Congratulations on your admission to UCSB! Welcome to the International Gaucho family! We at OISS are so excited to welcome you and meet you!! 

What To Do Next...

Now that you’ve been admitted, be sure to follow UCEAP’s requirements to attend UCSB. Once you activate your UCSB email (link with instructions below), you will be able to log into UCSBGlobal to request your immigration documents. UCSBGlobal is a platform used by OISS to collect mandatory information and documents.

Throughout your time at UCSB, be sure to always open any emails from OISS. Your UCSB email is the primary way OISS communicates any important immigration instructions, announcements, and updates.

What do I need to do before I arrive at UCSB?

I need to...

  1. Activate my UCSB email (put 0000 for last four digits of SSN)
  2. Check my UCSB email inbox for my OISS welcome email 
  3. Enroll in a health insurance plan that meets the requirements
  4. Request my DS-2019 through UCSBGlobal (log in using your UCSB NetID and password)
  5. Pay my I-901 SEVIS Fee
  6. Apply for my J-1 Student Visa
  7. Complete CALI Training

Step 1: Activate my UCSB email 

Activate my UCSB email (put 0000 for last four digits of SSN)

Step 2: Check my UCSB email inbox 

Check my UCSB email inbox for any emails from OISS or UCSB for information as it pertains to my student status.

Always be sure to open any emails from OISS. Your UCSB email is the primary way OISS communicates any important immigration instructions, announcements, and updates.

Step 3: Enroll in a health insurance plan that meets the requirements

The U.S. Department of State requires all J Exchange Visitors to have insurance coverage that covers sickness and accidents, repatriation of remains and medical evacuation, for the entire duration in the U.S. This is a mandatory requirement for all J-1 Exchange Visitors AND their J-2 Dependent family members.

Medical care in the United States is extremely expensive. A minor surgery with a brief hospital stay can end up costing more than $100,000, and you may be responsible for paying any amount beyond your insurance coverage. It is important that you carefully review your and your family’s medical needs before purchasing an insurance plan. We highly recommend that you consider enrolling in an insurance plan that provides comprehensive coverage offering more than the minimum required amounts.

Students may enroll in UCSB's Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). If students do not wish to enroll in UC SHIP, then they may enroll in an alternative insurance that meets the following minimum amounts of coverage:

  • Medical Benefits: Minimum $100,000 per accident or illness
  • Deductible: cannot exceed $500 per accident or illness per occurrence
  • Coinsurance (“Copayment"): cannot exceed 25%
  • Medical evacuation: minimum $50,000
  • Repatriation: minimum $25,000
  • Pre-existing Conditions: Must not exclude pre-existing conditions, but may include a waiting period of up to 12 months
  • Insurance provider must be at least A- rated or backed by the full faith and credit of the Exchange Visitor's government.

Choosing an insurance plan that will meet both the above minimum requirements as well as your and your family’s needs is your responsibility. It is also important that you purchase a plan before you arrive in the U.S., as your coverage will need to be effective upon your arrival.

Some companies that offer adequate coverage (although not specifically endorsed by OISS) are:

International Medical Group (IMG)
http://www.imglobal.com/

ISO Insurance
https://www.isoa.org/

HCC Medical Insurance Services Group
http://www.hccmis.com/atlas-travel-insurance/index.html

BETINS Insurance (For J-1 Scholars Needing Supplemental Insurance for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains)
https://www.betins.com/Products/Evacuation/Evacuation.aspx

IMPORTANT: Failure to maintain the minimum required amount of health insurance coverage will result in the termination of your SEVIS record.If your record is terminated, you and your J-2 dependents must return to your home country immediately. Terminated SEVIS records are ineligible for reinstatement, extension of stay, change of category, or any other Exchange Visitor benefits.

Step 4: Request my DS-2019 through UCSBGlobal

UCSBGlobal is a platform that international students will use to upload and enter required documents and information, as well as submit any requests to OISS. 

UCSBGlobal is also where you'll upload and enter required documents and information so that OISS can issue your DS-2019. Financial requirements for EAP can be found here

Follow the instructions below to request your DS-2019. There is a 15 business day processing time once all required documents and information have been approved by OISS. If you do not upload all required documents and information at the same time, it will take longer than 15 business days for you to receive your DS-2019!

Your DS-2019 will be emailed to you when it's ready. 

  1. Log into UCSBGlobal using your UCSB Net ID and password as a current student. You do not need to request that an account be created for you. If you have just activated your UCSB email, it may take up to one week before you can log into UCSBGlobal. If it has been more than one week since you have activated your UCSB email, please contact oiss@sa.ucsb.edu
  2. Click on the EAP DS-2019 request (not the J Student DS-2019 request) and submit all of the following e-forms:
    • EAP DS-2019 Request
    • EAP Financial Information
    • Emergency Contact Information
    • EAP J-1 Regulations Acknowledgement
    • Purchase Shipping Label (optional)
  3. Upload the required documents as prompted:
  4. If you plan to bring a spouse or child(ren) to the U.S., answer "yes" to the corresponding question. You will then be prompted to submit a "Dependent Information" e-form. Please submit one e-form for each dependent.

Step 5: Pay for my I-901 SEVIS Fee

Upon receiving your DS-2019, review it for accuracy and immediately pay the SEVIS fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html.

You will be required to enter your SEVIS ID number, which is found at the top of your DS-2019, and the UC Santa Barbara program number, which is P-1-03332.

Note that you will NOT be issued a visa by the Consulate or Embassy if you have not paid the SEVIS fee. Not paying your SEVIS fee is a violation of your student status.

Step 6: Apply for my J-1 student visa