courtesy to our students. We cannot guarantee availability of past forms requested by the student and we are not liable for forms that are no longer available.

Submit Your Request:

  • Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
  • Go to "Services" tab.
  • Select "Copy of Past I-20/DS-2019 Request".
  • Fill out and "Submit" your request.

Receive Your Document:

  • Your document will be issued within 10 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.
  • You will be able to retrieve an electronic copy of your document directly in your iPortal request. No hard copies will be provided.