☑ Keep Your Passport Valid
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future.
- Contact your home country’s embassy in the U.S. for information about renewing your passport validity.
☑ Keep Your Local Address Updated
- Keep your local residential address current by completing the Address Update.
☑ Maintain Full-Time Enrollment
- You must be enrolled in 12 units each quarter.
☑ Get International Center Approval Before Withdrawing from UCI
- If for some reason you must withdraw from your program or drop below full-time, you are required to have approval from the International Center.
☑ Attend the School on Your I-20/DS-2019
- You must have a current, valid I-20 from UCI. If you previously attended another U.S. school before coming to UCI, the SEVIS transfer process must be completed through the International Center’s online visa check-in, also known as iNavigate.
☑ Keep Your I-20/DS-2019 Valid
Submit the Student Visa Document Request if you require an update of your I-20/DS-2019. These updates can include, change of major, degree, completion date, financial updates, replacement, or travel.
☑ Discuss a Change of Major or Degree Objective with Your Academic Department
Any such changes should be discussed fully with your academic counselor before updating your visa document.
- If you are a J-1 student, you must discuss a change of major or degree objective with your program sponsor before making a change to your visa document.
☑ Get a Travel Signature
- Before your departure from the U.S., request a signature for re-entry from an advisor at the International Center. The signature is valid for one year.
- J-1 student sponsored by a third-party organization (Fulbright, LASPAU, or other): acquire a travel signature from your program sponsor.
☑ Request Authorization for Employment
- On-campus employment — Limit employment to 20 hours per week during the academic year. Employment on-campus may be full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer and vacation periods.
- Off-campus employment — Do not work off-campus without permission. Work permission for F-1 students must be requested and approved by the International Center and USCIS.
☑ Health Insurance Coverage
The University of California requires all registered students to have health insurance as a non-academic condition of enrollment. To assist students in meeting this requirement, the University provides the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP).
- F-1: You are required to have health insurance as a registered UCI student.
- J-1: You and your dependents must obtain health insurance coverage that meets J-1 federal guidelines for the entire length of your stay.
☑ Transferring to Another U.S. School
If you wish to move from one university to another, you will need admission to your future school.
- J-1 Students: You will need permission from your current Program Sponsor. If you wish to change universities, contact that organization as early as possible to receive authorization and further instructions.