Arriving to the United States

Taxicab fare from the San Diego International Airport to USD should cost only about $30-40 (including a customary 10% tip). All taxis from the airport are registered and the driver must charge fare based on a standardized electronic meter. Though the driver will prefer cash, you may pay with any major credit card. Rideshare programs like Uber and Lyft are also popular options, and pick-up locations for ride-sharing services at the airport are well-marked.

If your flight arrives to LAX, there are a few transportation options when traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego. The most convenient option is to book a flight from LAX to SAN, although this can also be quite costly. Another more economical option is to arrange for a shuttle or other van service prior to your arrival. Finally, you may also take a train from Los Angeles Union Station (there is a bus that connects the LAX airport to Union Station) to the San Diego Old Town station, and then take a short taxi ride to campus. To review transportation options, please visit the LAX website.

New initial F-1 and J-1 students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 students). It is recommended that you try to arrive at least a week before your program start date in order to allow yourself time to adjust and settle before your program activities begin.

• F-1 students: Your program start date is listed in the PROGRAM OF STUDY section of your Form I-20. You will see a date listed as Earliest Admission Date and a date range listed as your Program Start/End Date. When planning your travel to the U.S., you must arrive on or after your Earliest Admission Date, but before your Program Start Date.
• J-1 students: Your program start date is listed in the Section 3. Form Covers Period section of your Form DS-2019. You will see both a From and To date in this section. These are the start and end dates of your program. When planning your travel to the U.S., you must arrive within the 30 days before your program start date (the From date).

If you transferred your SEVIS record from a previous institution to USD (SEVIS Transfer) or if you just completed your program at USD and received an updated Form I-20 for your new graduate program (Change of Educational Level), you may re-enter the U.S. with your new Form I-20 at any time between the end of your previous program of study, and the program start date of your new graduate program at USD. For this reason, you will notice that the Earliest Admission Date field on your Form I-20 is blank. What is most important is that you re-enter the U.S. using your new Form I-20 that has been issued for the graduate or doctoral program you will be starting at USD.

Please note that your new Form I-20 should not be used to enter and depart the U.S. multiple times between your two programs; once you re-enter the U.S., you must remain in the U.S. until your program start date arrives, and you have completed SEVIS check-in and received a travel signature on your Form I-20.

FAQ: Do I need a travel signature on my new Form I-20 in order to return to the U.S.?
No. Travel signatures are only required after you have initially reported to campus for your new program of study, completed SEVIS check-in, and then wish to depart and re-enter the U.S. while your program is in session. Even though you are continuing your F-1 status, you are considered to be re-entering the U.S. as a new student, in the sense that you are beginning a new program of study. Because of this, a travel signature is not required on your new Form I-20 for your initial re-entry to the U.S.

Please make sure to carry the following documents on your person when you travel, and keep them with you at all times. Do not carry these documents in your checked luggage, as you will need access to them as soon as you arrive to the U.S.

When you arrive at customs, be prepared to hand the following documents to the CBP officer:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
• Visa stamp (already in your passport)
• Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) issued by the University of San Diego for your graduate program

It is also recommended that you carry the following documentation with you. You do not need to hand these to the CBP officer when you first approach the customs booth, however it is good to have them available in case the CBP officer asks to see them:

• Proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee (SEVIS fee receipt)
• Your proof of funding / visitor certification of finances documentation, showing that you are financially capable of funding your living and studying in the U.S.

In some cases, students may be called into secondary inspection, which means that CBP would like to inspect your documentation in additional detail. Calls for secondary inspection are often done at random, so if you are called into secondary inspection, it does not necessarily indicate any problem with your specific situation.

If you are called into secondary inspection, be prepared for a lengthy process; secondary inspection can sometimes take a few hours.

Secondary inspection can feel intimidating and stressful, but remember that there may be no cause for alarm. Remain calm and polite as you speak with the CBP officials. Be prepared to answer questions about your Form I-20 (such as the date you need to report to campus, your program start date) and about your planned program of study at the University of San Diego.