An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is undertaking a full course of study at a US academic institution to attain a specific educational or professional goal. Once the educational goals have been met, the F-1 student is expected to return to his or her home country.

If you have a valid non-immigrant visa and want to study full-time at UC San Diego, you can petition to alter your visa status to J-1 student. Please make certain that you are completely informed of any regulations and other considerations associated with a change in J-1 status.

Options to obtain J-1 student status

• Option #1: Depart the U.S. and apply for an J-1 visa in your home country

-OR-

• Option #2: Apply for a change of status to J-1 student status while remaining in the U.S.

Option #1: Applying for J-1 Visa Outside the U.S.

To apply for an J-1 visa outside of the U.S., you must obtain a Form DS-2019 from UC San Diego. Please do the following to obtain an J-1 visa:

• Meet with an International Student Advisor. Visit our Contact Us page to set up an appointment.
• Request a Change of Status DS-2019 from ISPO:
  • Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
  • Go to ” Services” tab.
  • Select “Change of Status DS-2019 Request”.
  • Complete your request.
  • Upload a PDF copy of your bank statement(s) or financial support letter(s) to show funding for the entire duration of your program of study on the DS-2019.
  • Upload a PDF copy of your passport bio page.
  • Upload a PDF copy of your most recent I-94.
    • Retrieve an electronic I-94 here: Get Most Recent I-94.
    • If you have a paper I-94, submit both front and back pages,
• “Submit” your request.
• Get your new DS-2019 from ISPO.
• Sign your new DS-2019 when you receive it.
• Pay the  I-901 SEVIS Fee.

Apply for J-1 Visa Outside the U.S.

• Once you have received your change of status DS-2019, schedule an appointment with a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the U.S.
• Interview with consular officer at U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the U.S. You may be asked to provide proof that you are a bona fide non-immigrant, with strong ties to your home country and no intention of immigrating to the U.S.
• Receive J-1 visa and reenter the U.S. to enroll as a full-time student at UC San Diego.
• After entry to the U.S. with the J-1 visa, obtain your I-94 from the CBP website and complete Document Self-Check.
• You are required to complete the iTriton Online Training by the end of your first quarter in J-1 status.

Option #2: Change of Status: Applying with USCIS and Remaining in the U.S.

To change your status to J-1 student status while remaining in the United States, you must apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Plan accordingly because this process could take 3-6 months or longer. ISPO advises starting this process at least 6 months before your current status expires.

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All nonimmigrants must now retain a valid nonimmigrant status until 30 days before the proposed start date on the Form DS-2019. ISPO recommends that students consult with an experienced immigration attorney if they have questions about procedures or maintaining status while a change of status application is pending.

Students transferring from B-2 or F-2 to J-1 status MUST acquire approval before the first day of the admitting quarter. Failure to obtain J-1 approval may cause your admission or enrolment at UC San Diego to be delayed or canceled.

Individuals seeking a change of status while residing in the United States must meet ALL of the following requirements:

• Your current I-94 status is valid.
• Your primary purpose for changing status in the U.S. must be to become a full-time student at UC San Diego.
• For prior J visa holders only: If you have ever been in J Exchange Visitor status, and are subject to the two-year home residency requirement, you are eligible to apply for a change of status in the U.S. only if you have fulfilled the requirement or have obtained a waiver and can provide a copy of the waiver.

Request a Change of Status DS-2019 from ISPO

• Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
• Go to ” Services” tab.
• Select “Change of Status DS-2019 Request”.
• Complete your request.
• Choose your “Document Delivery Preference”.
• Upload a PDF copy of your bank statement(s) or financial support letter(s) to show funding for the entire duration of your program of study on the DS-2019.
• Upload a PDF copy of your passport bio page.
• Upload a PDF copy of your most recent I-94.
  • Retrieve an electronic I-94
  • If you have a paper I-94, submit both front and back pages.
• “Submit” your request.
• Get your new DS-2019 from ISPO in 10 business days.
• Sign your new DS-2019 when you receive it.

Application packets sent via the United States Postal Service including USPS Express Mail, Priority Mail, or Certified Mail, should be sent to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility:

• USCIS 
  P.O. Box 660166 
  Dallas, TX 75266

Do not use the P.O. Box address listed above if you are sending your package via express mail/courier services, such as FedEx and UPS. Express mailings require a physical street address. Send your package via FedEx or UPS to:

• USCIS 
  ATTN: I-539 
  2501 S. State Highway 121 Business 
  Suite 400 
  Lewisville, TX 75067

Do the Following when Your Change of Status is Approved:

• When your change of status is approved, you will be issued an I-797 Approval Notice with an attached I-94.
• Make a copy and submit it to ISPO and UC San Diego Residency Deputy in the Registrar’s Office. Make sure to contact ISPO to complete the SEVIS registration process. Failure to complete the SEVIS registration process in a timely fashion will negatively affect your newly obtained J-1 student status in the U.S.
• Request an updated DS-2019 reflecting your new approved visa status.
• All international students are also required to attend an orientation session. Failure to attend orientation may prevent you from registering for classes.

Traveling Outside the U.S. after Change of Status Approval:

• Changing your status to J-1 while in the U.S. does not include an J-1 visa for reentry into the U.S. If you travel outside of the U.S. after your change of status is approved, you will need to obtain an J-1 visa stamp from an American Embassy or Consulate abroad (Canadian citizens are exempt).
• Consult with an International Student Advisor to discuss your travel plans prior to leaving the U.S.