The International Students and Scholars office is in its new location in the Student Services Building, 2nd Floor. The Education Abroad Office will remain in Skye Hall room 339 until later in the Winter quarter.

Fall colors warm the campus on December 11, 2019.

Get Prepared for UCR

Before Coming to UCR

We are looking forward to seeing you on campus. Before you start your journey to Riverside, please read the useful information below to get yourself prepared. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

International Affairs Main Office: (951) 827-4113

International Students: internationalstudents@ucr.edu
International Scholars: internationalscholars@ucr.edu

 

Financial Verification for I-20 and DS-2019 Issuance

  • Estimated Cost of Attendance

    Financial Verification is required to issue an initial attendance I-20 or DS-2019 for the sole purpose of obtaining an F or J visa.  Students need to show documentation indicating that they have the appropriate amount of financial support.  These estimated amounts of required financial verification are estimates only and are subject to change without notice.  The verification amounts are listed on the I-20/DS-2019 request form that you will be directed to when you commit to UCR.

  • Sponsorship Types

    Personal (self) - bank letter/statement in your name that shows funding in liquid accounts, such as savings, checking, or short-term deposits. Non-liquid funding such as stocks, bonds, and insurance policies are not acceptable.
    Family/ Individual - bank letter/statement in another person’s name that shows funding in liquid accounts, such as savings, checking, or short-term deposits. Non-liquid funding such as stocks, bonds, and insurance policies are not acceptable.
    UCR Scholarship or Fellowship - Funding received from UCR. Submit the letter which shows the funding table or award amount. Funding for the first academic year (9 months) will be counted for F1 students.
    External Sponsor (Government, Agency, Employer, etc.) - Support letter on company letterhead that details the financial support provided and the specific living stipend amount, if applicable. Must state the period of funding and recipient name.

  • Financial Bank Document Requirements

    The Bank Statement/ Letter should consist of the following:
    1. Must be liquid assets (checking account, savings account, short term deposit)
    2. Recently issued (dated), preferably within the last 3 months
    3. Official document which includes account type, bank name and branch (no screenshots)
    4. Translated to English
    5. Includes account holder’s name
    6. States the actual amount of money available [not average balance] and currency type

    If you have any questions related to acceptable sponsor types or financial documentation, please contact our office at 951-827-4113 or internationalstudents@ucr.edu. If you have questions relating to school funding, such as scholarships or fellowships, please contact the graduate program that you are applying to or the undergraduate admissions office.

Checklist for Admission

Register for International Student Orientation

  • How to Join International Student Orientation
    Welcome to UCR!

    To help you adjust to life at the university and in the U.S., we have put some introductory material together. We will cover all of the information you need to get settled at UCR over the course of several workshops on campus.

    Going through these resources and instructions together in person gives you an opportunity to not only get to know us, but also other international students and scholars who will be going through the same journey as you.


    Please join us for our next orientation in September and please follow the steps below:

    1. Register for Orientation through the registration link that was emailed to you. Once registration opens, all new incoming students will receive the email to register.
    2. Attend Orientation.
      *Bring a pen or pencil and paper, your UCR student identification number, and a jacket or sweater!

     

  • What to expect from International Student Orientation

    Welcome to UCR! At our International Student Orientation, you will learn about:

    • UCR services and student organizations
    • Maintaining your immigration status
    • Health and safety procedures
    • General class registration procedures
    • Cultural adjustment
    • Your fellow international students and our International Student Orientation Leaders

Entering the U.S. & Travel Documents

  • Travel to the U.S.

    When entering the United States, be prepared to show the following documents:

    • Passport (valid for at least 6 months in the future)
    • F1 or J1 visa (if required for your country of origin)
    • Valid Form I-20 (F1) or Form DS-2019 (J1)
    • Receipt of SEVIS fee payment (I-901)
    • UCR Admission Letter (recommended)
    • Financial Support Documentation

    Remember: If you have an initial attendance I-20 or DS-2019, you cannot enter the United States more than 30 days prior to your program start date, which is listed on the I-20 as the “earliest admission date“. You will not be allowed to enter the US in F1 of J1 status if you arrive earlier.

    If you hold a “transfer pending” I-20 document, you may return to the United States at anytime between your programs without a travel signature. The “earliest admission date” field on your I-20 is blank. Once your program starts, you will need an updated I-20 and travel signature for international travel.

    Do not enter the US using a B-1/B-2 (tourist) visa, or tourist visa waiver. You are not allowed to study if on a tourist visa and doing so may have immigration implications.

     

  • I-94

    After you enter the United States, go online to verify and print your I-94. Check that your personal information is accurate and that it states the correct visa type. Please print it and keep a copy with your immigration documents. If you enter through a land border, make sure to ask the CBP officer for an I-94 card. After each international re-entry, please make sure to check and print your new I-94 record. If any information on your I-94 is incorrect, please contact Deferred Inspection immediately to have your record corrected. Depending on your case, you may be required to report in person or submit documentation by email. The closest deferred inspection site is in Los Angeles:

    300 N. Los Angeles St., Room 2067
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
    Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday

    Phone: (213) 830-5972
    Email: I94LAX@CBP.DHS.GOV

  • Late Arrivals due to COVID-19 Pandemic

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic embassy/consulate closures and backlog of visa applications, many students are having difficulty getting visa appointments in a timely manner. 

    If you will receive your visa late or will not be able to arrive before the first day of the Fall 2021 quarter, please contact your academic department to confirm if they will permit you to arrive late. ISS will allow F-1/J-1 students to arrive by October 15 if permitted by their academic department and/or the Graduate Division. 

    The ISS office has created a general letter template that confirms in-person instruction and arrival procedures at UCR. You may print this letter and bring it with you if you wish. 

    ISS Letter - Visa and Arrivals

    If you are unable to arrive by October 15 or the latest arrival date permitted by your academic department, you may need to defer your admission to Winter quarter or take Fall quarter courses remotely from your home country (if available and permitted by your department and, if you are a graduate student, the Graduate Division). Please contact your academic department regarding your options if you cannot arrive for Fall 2021 quarter. 

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