Verification Documents and Letter Requests
International students can request various types of verification documents/letters from ISEO that verify their visa status as students at UC San Diego.
Visa Status or Enrollment Verification
Enrollment Verification Documents
ISEO does not issue Enrollment Verification documents. You can order transcripts and customizable enrollment verification documents from the Registrar's Office. These are that are generally issued within 24 hours. You can request a secure electronic version of the documents, or you can pick them up at the Registrar's Office or have them mailed to you. Use the following TritonLink pages to order your documents:
Visa Status Verification Letter
Submit a Letter Request in iServices:
- Find the Verification and Support Services category in the left menu.
- Select the Letter Request.
- Choose the Visa Status Verification Letter option.
- Submit the required eForm. You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
- ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.
Letter of Eligibility to Enroll at another School
You may need a Letter of Eligibility to Enroll at another School if you want to enroll at another school and one of the following situations apply:
- You would like to enroll at another school in the Summer/vacation term and you will continue your enrollment at UC San Diego in the following Fall quarter.
- You are maintaining full-time units at UC San Diego during the academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters) and would like to take extra classes at another school during the academic year.
- You would like to enroll at another school in the Summer/vacation term and you are enrolled in at least 1 unit at UC San Diego.
- You are in the final quarter of your program at UC San Diego with an approved Final Quarter RCL for that quarter, and are enrolled in at least 1 unit at UC San Diego in that quarter.
- You are on post-completion F-1 OPT or J-1 AT.
*If none of the situations outlined above applies to you, then submit a Concurrent Enrollment Authorization request instead.
Submit a Letter Request in iServices:
- Find the Verification and Support Services category in the left menu.
- Select the Letter Request.
- Choose the Letter of Eligibility to Enroll at Another Institution option.
- Submit the required eForm. You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
- ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.
Exchange Student Verification Letter (J-1 EAPR/Global Exchange)
An Education Abroad Program (EAP) Reciprocity or Global Exchange (GE) Student verification letter is a standardized verification document verifying international EAP/GE reciprocity student's enrollment at UC San Diego.
Submit a J-1 Letter Request in iServices:
- Find the Verification and Support Services category in the left menu.
- Select the Letter Request.
- Choose the Exchange Student Verification Letter option.
- If your home institution requires our office to complete a particular form, prepare a PDF copy of the form.
- Submit the required eForm. You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
- ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.
Work Authorization Verification
SSN Application Support Letter
An SSN application support letter is a standardized verification document verifying an international student's eligibility to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) with the SSA. For more information on the SSN, visit the following page: Social Security Number.
Please Note:
- F-1 students who have been approved for CPT do NOT need this letter to apply for an SSN.
- J-1 students who are applying for On-Campus Employment Authorization or Academic Training do NOT need to apply for this letter separately and should just submit the relevant employment request.
Submit an F-1 Letter Request in iServices:
- Find the Verification and Support Services category in the left menu.
- Select the Letter Request.
- Choose the SSN Application Support Letter option.
- Upload a PDF copy of your Job Offer Letter (for an SSN based on on-campus employment), or EAD card (for an SSN based on OPT).
- The SSA requirements for your job offer are extremely strict. Please view the requirements to be sure letter will be accepted.
- Submit the required eForm. You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
- ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.
- When you receive the letter, follow instructions on our Social Security Number page to apply for your SSN with the SSA Office.
ITIN Application Support Letter or No Employment Letter
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). ITIN is for federal tax reporting only, and is not intended to serve any other purpose.
F-1/J-1 students who are otherwise ineligible for a Social Security Number (SSN), and have received scholarship/fellowship income from their academic departments at UC San Diego can request an ITIN from the IRS. One of the steps in this process is to get a support letter from ISEO. Students may also request a 'No Employment Letter' in the same letter request. Visit our ITIN page for more information on this process.
Authorization for Work at Off-Campus Location Considered as On-Campus Employment
- For F-1 graduate students only.
- J-1 students do not request this letter. See On-Campus Employment Authorization or Academic Training Employment Authorization.
Submit an F-1 Letter Request in iServices:
- Find the Verification and Support Services category in the left menu.
- Select the Letter Request.
- Choose the Letter for On-Campus Employment at an Off-Campus Location option.
- Prepare a PDF copy of a letter from the employing entity and the UC San Diego faculty advisor explaining the nature of the employment and how the entity is educationally affiliated with UC San Diego.
- Submit the required eForm. You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
- ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.
USCIS Request for Evidence
A Request for Evidence (RFE) is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they determine that more information is needed to finish processing your application. USCIS sends out Form I-797e, also called a notice of action, when it issues an RFE.
Not all RFEs require ISEO's response. ISEO's response may be required if an RFE requests documentation or additional information specifically from a Designated School Official (DSO).
Submit an Letter Request in iServices:
- Find the Verification and Support Services category in the left menu.
- Select the Letter Request.
- Choose the Letter for Response to a USCIS RFE option.
- Prepare a PDF copy of the USCIS Request for Evidence for review.
- Submit the required eForm. You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
- ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.
Other Support Letters
Invitation Letters for Commencement
If your family members are planning to apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to visit you in the U.S., they may ask you to supply them with an invitation letter. Since U.S. embassies and consulates do not require invitation letters issued by the school, ISEO does not provide any kind of invitation letters, including ones for graduation/commencement ceremony.
However, you are encouraged to write your own invitation letter. You can use this sample invitation letter, or search for another template online. Keep in mind that such a letter does not guarantee a visa will be granted during your friend's or family member’s visa interview, nor is it required for the interview.
You might also want to supplement your invitation letter with proof of your current or previous attendance at UC San Diego. The following are the most common options:
- Enrollment Verification Documents for currently enrolled students.
- General Visa Status Verification Letters for currently enrolled students or students in a post-completion F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT or J-1 Academic Training work authorization period.
Furthermore, when you register for the commencement ceremony, you will receive a confirmation email about it, so you could include that confirmation as evidence of your commencement participation.
Driver License Residency Verification
Other Letter
An Other Letter is a non-standardized verification document, that is issued or completed for an international student at UC San Diego to assist with the student's special case or circumstance. A clear explanation of the student's circumstances must accompany the request for this letter.
Submit an Letter Request in iServices:
- Find the Verification and Support Services category in the left menu.
- Select the Letter Request.
- Choose the Other Letter option.
- If you have additional documents supporting/explaining your case, then select the option in the request form to upload the documents.
- Submit the required eForm. You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
- ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.