GETTING SUSPENDED OR ACADEMICALLY DISQUALIFIED

Overview

You may choose to depart the U.S. for the duration of your disqualification/suspension. Your SEVIS record will be terminated on or after the date of departure and will no longer be valid for use. Review the Termination of F/J Visa Status page for additional information on terminations.

Once your SEVIS record is terminated, you are no longer eligible for the benefits of your visa status, including employment and travel and reentry. Any employment authorization will no longer be valid. You may not use the terminated I-20 or DS-2019 for work authorization or travel and reentry into the U.S. Once you are dismissed, do not travel and attempt to reenter the U.S. with the UC San Diego I-20 or DS-2019.

Important Note for F-1 students within a Year of Graduation

To return to the U.S. after your dismissal, you will request a new I-20/SEVIS record. In order to be eligible for F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization, you will need to complete at least one academic year on that new SEVIS record. Take this into consideration when reviewing your options.

Action and Timeline:

• Submit the “Termination of Status Reporting Form” via iPortal. Visit the Withdrawal from UC San Diego page for submission instructions.
• The departure date must align with one of the following dates, whichever is later:
  • 15 days after the start date of instruction of the suspension/disqualification term, or
  • 15 days after the date of appeal denial (if you are provided an option to appeal), or
  • 15 days after your last date of enrollment.
• You may verify the date with an International Student Advisor.

You may transfer your SEVIS record to a school that you are admitted to and that accepts F-1 or J-1 students. You can search for schools to transfer to on the following Study in the States website by city, education type (higher ed or language training) , and visa type:

• Study in the States - School Search

Important Note for Academically Disqualified Undergraduate Students

In order to be readmitted to UC San Diego after disqualification, you are not required to complete coursework elsewhere, but you may choose to in order to make degree progress. If you want to remain in the United States and maintain your visa status, you will want to carefully consider coursework at local community colleges or through UC San Diego Extension. In most cases, UC San Diego Extension will allow students to take classes at the English Language Institute (ELI) for one quarter and concurrently enroll at UC San Diego during the second quarter, either through Extension’s University and Professional Studies Program (international concurrent enrollmment) or UC San Diego Summer Session (if appropriate). 

For questions about the ELI, visit the ELI office at Extension’s Building E or email eliadvisor@ucsd.edu. If you have questions about transferable courses in your time away, check with your college advisors.  

Action and Timeline:

• J-1 students: Contact an International Student Advisor to discuss transfer eligibility.
• F-1 students: Submit the “Transfer Out Request” via iPortal. Visit the SEVIS Record Transfer to Another School page for submission instructions.
• The SEVIS transfer date must align with one of the following dates, whichever is later:
  • 15 days after the start date of instruction of the suspension/disqualification term, or
  • 15 days after the date of appeal denial (if you are provided an option to appeal), or
  • 15 days after your last date of enrollment.
• You may verify the date with an International Student Advisor.
• Once your record has been transferred, you must start full time enrollment at the other school at the next earliest enrollment start date. This date must be within 5 months of your last enrollment at UC San Diego.

It is important that you carefully review any communication from your College (undergraduate), Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (graduate students) or the Office of Student Conduct regarding your dismissal and any actions you must take in order to be eligible to return to UC San Diego.