Operations

Welcome to OISS!  

We currently offer full in-person and some virtual offerings based on advisor availability.  Our office is fully back open to the public for services. 

Please find the section below that best applies to you to find out how to best contact a team member. Additionally, visit our People Directory to find individual OISS staff contact information. Operational information is listed below. 

Standard Hours of Operation: 

Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

We are closed on weekends and UCSB Administrative Holidays

We are located on the third floor of the Student Resource Building (SRB). 

I'm an international student:

How do I submit a request?

Log onto our UCSBGlobal platform using your UCSB Net ID and password and locate the e-form that matches the nature of your request. A request is something that you need to have approved by an OISS advisor. Click here to view a list of common international student requests corresponding with e-form names, the associated policy, and processing time.  Once you submit the e-form, you'll receive an email notification letting your know that your request has been submitted. When your request is approved by OISS, you'll receive another email notification, with further instructions as needed. Reach out to oiss@sa.ucsb.edu if you have any questions or cannot find an appropriate e-form. 

How do I request an advising appointment?

If you would like to meet with an advisor, you have two options: 

1. Visit our virtual front desk drop-ins for quick, general questions.

2. Schedule an individual appointment with an advisor for more personal, in-depth questions.

Visit the Student Advising Page

I'm a new international student. How do I get started?

New student? Welcome! Information on planning your first quarter at UCSB. Start preparing today with CALI Training, a virtual orientation for international students which includes information on your visa and immigration, as well as important tips about academic expectations in the United States. We also encourage you to attend or watch recordings of our pre-arrival video chats, where OISS advisors deliver pertinent information and answer questions from students.

If you have general questions about becoming a UCSB student, including qualifying, transfer credit, or the admissions process, please visit this page for help.

I'm an international scholar:

How do I submit a request?

Log onto our UCSBGlobal platform using your UCSB Net ID and password and locate the e-form that matches the nature of your request. (A request is something that you need to have approved by an OISS advisor.) Once you submit the e-form, you'll receive an email notification letting your know that your request has been submitted. When your request is approved by OISS, you'll receive another email notification, with further instructions as needed. Reach out to j1scholar@sa.ucsb.edu if you have any questions or cannot find an appropriate e-form. 

How do I schedule an appointment?

All international scholar requests, including appointment requests, can be directed to the J-1 Scholar advising team at j1scholar@sa.ucsb.edu.

I'm an employment-based international Gaucho:

For individuals and UCSB departments requesting support for long-term, employment-based visas, please contact LongTermVisa@sa.ucsb.edu.

Events, Marketing & Outreach

I have a question about programming, events, or CALI training:

Contact our international programs coordinator at oissprograms@sa.ucsb.edu.

I have a question about OISS Marketing + Communications:

Contact Ashley Rifkin at ashleyrifkin@ucsb.edu

I want to get more involved on campus and connect with other international Gauchos:

We highly recommend that you visit Shoreline, UCSB's engagement platform where you can view campus organizations and sign up to attend events. All OISS events can be viewed on our Shoreline events page

I want to follow OISS on social media so I never miss an update again!

OISS manages several social media accounts. Click on the respective links below to be taken to the social media account so that you can follow:

Helping an International Student in Distress: 

The Student Mental Health Coordination Services (SMHCS) office is the single point of contact for the campus community to report concerns about a student in distress or a student distressing others. You can view reporting details on their website here. We appreciate you connecting the student with a mental health professional. After a student of concern has been connected with mental health resources, OISS can offer immigration support if needed or applicable.