International Graduate Students

Maintaining your legal status in the United States is crucial. As an F-1 or J-1 student/scholar, you are responsible for understanding and complying with all immigration regulations.

• Newly admitted students can find a detailed pre-arrival checklist, orientation requirements, and essential forms at the “Newly Admitted Students” page. 

• To determine whether an F-1 or J-1 visa fits your situation best, visit the “Which Visa Type Is Right for You” section, where you can compare eligibility criteria, work permissions, and application steps. 

• For important immigration policy changes, campus announcements, and special events, check the OISS News feed. 

• Consult the Student Request Guide & Timelines page for instructions on filling out requests. Requests can range from anywhere between asking for a travel signature, to obtaining approval to reduce your course load, to requesting authorization to work.

• Periodically check with your department’s Graduate Program Assistant regarding degree progress and course requirements. International graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 8 units per quarter, and some departments may require registration for more than 8 units. Visit the OISS Current Students site for more information based on your Visa type. 

OISS Advising: OISS has a team of student advisors who will serve as your primary resource for immigration support.

Traveling To UCSB

The closest airport to UCSB is the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), which is a ~10 minute drive from campus. Other nearby airports include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is a 1.5-2 hour drive, or 100 miles (160km). Transportation options from the airport to UCSB include:

• Santa Barbara Airbus: Offers shuttle service from LAX to Santa Barbara.
• Taxis and Ride-Sharing Services: Available at both SBA and LAX.
• Public Transportation: Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) provides bus service throughout Santa Barbara.

• If you do decide to drive a car, make sure you apply for a license in California. Visit OISS Driving in the US for more information. 

Visit OISS's Arrival Page for more information. 

Traveling Outside the US

Remember to bring your I-20 or DS-2019 to OISS for travel validation at least 5 business days before you leave the United States. Each travel signature is valid for for 1 year, travel signatures while on OPT are valid for 6 months. See the OISS site for Travel Outside the US for more information about travel outside the United States, and OISS Student Requests to request travel signatures.

International students can work on-campus up to 50% appointment time (not above 20 hours per week) during academic quarters, and full-time (100%) during the summer. To be eligible for off-campus employment, you must have been enrolled as an F-1 student for a minimum of one academic year (9 months). Refer to the websites for students on F-1 and J-1 visas for the most up-to-date information. 

Work & Career Planning

UCSB’s Career Services offers workshops on CV writing, internship search strategies, and guidance on applying for OPT and CPT. They also organize employer panels and networking events. The International Graduate Student Career Guide, available here, provides an overview of career planning resources and important timelines.

Interstride is a platform that helps international students find jobs and internships that match their work authorization and visa type, access historical records of H-1B sponsorship by prospective employers, and explore career opportunities in over 160 countries worldwide

TA‑ing

International students interested in teaching can review eligibility criteria, work‑authorization requirements, and the TA orientation schedule on the Office of Teaching & Learning website. The English for Multilingual Students TA Info page and the Testing page provide details on English language testing for non-native English speakers who wish to be TAs. EMS also hosts dissertation bootcamps, facilitates peer‑review groups, and offers courses for international graduate students for whom English is not their first language. The Graduate Division also offers writing support.

Additionally, new TA orientation sessions—covering teaching strategies and classroom resources—are offered through the OTL new‑TA program.

We've created a new tax resource page just for you! You'll find lots of information on:

• GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP)

• How to determine your tax residency status

• What forms you'll need

• Frequently Asked Questions

• And more!

As an international student, if you earn income from any source between January 1 and December 31 of a given calendar year, remember to file both Federal and State income tax returns on time.

Tax information for International Graduate Students

UCSB Alert System: UC Santa Barbara's Alert Notification System enables the campus to send emergency messages to our students, faculty, and staff. Learn more about the system and register here.

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS): (805) 893-2929, oiss@sa.ucsb.edu

Student Health: (805) 893-3361

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS): (805) 893-4411

• Emergencies vs. Non-Emergencies
  Life-threatening (fire, medical, crime in progress): Dial 9-1-1 immediately.
  Non-emergency police matters: Call UCSB Police at 805-893-3446 or email info@police.ucsb.edu. 

• Campus Safety Escorts:
  Free 24/7 walking or driving escorts by Campus Safety Officers.
  Request via 805-893-2000 or any red emergency phone on campus.

• General Campus Updates
  Toll-free information line: (888) 488-8272
  Tune to 91.9 KCSB-FM for road closures, weather alerts, and major incidents.

• Health & Wellness Resources: CAPS counseling, wellness workshops, and crisis support.
• CAPS: Individual counseling, support groups, and 24/7 hotline.
• Basic Needs Center: Food pantry, emergency grants, and housing referrals.
• Graduate Parent Resources: Childcare options, parenting support groups, and family housing.
• This document lists markets offering South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American ingredients. 
• OISS Campus Resources