In order for you to receive your Form I-20, F-1 Certificate of Eligibility, you must submit immigration and financial documentation in iTorero, the University of San Diego's immigration portal.
It is your responsibility to notify the Office of Graduate Admission that you have completed your iTorero requirements. Once you have successfully completed all of your iTorero requirements, please email the Office of Graduate Admission at grads@sandiego.edu. Once you have emailed notification that you have completed your iTorero requirements, the Office of Graduate Admission will review your documentation, and if sufficient, will issue your Form I-20. Processing of the Form I-20 takes 5-7 business days from the time the Office of Graduate Admission confirms that your Form I-20 eligibility requirements* have been successfully met.
*Please note that the Office of Graduate Admission cannot release your Form I-20 if official documents are missing from your admission file. Please check your official offer of admission email to see whether you are still required to turn in any official admission documents.
Spring 2026
iTorero opens on October 10, 2025 for Spring 2026 students to begin submitting their Form I-20 requirements.
November 3, 2025
is the deadline for Spring 2026 students to complete their Form I-20 requirements.
Fall 2026
iTorero opens on January 12, 2026 for Fall 2026 students to begin submitting their Form I-20 requirements.
May 18, 2026
is the deadline for Fall 2026 students to complete their Form I-20 requirements.
Accessing iTorero to Submit Your Form I-20 Requirements
You will log into iTorero using your USDOne username and password (the same login credentials you use to access the MySanDiego portal and your USD student email). To access iTorero:
- Visit itorero.sandiego.edu/ and click on the blue "Login" button to log in with your USDOne credentials.
- You will be taken to the Services Home page. On this page, click on the in-progress Request titled "Graduate Immigration Verification/Pre-Arrival..."
- On the next page, expand the Step 1 option. You must complete the Step 1 e-forms in order to receive your Form I-20. Please read through the Step 1 e-form instructions below before you start submitting them, so that you know what will be required of you.
Important: Do not attempt to submit documentation in iTorero prior to the date that iTorero opens for the semester you will be starting your program (see dates listed above for when iTorero opens for each semester). If you submit documents prior to when iTorero becomes available for your intended start term, you will need to re-submit your documentation after iTorero has opened for your start semester.
Passport Information
You will upload a color scan of your passport and confirm your citizenship information. Your passport must show an expiration date that is 6 months or more into the future beyond the start of your graduate program.
Verification of Immigration Status
You will provide information on your current immigration status, as well as details on any dependents you may be bringing with you while you attend your program. If you are bringing any dependents, their passports must show an expiration date that is 6 months or more into the future beyond the start of your graduate program.
If you have an active Form I-20 from an institution other than the University of San Diego, you will need to select “Yes” in the corresponding question on this form so that we can transfer your SEVIS record to the University of San Diego once your other program of study has finished. Once you submit this form, an email will be sent to your current institution requesting that they provide the University of San Diego with information regarding the transfer of your SEVIS record.
Lastly, the Office of Graduate Admission will need to verify your home address. Please indicate your home country address in this eform. Once your Form I-20 has been issued, the Office of Graduate Admission will only email your Form I-20 through a secure portal to your designated USD email address. Your Form I-20 will not be mailed.
Proof of Funding
You will provide financial documentation to prove that you have the funding available to cover the first year of estimated expenses for your program. Review the estimated cost of attendance for your program so that you know the minimum amount that you will need to prove.
In order to prove your funding source, you will need to upload copies of the appropriate "acceptable documents," according to the type(s) of funds you plan to use. Please keep in mind that all documents submitted must be in English or submitted along with a certified official English translation, and must be dated within the past 3 months:
- Personal Funds: If you plan to pay for your program using your own money, you must submit a bank statement, bank letter or similar financial statement (issued within the last three months) detailing current liquid assets (savings account or checking account) available for use during your first year of study. The bank statement or letter must be in your name.
- Scholarship(s) from the University, Government, or Other Organization: If you plan to pay for your program using a scholarship you have received from USD, a government entity, or other organization (such as your employer or an outside scholarship sponsor), you must submit the relevant contract or correspondence detailing the funding or scholarship.
- Outside Sponsor: If a relative, friend, or other individual will be paying for your program, you must submit their bank statement, bank letter or similar financial statement (issued within the last three months) detailing current liquid assets (savings account or checking account) available for use during your first year of study. The bank statement or letter must be in the name of your sponsor. Your sponsor must also provide you with a hand-signed Affidavit of Support stating that they will use the funds shown in their bank account to support you in your studies. You must upload both their bank statement, and their Affidavit of Support, via the Proof of Funding form.
Note: Investments, retirement accounts, credit, loan eligibility, real estate and other non-cash assets cannot be used toward the Proof of Funding requirement.
Orientation Information and I-20 Form Request
You will review and acknowledge by electronic signature the orientation information for your first semester, as well as confirm the submission of all necessary documents and forms required by the Office of Graduate Admission through iTorero, understanding that any document not meeting the minimum required standard may result in the non-issuance of Form I-20.
Have questions? Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at grads@sandiego.edu with any questions you may have about the Form I-20 process.