iSTART @UCLA

iSTART @UCLA is assigned and available to you via MyBruin International Portal

What is the Mandatory iSTART @UCLA:

ISTART @UCLA is a two-part virtual on-boarding process that includes the following steps: (A) The iSTART Orientation and (B) The Post-Arrival Status Check-In.

This is a mandatory requirement for ALL F-1 and J-1 Students at UCLA, and it is divided in two parts:

(A) iSTART Online Orientation has been created to help you get familiar with important visa regulations, academic integrity, Los Angeles and UCLA campus life. It is mandatory that you complete all sections of the orientation. Each section contains a video and a quiz. You must get a completion certificate in the conclusion of the iSTART Orientation. This should be completed by no later than the second week of your first term at UCLA (refer to UCLA Annual Calendar)

Note: This is separate from the UCLA orientation for First-Year Students, Transfer Students and Graduate Students.

(B) Mandatory Post-Arrival Status Check-In is designed to verify your visa status, documentation, and validate your arrival. This requirement must be completed from upon your arrival in the U.S. with F-1/J-1 status and no later than the second week from the program start date listed on your UCLA I-20/DS-2019.

The Dashew Center will email students directly with instructions on how to complete iSTART @UCLA steps via MyBruin International Portal.

Need assistance?
If you have questions about iSTART Online Orientation please email intlprograms@saonet.ucla.edu (processing times apply)

iSTART Orientation is a mandatory requirement to:

• All newly admitted​​ degree seeking and registered students only who received an I-20 or DS-2019 from UCLA.
• Continuing UCLA students who previously studied under a different visa category are also required to complete iSTART, (the Orientation Fee will be waived in this case).

Exceptions (who is not required to complete iSTART Orientation):

• Fulbright students do not need to complete iSTART.
• Returning/Readmit UCLA F-1 degree seeking students are not required to complete iSTART again.
• Continuing UCLA F-1 students with a change of education level I-20.
• Specific tailored UCLA Programs
• If you are a Visiting Graduate Researcher, scholar or faculty member, you are not required to complete iSTART. You will complete jPATH instead.
• U.S. citizens are not required to complete iSTART.