Request the Form DS-2019

To review eligibility requirements for the Form DS-2019 and J-1 visa, visit our F-1 and J-1 Visa Eligibility webpage. 

Degree Students: You are eligible to request the Form DS-2019 if: 

• You have been admitted to a UC San Diego degree program; AND 
• You have accepted your offer of admission in your Applicant Portal. 

Exchange Students: You are eligible to request the Form DS-2019 if: 

• You have received the email from UCEAPR notifying you of your acceptance to the exchange program at UC San Diego; AND
• You have received an email from the International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) instructing you to submit your DS-2019 request. 

You must submit your Form DS-2019 request within the required timeframe: 

*Requests for the Form DS-2019 may be accepted after these dates; however, timely issuance cannot be guaranteed. It is your responsibility to submit your Form DS-2019 request by the relevant date above. 

Prepare the following documents to submit as part of your Form DS-2019 Request: 

1. Valid Passport. Prepare to upload a color copy of the biographical page of your valid passport. Your passport’s expiration date must be at least 6 months after the start of your UC San Diego program. 
2. Required Funding Documents: Prepare to upload copies of acceptable financial documents proving you meet the Form DS-2019 funding requirements. 
   1. Review our Funding Requirements webpage to learn what minimum amount of funding you are required to show, and which financial documents you can use. 
3. Dependent documents: If you plan to have your spouse and/or children under the age of 21 accompany you to the United States on the F-2 dependent visa, you must also provide valid passport(s) and proof of funding for each of your dependents. 
   1. Note: While ISEO does not require proof of your relationship to each dependent, we highly recommend you prepare official marriage certificate (for spouse) and/or birth certificates (for children), as these may be requested at the time of your visa interview. 
4. SEVIS Transfer Students: If you are currently in J-1 status via another U.S. school (nearing graduation, or on post-completion Academic Training): 
   1. Prepare to upload a copy of your most recently issued DS-2019. 
   2. DO NOT have your current school release your SEVIS record to UC San Diego until an ISEO Student Advisor has reviewed and approved your Form DS-2019 request (see next section). For more information on the J-1 SEVIS Transfer process, see here.

iServices (iServices.ucsd.edu) is ISEO's document and service request portal for international students. Review ISEO's iServices Instructions for Students page for helpful information on accessing, submitting requests through, and troubleshooting with, iServices. 

To access iServices: 

1. Login to iServices (iServices.ucsd.edu).* 
   1. Summer start students: If you were admitted to a Summer start program (June, July, August), log into iServices using your Active Directory credentials (not Student SSO). 
   2. Fall start students: Once you accept your offer of admission, you will receive an email from ISEO inviting you to apply for your Form DS-2019. Look for an email with the subject line “Welcome! Immigration Information for Newly Admitted International Students”. While you wait for this email, you can gather all required supporting documentation (see above) in preparation for your application.   

To submit your Form DS-2019 request: 

1. In the iServices menu, click Starting a New Program at UC San Diego. 
2. Select the appropriate request based on your situation: 
   1. New Admit Form DS-2019 Request if you will begin your degree program with UC San Diego in J-1 visa status. This includes SEVIS Transfers. 
   2. New Admit Change of Status to F-1 or J-1 Request if you are currently in the U.S. in a different non-immigrant visa status (i.e. F-2, H-4, L-2, etc.) with intention to apply to change to J-1 status with USCIS without departing the U.S. If you are in the U.S. and wish to change to F-1 status by travel, do not use this request. 
3. Complete all required eforms within the request. 
4. Submit the request by submitting the “Submission Confirmation” eform last.  

When you have successfully submitted a request, the status of your request will be "Pending Office Approval." 

If you have submitted a Form DS-2019 request, you will receive email confirmation of your submission. ISEO processes Form DS-2019 requests on a first‑come, first‑served basis. During peak season, it can take up to approximately three weeks to issue your Form DS-2019 once we receive a complete request.  

If your request is missing any items or does not meet the requirements, ISEO will follow up with you via email. Incomplete requests require additional follow‑up and will delay document issuance. ISEO works to support all students as quickly as possible. However, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to submit a complete and accurate New Admit DS-2019 request. 

SEVIS Transfer Students: Standard processing time begins once your complete and accurate New Admit DS-2019 request is preliminary approved in iServices, and your prior institution has released your SEVIS record to UC San Diego. 

ISEO does not expedite New Admit Form DS-2019 requests under any circumstances. 

Your Form DS-2019 will be sent to your UC San Diego email once it has been issued. You will also be able to download it from the Documents section of iServices. 

Review your Form DS-2019 for accuracy. If everything looks accurate, print and sign it. The Form DS-2019 must be signed with a wet signature in blue ink.  

Review the following on your Form DS-2019 for accuracy:  

• SEVIS ID Number: Your SEVIS ID number is in the top right corner of your Form DS-2019, and starts with the letter "N". Your SEVIS ID is your unique J-1 status ID number. 
  • SEVIS Transfer Students: If you transferred your SEVIS record to UC San Diego, the SEVIS ID number on your UC San Diego DS-2019 should be the same as your previous institution's DS-2019.  
• Biographical Information: ISEO will always use the legal information listed in your passport.  
• Program Information: 
  • Form Covers Period: Reflects the start and end date of your program. You are expected to arrive to UC San Diego by the displayed start date (“From”). 
  • Exchange Visitor Category 
    • Degree-Seeking Students: Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate 
    • Exchange Students: Non-degree 
  • Subject/Field Code: 
    • Degree Students: Although some CIP Codes may sound different from the name of your major/field of study as listed within TritonLink, it does not mean the code is incorrect. A full list of UC San Diego major/field of study codes and corresponding CIP codes can be reviewed here. Classifications are not determined by ISEO. 
    • Exchange Students: All exchange students receive a CIP code of 24.0199 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other. This is because exchange students are not earning a degree from UC San Diego and are therefore not admitted to a specific major/field of study while at UC San Diego. 
• Funding: Ensure your funding sources are accurate. 
• ARO Signature: Ensure there is a valid signature from an ISEO Staff Member (“Alternate Responsible Officer”) on the first page. 

If you need to edit any information on your Form DS-2019, follow instructions here.