F-1 Students
If you are unable to provide necessary supporting visa documentation by June 1 (Fall students) or November 1 (Spring students), your I-20 will not be ready in time and you will need to request deferred admission to the following semester. If you are transferring your I-20 and SEVIS record to USD, you should submit supporting visa documentation no later than 1 month before your current F-1 program or OPT period ends.
Visa and Financial Documentation Information for F-1 Students
The University of San Diego School of Law is pleased to welcome attorneys, judges, and government officials from around the world to our LLM programs. We also welcome international professionals who are joining the MS in Legal Studies program.
International students should plan to enter the United States on a valid F-1 student visa and must maintain their visa status at all times. F-1 visa applicants are processed through the Student Exchange and Visitor Information (SEVIS) system, which is a web-based program that maintains information on international students (F/M visas) and exchange visitors (J visas), and their dependents. SEVIS helps U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to quickly verify that students presenting themselves at our ports of entry are actual students and exchange visitors.
Note: Please do NOT use a tourist visa to enter the United States to study. You will not be able to enroll in classes with a tourist visa, and will have to return to your country to apply for a student visa.
Maintaining F-1 Status
It is extremely important for a student on an F-1 visa to maintain their status while in the U.S. Failure to maintain status is a ground for removal from the U.S. under INA Section 237(a)(1)(C)(i).
The Office of International Students and Scholars will provide you with guidance and information regarding how to maintain your F-1 student status. In particular, please note the following requirements:
- Do not engage in unauthorized work
- Enroll in a full course of study (9 or more units per semester) and make normal progress toward your LLM degree
- Maintain a valid passport at all times, unless exempt from passport requirements
- Check in with the Office of International Students and Scholars before traveling outside of the United States
- Do not leave the United States for a period longer than five consecutive months
- Inform the Office of International Students and Scholars of any changes in address within 10 days of your move
- Apply for an extension of your program if you cannot complete your degree by the ending date listed on your Form I-20
- Note that a conviction (or even an arrest) for DUI may result in automatic revocation of your visa
After you are admitted to an LLM or MS in Legal Studies program at the University of San Diego School of Law, please follow these steps to obtain an F-1 student visa:
- Contact Graduate and International Programs for information on how to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20)
- Receive an original, signed Form I-20
- Complete online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)
- Pay your visa application fee (also called MRV fee)
- Pay your SEVIS fee
- Use the SEVIS number on Form I-20 to make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country
- Bring the following documents to your visa appointment: passport, Form I-20, proof of SEVIS fee payment, confirmation page of Form DS-160, financial documents, one 2x2 passport-style photograph, and all other supporting documents required by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate
- Receive an F-1 student visa from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The following eForms and documents must be completed and/or uploaded to USD's "iTorero" portal in order to receive Form I-20. You will receive instructions on how to use the iTorero portal.
- eForm - Student Information
- eForm - Proof of Funding
- eForm - Mailing Address/Shipping Information
- eForm - SEVIS Dependents (only if bringing dependents)
- Copy of your passport (and passports of all dependents who will accompany you) that is valid for at least six months after your program start date
- Documentation of your ability to cover the estimated cost of attendance for one year. Contact Graduate and International Programs to verify the precise amount.
Please provide financial certification based on the estimated cost of attendance for one year. If you will be accompanied by dependents, you must also demonstrate your ability cover their expenses. All financial documents must be issued by the financial institution or sponsor not more than six months before your program start date. The following types of documents may be used:
- Official documentation of scholarships and fellowships
- Documentation of personal funds on bank statement or official bank letter
- Documentation of support from an employer on the employer's official letterhead
- If someone else (such as a spouse, parent, or friend) will support your education, you must submit a Certification of Finances that is accompanied by documentation of funds on bank letterhead
Please note that the University will not issue Form I-20 without appropriate documentation.
- You may apply for your visa up to 120 days prior to your program start date
- Visa processing times vary among U.S. Embassies/Consulates and some offices experience lengthy delays in visa processing
- We encourage you to apply for your student visa as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for processing
- You may not enter the United States with your F-1 visa more than 30 days prior to the start date of your program
More information about the F-1 student visa is available from the Office of International Students and Scholars.
- You may contact the Office of International Students and Scholars via email at internationaloffice@sandiego.edu, or by phone at (619) 260-4598 for additional information
- You may also email Graduate and International Programs or call (619) 260-7584
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
The University of San Diego School of Law is pleased to welcome Exchange Students, U.S. Law & Policy Program scholars, and Visiting Professors from around the world. Exchange visitors should enter the United States on a valid J-1 exchange visitor visa.
J-1 visa applicants are processed through the Student Exchange and Visitor Information (SEVIS) system, which is a web-based program that maintains information on international students (F/M visas), exchange visitors (J visas), and their dependents. SEVIS helps U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to quickly verify that students presenting themselves at our ports of entry are actual students and exchange visitors.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Process
Students and scholars who visit the University of San Diego School of Law as an Exchange Student, U.S. Law & Policy Program Scholar, or Visiting Professor need to request Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status) to obtain the J-1 visa.
In order to receive Form DS-2019, you must submit required biographic information to the Designated School Official. The Designated School Official will create your portal profile and send you login credentials to access the iTorero portal.
The iTorero portal is where you will upload required information and documentation about yourself and any dependents (if applicable). You will be requested to provide items such as a copy of your passport, detailed biographic information, financial documents that show sufficient funds to cover the cost of your program, and your intentions regarding health insurance (choosing the USD plan or providing proof of your own health insurance plan). Once you have completed the necessary steps in iTorero, the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) will process your DS-2019. After OISS issues your DS-2019, it will be emailed securely to you along with further information and instructions.
If you are visiting the University of San Diego School of Law through an approved agreement, please follow these steps to obtain a J-1 exchange visitor visa:
- Provide the required biographic information to the Designated School Official
- After receiving iTorero instructions from the Designated School Official, complete the required steps in iTorero
- Receive an original, signed DS-2019 from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
- Pay the SEVIS fee online (J-1 applicants only; J-2 dependents do not pay SEVIS fee)
- Apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa for yourself and your dependents, if applicable, by completing the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)
- Pay your visa application fee (also called MRV fee)
- Schedule a visa appointment with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate and bring the following documents with you to the appointment:
- Form DS-2019
- Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Proof of Nonimmigrant Visa Application (MRV) fee payment
- Proof of SEVIS fee payment
- One (1) 2x2 passport-style photograph
- A passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S.
- Any other supporting documents required by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate
- Receive a J-1 exchange visitor visa from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate
- Once you obtain a Form DS-2019, you may apply for your visa up to 120 days prior to your program start date
- Visa processing times vary among U.S. Consulate Offices, and some offices experience frequent delays in visa processing
- We encourage you to apply for your exchange visitor visa as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for processing
- You may not enter the United States with your J-1 visa more than 30 days prior to the start date of your program
More information about the J-1 student visa is available from the Office of International Students and Scholars.
- You may contact the Office of International Students and Scholars via email at internationaloffice@sandiego.edu, or by phone at (619) 260-4598 for additional information.
- You may also contact Graduate and International Programs at (619) 260-7584.