STEP 1 - REQUEST YOUR IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT

• The fee is $657.00
• An administrative fee of 14% will be applied for overhead cost recovery.
• Fees subject to change without prior notification. The fee is a non-refundable except in specific cases.
• Access to the payment link for this required fee is within the iPortal's NEW ADMIT: I-20 or DS-2019 Special Start Programs request (see instructions below).

International students requiring a non-immigrant F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the USA must request and receive a Form I-20 (F-1 Student) or DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitor) to begin their program of study at UC San Diego. The Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 is required to apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa. 

Requesting your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 in iPortal:

1. LOG INTO iPORTAL.
   You can log into iPortal using your UC San Diego Personal ID (PID). Note, you must wait 24 hours after filling out the Summer Session online application and requesting the UC San Diego Student ID and password to access iPortal.
   
   
2. SELECT AN iPORTAL SERVICE. 
   Under the Services Tab, start the NEW ADMIT: I-20 or DS-2019 Special Start Programs.
   NOTE: Please select "Summer Session Visiting" for the program type.
   
   
3. COMPLETE YOUR REQUEST.
   The iPortal will help you determine what is the appropriate status and visa for you (see: F-1 or J-1: Selection of Visa Classification). 

How long will it take to receive my document? 

The processing time for your I-20/DS-2019 document is 15 business days from the date of a complete submission; incomplete requests will cause a delay in processing. For students transferring their SEVIS Record to UC San Diego, 15 days will begin from your SEVIS release date or date of complete submission, whichever is later. If your application is incomplete or invalid, you will be contacted via email directly after an advisor has thoroughly reviewed your request. Remember, you can check the status of your request by logging in to the iPortal at any time! 

When Is My Program Start Date? 

If you are a non-UC San Diego student in the U.S. and plan to transfer your record to UC San Diego in order to take online Summer Session classes, you will be issued either a summer session one or summer session two start date. The first date of the summer session term will be the program start date listed on your form I-20 or DS-2019.

Receiving a New Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 with the SAME SEVIS ID NUMBER (Students Transferring their SEVIS Record to UC San Diego)

Note that if your last date of enrollment or last date of authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT) at another U.S. institution is within 5 months of the summer session start date, you may request to transfer your SEVIS Record to UC San Diego. 

See the next section, "Transfer your SEVIS Record to UC San Diego (if applicable)" for more information.

When Can I Enter the U.S. with My Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 from UC San Diego?

Restrictions on entering the U.S. once you've received your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 from UC San Diego will depend on two things: Your SEVIS ID Number and Program Start Date. 

1. Receiving a NEW SEVIS ID NUMBER from UC San Diego:
   You may enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the Program Start Date listed on your Form I-20/Form DS-2019. 
   
   
2. Receiving the SAME SEVIS ID NUMBER from UC San Diego: 
   If you receive the same SEVIS ID Number, you successfully transferred your SEVIS record to UC San Diego from another institution in the U.S. Unlike students who receive a NEW SEVIS ID, there are no restriction on entering anytime prior to 30 days before the start date.This means you may enter any time before the program start date but should only re-enter the U.S. with your I-20/DS-2019 from UC San Diego in hand.

Note that if your last date of enrollment or last date of authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT) at another U.S. institution is within 5 months of the intended summer session term start date, you may be eligible to request to transfer your SEVIS Record to UC San Diego. Please note the information below is ONLY applicable for F-1 students. J-1 Students seeking a SEVIS Transfer should first contact ISPO.

What does it mean to transfer my SEVIS record?  

Many students think the term ‘Transfer’ only applies to the transferring of academic credits or units from one school to another. For example, transferring 60 units/credits from a Community College to UC San Diego. However, for international students, the terms ‘SEVIS Transfer’, ‘Transferring my SEVIS Record’, or ‘Releasing my SEVIS Record’ can actually mean something different!

If you are currently enrolled at another U.S. Institution and hold an active SEVIS record and SEVIS ID Number, you may be eligible for a SEVIS Transfer.

• A SEVIS Transfer occurs when a Designated School Official (DSO) at your current institution electronically sends your SEVIS record (Form I-20) to UC San Diego.
• Once they electronically release your SEVIS record, UC San Diego can then issue you a Form I-20 with the SAME SEVIS ID Number. The I-20 you receive from UC San Diego will reflect your new program dates and details.
• A DSO can electronically release your SEVIS record on the same day or schedule a transfer for a future date. The date that the record is released from your current school to UC San Diego is know as your SEVIS Record Release Date. 
  
• UC San Diego does not use a transfer-in form for students transferring into our school. If your current school needs verification of your SEVIS transfer, please contact ISPO via icontact.ucsd.edu.

How do I know if I am eligible for a SEVIS transfer?

If your last date of enrollment or last date of employment on post-completion OPT is within 5 months of your program start date at UC San Diego, you may be eligible to request a SEVIS Transfer.

• Eligibility to transfer is decided by your current school that holds your SEVIS Record and Form I-20.
• Note that SEVIS Transfers are NOT automatic upon acceptance to Summer Session at UC San Diego. You must contact your current school to request a timely SEVIS Transfer.
• The deadline for F-1 students to request a SEVIS transfer from their previous school is 60 days after the program completion date or OPT end date, whichever is later. 
  

What’s the process of transferring my SEVIS record?  

SEVIS Transfers require coordination between you, the DSO at your current school, and UC San Diego.

1. Schedule a SEVIS Release Date: You’ll need to contact your DSO at your current school and let them know that you wish to transfer your SEVIS record to UC San Diego. Our SEVIS school code is SND214F00088000. Ensure that you obtain written confirmation from your school that your SEVIS record was released successfully in active status. Ensure that your release date is within 5 months of when you wish to begin your summer session at UC San Diego (please see summersession.ucsd.edu for more details)
   
   
2. Request Form I-20 from UC San Diego in iPortal: Don't wait until your SEVIS Release Date to request your Form I-20 from UC San Diego! Even prior to your SEVIS Release date, you can log into iPortal and request your I-20 from UC San Diego. We will issue your I-20 within 15 business days of your iPortal Request or your SEVIS Release Date, whichever is later. If your SEVIS Record is not released to UC San Diego on your indicated SEVIS Release Date, UC San Diego will contact you to let you know! However, it is your responsibility to follow up with your current school to ensure the SEVIS record was released successfully on your SEVIS release date to UC San Diego. 
   
   
3. Receive UCSD I-20 from UC San Diego & Begin Program: Once you receive your document from UC San Diego, ensure that the SEVIS ID listed is the same SEVIS ID number listed on your previous school’s I-20. Begin your program at UC San Diego on the program start date listed on your Form I-20.

Transferring your SEVIS Record allows you to:

• Exit and re-enter any time before their program start date but may only re-enter the U.S. with a valid F-1 or J-1 Visa and your I-20/DS-2019 from UC San Diego in hand.

After receiving your I-20 (F-1 Students) or DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitors), you must pay your SEVIS fee to activate your document. This fee is paid each time you receive a new SEVIS ID Number. 

Students transferring their SEVIS record to UC San Diego are NOT required to pay the SEVIS fee again since their SEVIS ID Number remains the same.

• Pay via Internet, via Western Union, or by mail.
• Keep the Form I-797 receipt in a safe place.
• Review the FMJ Fee Page for details.