A student visa--usually a F-1 or J-1 visa--can only be obtained at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. To apply for a F-1 visa students must have an I-20 form. The J-1 visa application requires a DS-2019 form.

All new students need to submit a request form to obtain an I-20 or DS-2019 from SISS.  Undergraduate students will be able to complete this form on Myadmissions. After SISS receives your completed request form and all required documents, your I-20 or DS-2019 will be issued in approximately 14 business days.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive during this time, SISS will not be able to provide delivery confirmation of your I-20/DS-2019 application. If you are concerned about SISS receiving your I-20/DS-2019 application, you should consider sending it by express mail in order to track the delivery.

Once SISS receives your request form, your admission to UC Davis will be verified and the processing of your I-20 or DS-2019 will begin.  If there are documents missing, you will be contacted.  SISS will use your UC Davis email address to communicate with you. It will take SISS approximately 14 business days to issue your I-20 or DS-2019.  You will receive an email when the I-20 or DS-2019 has been mailed. 

The SISS orientation for fall term is usually held a couple weeks before classes begin in mid-September. Orientation is a mandatory program for all new and transfer international students. Continue to check the SISS website for more information. If you are coming to UC Davis for winter term, the new student orientation is usually during the first week of January.

International students should contact Conference Housing. Conference Housing includes accommodations, meals and use of campus recreation facilities. You should also take a look at our housing web page for other housing options.

New students who are coming into the U.S. for the first time to begin a program may enter the country no more than 30 days prior to the start date of their program (this date is noted in item #5 on your I-20 or item #3 on your DS-2019 form). However, students who arrive in the fall should plan to come for the new student orientation, which is usually held a couple weeks before classes begin.

Students should NOT ENTER the U.S. with a tourist (B-1/B-2) visa or visa waiver just prior to attending classes. It is illegal to attend school full-time on a tourist visa.

Students who have recently studied at another school or university in the United States and have had their SEVIS record transferred to UC Davis are not restricted to the 30 day limit.

A U.S. Embassy or Consulate can issue your visa up to 120 days prior to the start of the program. For more complete information on applying for a U.S. visa, please visit www.travel.state.gov.

Immigration regulations require the verification of the first year of living and tuition expenses in order to issue the I-20 or DS-2019.  For the 2013/2014 academic year, SISS will need to verify $53,600 for new international graduate students, and $51,000 for undergraduate students. Professional school students (Graduate School of Management, Law, and Vet Med) have different financial requirements.

F-1 and J-1 students are NOT eligible to pay California resident tuition. If you are in another immigration status it may be possible. For complete information on resident and non-resident tuition information, please visit the UC Davis Registrar's Office.

Yes. The SISS Orientation is required for new F-1 and J-1 students, including transfer and exchange students.

U.S. permanent residents, U.S. citizens who are living abroad and students on other U.S. visa types are welcome, but not required to attend. The orientation for fall is usually held in mid-September a couple of weeks before classes begin.

Yes. Transfer students must also attend the SISS Orientation. In addition, students transferring their F-1 or J-1 SEVIS document from another U.S. institution to UC Davis must also request a new I-20 or DS-2019 and complete the F-1 or J-1 transfer procedures at SISS.

Transfer students admitted for fall quarter are also urged to attend a summer orientation session. These summer orientation sessions are aimed at all new undergraduates coming to UC Davis and provide different information than the new international student orientation in September. Transfer students attending a summer orientation session should first consult their SISS advisor regarding travel and visa restrictions.

There are two meanings for the term "transfer student." For immigration purposes, you are considered a SEVIS transfer student because your SEVIS record is transferred to UC Davis from another US high school, community college or university. Another meaning refers to any undergraduate student coming to UC Davis from a community college. At SISS we usually mean any student, undergraduate or graduate, who has a SEVIS record transferred from another insitution.

You can begin your employment at Davis during the summer before you begin your program in the fall. UC Davis will need to issue your new I-20 before you begin your on-campus employment.

You should travel back into the U.S. with the new I-20 from UC Davis. Please make sure your current school releases your SEVIS record in a timely manner to issue you a new I-20 or DS-2019. Also, be sure to have the transfer information completed on the I-20/DS-2019 request.

No, SEVIS transfer students are not subject to the 30-day entry requirement. This applies to students beginning a new program in the U.S.

Yes, you can, if you are a J-1 or F-1 student. J-1 students must request on-campus work authorization from SISS PRIOR to starting employment. On-campus employment is a benefit of your status, but you cannot work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year. You may work up to 40 hours per week during the summer. Employment and off-campus work authorization will be discussed during the orientation.

Your spouse and children will be able to travel in with you and stay in the U.S. as your dependents. They will be issued a dependent I-20 (F students) or DS-2019 (J students) to travel into the U.S. on an F2 or J2 visa. For more information, please contact SISS.

Spouses in F-2 status cannot work under any circumstances. Spouses in J-2 status may work with USCIS permission. For more information, please contact SISS.

Your parents or guardians are welcome to attend any of the SISS orientation events.

All new students are required to report to the SISS office to complete immigration arrival procedures. During this time we will make copies of your immigration documents and record your local address. Please bring the following documents:

Passport with I-94 card
SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019
Local Davis Area address

Representatives of the local social security office will come to UC Davis during fall orientation to assist students with their application. Please check the SISS website for periodic updates on the orientation schedule. For more information on social security cards, please visit the U.S. Social Security Administration website.

You will need the following three documents in order to enter the U.S.:
1. A valid passport. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months at the time of entry.
2. SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 issued by UC Davis.
3. A valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport. Canadian citizens are not required to have a visa.
4. It is not necessary but we encourage you to carry your letter of admission and proof of funding.

All students need to complete the Statement of Legal Residence form and submit this to the Registrar's Office.

Each student or exchange visitor issued an initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 is responsible for paying the SEVIS I-901 fee. There are some exceptions to this fee. For complete information, visit the SEVIS fee website

SISS will charge a one-time fee to all international students studying at UC Davis in F-1 or J-1 student status. The fee helps to pay for administrative costs associated with orientation and advising services provided by SISS.

International Student Administrative Fee (for all new students except EAP): $159*

Education Abroad Program (EAP) students Orientation Fee: $95*

* Subject to change.

Fees will be charged the first term that the student is enrolled and paid at the time all other registration fees are due, and they help pay for the administrative costs of advising services for our F-1 and J-1 students.

Students coming to UC Davis as sponsored students, such as Fulbright students, are exempt from this fee.

You can visit other pages on the SISS website for more detailed information on your arrival and additional resources at Davis.