Academic Major Change
Find information about what actions F-1 and J-1 students should take after changing their major or adding a second major.
Note: This guidance does not apply to EAP Reciprocity students, Third-Party-Sponsored Students (e.g. Fulbright, etc.), Global Exchange students, or students in Special Programs auch as HSI.
Update your I-20/DS-2019
When F-1 and J-1 students change their major or add a second major through TritonLink, ISEO will automatically receive a notification and the student's SEVIS record will be updated. Since your SEVIS record will be updated automatically soon after your new major or double major is approved and appears in your TritonLink, you do not need to report this change to ISEO.
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.
Request an Updated I-20/DS-2019:
ISEO will not automatically issue an updated I-20/DS-2019 after you update your major. 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.
If you need an updated I-20/DS-2019 for travel or other purposes, 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
Submit an "Updated I-20/DS-2019 Request" on iPortal.
- Choose the "Academic Major Change" option.
- The processing time is 5 business days.
- You will be notified via email when the request is complete.
- Print and sign the I-20/DS-2019, and keep a copy for your own records.