Preparing for UC San Diego

UCEAP Reciprocity and Visa & Immigration Information

International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO)
Student Center B (on the corner of Gilman Drive and Mandeville Lane)
Contact ISEO
International Student Resources
Reciprocity Student Resources

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Reminders

• Housing is not guaranteed.
• A campus housing rental agreement lasts through the end of the academic year (June). If you leave your housing before the end of the agreement, you may be subject to a cancellation fee. Rental agreements in the community may last through August 31, and may not allow for cancellation.  Check all terms and conditions before making a commitment.
• If you apply for more than one housing option, accept only one. You will be financially responsible for all agreements you accept.

International House (UC Housing)

Graduates/Undergraduates

Explore I-House
Contact I-House

Application Period for UCEAP reciprocity students:

• Fall: TBD (June)
• Winter: TBD (November)

You will receive application instructions by email.

Application Requirements: Student must have an active UCSD PID. Respond using your UCSD email.

Notes: Admission to I-House is competitive and based on your willingness to be an active member of the I-House community. Give yourself adequate time to fill out the application completely. It will be reviewed and is an important part of the I-House selection process. 

Unfortunately, some qualified applicants may not be admitted due to space limitations. Research community housing options to be prepared if you do not receive an I-House assignment

Residence Halls and University Apartments (UC Housing)

Undergraduate Students

Housing Waitlist (Fall - Opens July 8, 2025; Winter - Opens November 4, 2025)
Contact the Housing Waitlist

Add your name to the waitlist if you do not receive an I-House assignment. 

Community Housing (Non-UC Housing)

Graduate/Undergraduate Students

Off Campus Housing Office

Explore Off-Campus Options 

ISEO Housing Resources

UCSD ID/PID is required to search listings

Dates

We strongly urge you to purchase airline tickets AFTER you have obtained your visa and confirmed travel conditions to the US from your home country. When you do purchase a ticket, purchase a refundable/changeable ticket.

When should I arrive?

No later than

• Fall: September 24, 2025
• Winter: TBD

No earlier than

• Fall: August 23, 2025
• Winter: December 3, 2025

Arrive no more than 30 days prior to the start date printed on your visa certificate of eligibility (DS-2019). Students who do not have pre-arranged housing are advised to arrive as early as possible.

Start Date on Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019)

• Fall: September 22, 2025
• Winter: January 2, 2026

Orientation Programs

International Student Orientation for UCEAP reciprocity students

Fall

• iTriton mandatory orientation (virtual): Available June 1, 2025. Complete no later than September 1, 2025.
• International Orientation Sessions (virtual): TBD (September)
• International Welcome Programming (in-person): TBD (September)

Winter

• iTriton mandatory orientation (virtual): TBD (November)
• International Orientation Session (virtual): TBD (January)

International Student Visa Check-In

Deadline: Within 10 days of your program start date
Complete the visa check-in.

Vector Undergraduate Student Training

If not completed, your UCSD account will be subject to a "hold" which will prevent you from enrolling in courses.

• Fall Deadline: TBD (July)
• Winter Deadline: TBD (December)

Move-In Dates

I-Housing move-in: Check your UCSD email or contract for move-in date.

I-House early arrival: Contact ERC Residential Life office. You will be charged a daily rate for early arrival.

Temporary Accommodations (Non-UC)

• Temporary housing options (from the International Services and Engagement Office)
• Solana Beach Host Families

Ground Transport to Campus

• Transportation (from the International Services and Engagement Office)
• Campus map

Enrollment Resources

• Department links
• Class schedule
• Course catalog
• Course Pages
• Enrollment
• WebReg tutorial
• Enrollment calendar
• Information on prerequisite for upper-division standing

Multi-factor authentication keeps your information safe.

Academic Advising

• Enrollment steps
• College academic advising (You will be assigned to one of the colleges for administrative advising- add/drop petitions, withdrawals.)
• Department advisor contact information  (Contact departments for academic advice and questions about enrollment.)
  • Biological Sciences
  • Economics

Registering for Classes

Preauthorization System for access to courses with prerequisites

• If the class in which you wish to enroll has prerequisites or restrictions, submit your preauthorization request via the EASy (Enrollment Authorization System).
• In your request, include a description of your home university course equivalent to the listed prerequisite.
• Upload PDF documentation supporting your enrollment in the selected course.
• Submit the request.
• You will receive an email notification once the department has made a decision. In some cases, you may be required to supply additional documents such as course syllabi or transcripts.
• If your request is approved, visit WebReg to enroll.

Enrolling in Classes

Fall 

• View your appointment in WebReg: May 20, 2025
• All times are California time. Check for the corresponding time in your location.
• Pass 1: May 26, 2025
• Pass 2: June 3, 2025 

Winter

• View your appointment in WebReg: TBD (November)
• All times are California time. Check for the corresponding time in your location.
• Pass 1: TBD (November)
• Pass 2: TBD (November)

View your appointment times in TritonLink. All times are California time.

Graduate Students

Graduate students usually register after consultation with the department’s graduate advisor. Check with your host department for registration advising.

Student Account

Check your account regularly to pay your fees and avoid late fees.  

Your E-Bill: UCSD sends an E-Bill notice to your UCSD-issued e-mail address when your bill is ready to be viewed and paid. You are responsible for checking your student account regularly and paying any fees that apply.

Paying Fees

Fees

• UCSA (UC Student Association) fee: $7; this fee is not mandatory, and you may opt-out (choose to not participate) before the deadline.
  • Opt-out deadline: by the second week of the term
    • Fall: $3
    • Winter: $2
    • Spring: $2
• Health Insurance Fees: Fees will be billed to your account each quarter. See Health Insurance information.

2025-2026 costs and information are not yet available. 2024-2025 costs and information are listed below. 

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

You will automatically be enrolled in your host university health insurance plan. No action is required.

Insurance information

• Undergraduates: $898 each quarter
• Graduates: $1881 each quarter

Payment Deadline

• Fall: September 20, 2024
• Winter: December 20, 2024
• Spring: March 21, 2025

Effective Dates:

• Fall: September 23, 2024 - January 1, 2025
• Winter: January 2, 2025 - March 25, 2025
• Spring**: March 26, 2025 - September 21, 2025

**If you are a registered student during spring quarter or semester, your spring SHIP fee provides coverage through the end of summer.

Immunizations and TB Screening

COVID-19

Health requirements and recommendations

• Fall deadline: July 10, 2024
• Winter deadline:
  • TB Risk Screening Questionnaire: November 14, 2024
  • Immunization Requirements: November 14, 2024

Waiving SHIP

To waive SHIP, you must apply for waiver by submitting documentation of comparable health insurance. Waiver must be approved by your host UC.

• Waiver information (Waiver requests are submitted through TritonLink)
• Waiver criteria
• Glossary of insurance terms

Waiver Deadlines

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