Changes to our Office Entrance:
Our main entrance (KL-101) is no longer located in the KL interior hallway. Our new entrance is now the KL-101 external door, located immediately next to the CARE Office and near Social Justice Plaza:
International Students and Scholars (ISS) is within the Office of International Affairs (OIA) located in the Kolligian Library, Room 101.
Summer 2025 semester Office Hours are below:
Monday–Thursday
• Open: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Closed for lunch: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
• Open: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Fridays: Main Office Closed (Kassity & Becky on campus — available by appointment only).
ISS staff are on a hybrid work schedule; on-campus three days per week and remote two days. You can reach an advisor by email or cell phone as noted below:
Kassity Veloz, International Student Visa Specialist (F-1/F-2/J-1/J-2 Students)
Email: kveloz@ucmerced.edu
Phone: (209) 413-5929
Walk-in Hours: Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
(On-campus Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays)
Rico Johnson, International Scholar Visa Specialist (J-1/J-2 Scholars):
Email: rjohnson26@ucmerced.edu
Phone: (209) 355-1018
(On-campus Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays)
Becky Mirza, Associate Director for International Students and Scholars (H, O, E-3, TN, Permanent Residency):
Email: bmirza@ucmerced.edu
Phone: (209) 355-0913
(On-campus Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays)
6/12/2023 - Premium Processing for Applicants Seeking to Change to F, M or J Nonimmigrant Status
12/9/2020 - DHS Fraud Advisory – Scammers Using SEVP Phone Numbers to Target International Students
5/29/2020 - Presidential Proclamation - Suspension of Entry of Certain Students and Researchers
