After you have been admitted to a UCSF academic program, you can begin the process of applying for your student visa.
The basic steps to getting your UCSF-sponsored student visa and beginning your program are outlined below. Please review each step to learn what actions you must take if you wish to attend UCSF in a student-visa status.
1. Request a UCSF I-20 or DS-2019
Determine which type of student visa is best for you and how to obtain to relevant documents you'll need to acquire that status (or transfer your current visa to UCSF).
2. Apply for a Student Visa Stamp from a US Embassy
If you will be outside of the US before the start of your UCSF academic program, you may need a student visa to enter the US and begin your studies.
3. Arrive at UCSF and Check-In at the ISSO
Understand when you can arrive at UCSF. Once have arrived, you'll need to complete some important tasks before you can enroll in classes and activate your student visa record.
Attending UCSF Without an F-1 or J-1 Visa
Students who are currently in the US and in a visa status other than F-1 or J-1, such as H-4 of J-2, may enroll at UCSF without changing their current visa status.
We request that any student who is in the US on a visa status other than F-1 or J-1 please consult their current visa sponsor before they enroll in classes at UCSF. Some visa statuses, do not allow full-time study in a degree-seeking program.
If you wish to change your current visa status to F-1 or J-1, follow the instructions in Step 1 to apply for the documents you'll need to change your visa status.