CONTACT THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & PROGRAMS OFFICE (ISPO)
(This page has a friendly link that's easy to remember: icontact.ucsd.edu)
Our mission is to enrich the academic, research, and intercultural experiences of international students, provide the highest levels of knowledge and expertise in advising and immigration services within a welcoming and supportive environment, and advance global education and engagement efforts, in partnership with campus departments and units.
RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
ISPO looks forward to welcoming all of our newly admitted and returning students to campus. For international travelers arriving to the U.S., note the following resources available to you before and during your travels:
- TRAVEL EMERGENCIES: Call 858-534-3730
- TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Learn which documents are required to seek entry to the U.S.
CONTACT US
CONTACT FORM
ONLINE: DROP-IN ADVISING (ZOOM)
JOIN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VIRTUAL ADVISING IN 3 EASY STEPS:
STEP 1
Use the " SIGN IN HERE " button below to fill out and submit the sign-in form.
(Only sign-in during advising hours posted below.)
STEP 2
Then click on the Zoom link provided by the sign-in form to enter a virtual waiting room.
(Please note that waiting times may reach 30-60 minutes.)
STEP 3
An ISPO Advisor will admit you to a one-on-one session on a first-come first-serve basis.
(Complex cases taking more than 10 minutes may be referred for follow-up advising at another time.)
HOURS FOR WINTER 2023
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kst to est | MORNING (Pacific Time) |
AFTERNOON (Pacific Time) |
Monday | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
Tuesday | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
Wednesday | No Advising | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Thursday | No Advising | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Friday | No Advising | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Saturday/Sunday/ Holidays | No Advising |
For questions related to iPortal requests , F or J visa status , travel , and working in the U.S. :
Questions regarding admissions , housing , academic enrollment , or health matters are beyond the scope of ISPO's expertise and may be best directed to different UC San Diego offices.
IN PERSON: FRONT DESK HOURS
IN-PERSON FRONT DESK SERVICES
- For students on-site needing in-person services such as document pick-up, drop-off, or general information, ISPO's Front Desk is open.
- To visit our office, please see ISPO's Physical Location & Address.
- Please ensure you are following all safety and health measures when on campus.
- Once you have arrived to ISPO's Front Desk, please make sure you sign-in so we can better serve you.
FRONT DESK HOURS | |
Monday | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Tuesday | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Wednesday | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Thursday | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Friday | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Saturday/Sunday/ Holidays | No Front Desk |
INQUIRIES FOR COMPLEX CASES AND FOLLOW-UP
- If you have more complex questions or a situation that we may not have time to discuss during our regularly scheduled virtual Zoom Advising sessions, you may request additional assistance that will be provided either through a Zoom appointment or email.
- Please note that Zoom appointment availability is limited, with longer waiting times, so a faster way to talk to us may be through attending additional regularly scheduled virtual Zoom Advising sessions.
- Submit our Contact Form with a thorough description of the topic/situation you would like to discuss.
- Within 3-5 businesss days (1 week), an ISPO Advisor will either answer your questions through email, or schedule a Zoom appointment with you if one is available and/or needed for your case.
EXPEDITE / URGENT REQUEST FORM
- All submitted forms will be automatically routed to the appropriate advisor, and considered on a case-by-case basis.
- We will do our best to complete your request as soon as possible, but completion of your request before its due date is subject to our advisors' current workload and it is not guaranteed.
- A notification email will be sent to you when your document/service request has been completed.
PHONE LINE: EMERGENCY CONTACT
BUSINESS HOURS EMERGENCY PHONE LINE:
- PHONE NUMBER:
- 858-534-3730
- AVAILABLE:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- WHEN TO USE:
- If you have an urgent situation, such as travel issues at the Port of Entry, and you or a government official or law enforcement officer need to speak with an ISPO Advisor.
- If you urgently need to check the status of your iPortal request, please use drop-in advising during published advising hours as this line is for emergency situations only.
- If your situation is related to your I-20/DS-2019 travel signature, first review information regarding the I-515A on our travel page.
For a true emergency that is related to health or safety, call 911, or UC San Diego Campus Police at 858-534-4357.
For questions related to your visa status that is not urgent or an emergency, please join our Zoom Advising or submit a Contact Form above.
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY PHONE LINE:
- PHONE NUMBER:
- 858-534-4357 (UC San Diego Campus Police)
- AVAILABLE:
- After hours and on weekends, university holidays, and during other announced closures.
- WHEN TO USE:
- If you have an urgent situation, such as travel issues at the Port of Entry, and you or a government official or law enforcement officer need to speak with an ISPO Advisor.
- If your situation is related to your I-20/DS-2019 travel signature, first review information regarding the I-515A on our travel page.
For a true emergency that is related to health or safety, call 911, or UC San Diego Campus Police at 858-534-4357.
For questions related to your visa status that is not urgent or an emergency, please join our Zoom Advising or submit a Contact Form above.
PRINTABLE ISPO EMERGENCY CONTACT CARD
You can download and print this card, or save it as a digital copy .
The ISPO Emergency Contact Card can be printed for your wallet and/or kept with your immigration documents. This card has important phone numbers as well as tips on what to do if you are detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or are arrested by police.
FIND US ON CAMPUS
PHYSICAL LOCATION & ADDRESS
OUR ADDRESS
International Students & Programs Office
Student Center B
9500 Gilman Drive #0018
La Jolla, California 92093-0018
DRIVING & PARKING DIRECTIONS
Driving Directions
- ISPO is located off of La Jolla Village Drive on Interstate 5.
- From Interstate 5, EXIT on La Jolla Village Drive WEST.
- Proceed to the first light at the bottom of the hill and TURN RIGHT onto VILLA LA JOLLA DRIVE.
- TURN LEFT onto GILMAN DRIVE.
- At the third stop sign, TURN RIGHT onto MANDEVILLE LANE.
- We are located in Student Center B, on the corner of Gilman Drive and Mandeville Lane (see the photo below)
Parking Information
- The Gilman Parking Structure has visitor spaces (marked "V") available for parking by the hour, and is located 3 blocks east of our office at the Student Center B on Gilman Drive and Russell Lane.
- Use the pay stations located on each floor to purchase your permit.
- For more information on other parking options, visit the UC San Diego Transportation Services website.
BUSES
Campus Shuttle
Students, faculty, and staff can ride free shuttles that serve campus, medical centers and key points off campus. For more information, please visit the campus shuttles webpage on the Transportation Services website.
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) buses stop at the Gilman Transit Center, which is located on Gilman Drive just west of the Gilman Parking Structure, which is about two blocks from our office in Student Center B.
Gilman Transit Center MTS Bus Routes:
- 30: UTC, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Old Town, downtown San Diego
- 41: VA Hospital, UTC, Clairemont, Fashion Valley
- 101: UTC, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside NCTD
- 150: UTC, VA Hospital, Old Town, downtown San Diego
- 201/202 SuperLoop: UTC area
- 204 SuperLoop: UTC area, Executive Drive, Judicial Drive, Nobel Drive
- 237: UC San Diego - Rancho Bernardo Transit Station
- 921: UTC, Mira Mesa
To plan your trip and get bus schedules please take a visit the San Diego MTS schedules page.
For more information regarding public transit at UC San Diego, please visit the Transportation Services website.