Financial Verification for I-20 and DS-2019 Issuance

• Estimated Cost of Attendance

  Financial Verification is required to issue an initial attendance I-20 or DS-2019 for the sole purpose of obtaining an F or J visa.  Students need to show documentation indicating that they have the appropriate amount of financial support.  These estimated amounts of required financial verification are estimates only and are subject to change without notice.  The verification amounts are listed on the I-20/DS-2019 request form that you will be directed to when you commit to UCR.

• Sponsorship Types

  Personal (self) - bank letter/statement in your name that shows funding in liquid accounts, such as savings, checking, or short-term deposits. Non-liquid funding such as stocks, bonds, and insurance policies are not acceptable.
  Family/ Individual - bank letter/statement in another person’s name that shows funding in liquid accounts, such as savings, checking, or short-term deposits. Non-liquid funding such as stocks, bonds, and insurance policies are not acceptable.
  UCR Scholarship or Fellowship - Funding received from UCR. Submit the letter which shows the funding table or award amount. Funding for the first academic year (9 months) will be counted for F1 students.
  External Sponsor (Government, Agency, Employer, etc.) - Support letter on company letterhead that details the financial support provided and the specific living stipend amount, if applicable. Must state the period of funding and recipient name.

• Financial Bank Document Requirements

  The Bank Statement/ Letter should consist of the following:
  1. Must be liquid assets (checking account, savings account, short term deposit)
  2. Recently issued (dated), preferably within the last 3 months
  3. Official document which includes account type, bank name and branch (no screenshots)
  4. Translated to English
  5. Includes account holder’s name
  6. States the actual amount of money available [not average balance] and currency type

  If you have any questions related to acceptable sponsor types or financial documentation, please contact our office at 951-827-4113 or internationalstudents@ucr.edu. If you have questions relating to school funding, such as scholarships or fellowships, please contact the graduate program that you are applying to or the undergraduate admissions office.

Checklist for Admission

• Graduate Students Admission

  Visit graduate.ucr.edu/accepting-your-offer for more information on preparing for your arrival and submitting required admission documents.

  Please send all required documents, test scores, and transcripts directly to the Graduate Admissions office:

  UC Riverside Graduate Admissions
  900 University Ave
  University Office Building Room 116
  Riverside, CA 92521
  Phone:1-951-827-3313
  grdadmis@ucr.edu
  graduate.ucr.edu/admissions

   

• Undergraduate Students Admission

  Regularly check your status at my.ucr.edu to make sure you have submitted all required documents.

  Please send all required documents, test scores, and transcripts directly to the Undergraduate Admissions office:

  UC Riverside Undergraduate Admissions
  900 University Ave.
  3106 Student Services Building
  Riverside, CA 92521-0119
  Phone: (951) 827-3411
  internationalinfo@ucr.edu
  admissions.ucr.edu/international

• Pre-arrival Checklist
  • Submit your SIR to hold your spot at UCR
  • Apply for I-20 / DS-2019
  • Apply for an F1 or J1 visa
  • Confirm housing arrangements and apply for on-campus housing (if desired): housing.ucr.edu/ucr-housing-options
  • Complete health screening and immunization requirements: studenthealth.ucr.edu/immunization-requirements
  • Register for Orientation 
  • Submit all test scores, transcripts, and other admission documents to the Admissions office

   

Register for International Student Orientation

• How to Join International Student Orientation

  Welcome to UCR!

  To help you adjust to life at the university and in the U.S., we have put some introductory material together. We will cover all of the information you need to get settled at UCR over the course of several workshops on campus.

  Going through these resources and instructions together in person gives you an opportunity to not only get to know us, but also other international students and scholars who will be going through the same journey as you.

  ---

  Please join us for our next orientation in September and please follow the steps below:

  1. Register for Orientation through the registration link that was emailed to you. Once registration opens, all new incoming students will receive the email to register.
  2. Attend Orientation.
     *Bring a pen or pencil and paper, your UCR student identification number, and a jacket or sweater!

   

• What to expect from International Student Orientation

  Welcome to UCR! At our International Student Orientation, you will learn about:

  • UCR services and student organizations
  • Maintaining your immigration status
  • Health and safety procedures
  • General class registration procedures
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Your fellow international students and our International Student Orientation Leaders

Entering the U.S. & Travel Documents

• Travel to the U.S.

  When entering the United States, be prepared to show the following documents:

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months at time of entry to U.S.)
  • F-1 or J-1 Visa (Canadian Nationals are Exempt)
  • Valid Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1)
  • Receipt of SEVIS fee payment (I-901)
  • UCR Admission Letter (recommended)
  • Financial Support Documentation (recommend)

  Remember: If you have an initial attendance I-20 or DS-2019, you cannot enter the United States more than 30 days prior to your program start date, which is listed on the I-20 as the “earliest admission date.“ You will not be allowed to enter the U.S. in F-1 of J-1 status if you arrive earlier.

  If you hold a “transfer pending” I-20 document, you may return to the United States at anytime between your programs without a travel signature. The “earliest admission date” field on your I-20 is blank. Once your program starts, you will need an updated I-20 and travel signature for international travel.

  Do not enter the US using a B-1/B-2 (tourist) visa, or tourist visa waiver. You are not allowed to study if on a tourist visa and doing so may have immigration implications.

   

• I-94

  After you enter the United States, go online to verify and print your I-94. Check that your personal information is accurate and that it states the correct visa type. Please print it and keep a copy with your immigration documents. If you enter through a land border, make sure to ask the CBP officer for an I-94 card. After each international re-entry, please make sure to check and print your new I-94 record. If any information on your I-94 is incorrect, please contact Deferred Inspection immediately to have your record corrected. Depending on your case, you may be required to report in person or submit documentation by email. The closest deferred inspection site is in Los Angeles:

  300 N. Los Angeles St., Room 2067
  Los Angeles, CA 90012
  Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday

  Phone: (213) 830-5972
  Email: I94LAX@CBP.DHS.GOV