If you are currently in the United States and your immigration goals or academic plans are shifting, you may need to change your U.S. immigration status.
This could mean:
- Changing to F-1 or J-1 student status to begin or continue full-time study at UC Merced, or
- Changing from your current F-1 or J-1 student status to another status (such as H-1B, TPS, or Permanent Residency) after your program ends.
Changing to F-1 or J-1 Student Status
If you're currently in the U.S. under a different visa type (such as B-1/B-2, H-4, TPS, etc.) and you’ve been admitted to a degree program at UC Merced, below you will find more information on how to change to student status.
Changing to F-1 Status
Changing to J-1 Student Status
The following are additional considerations when determining the appropriate visa classification for your program of study at UC Merced:
| F-1 Status | J-1 Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Program of Study |
|
|
| Certificate of Eligibility (used to enter U.S.) |
Form I-20 |
Form DS-2019 |
| Typically Use | Most international students. | Exchange students, Fulbright grantees, or those with third-party sponsorship |
| Funding Requirements | Can be funded by self, family, sponsor, department or scholarship. | Must be funded primarily (50% or more) by a third-party source (university, home government, external sponsor). |
| Work Authorization (On-Campus) | No additional authorization required. Allowed up to 20 hours/week during the semester. |
Additional authorization required. Allowed up to 20 hours/week during the semester |
| Off-Campus Work Options | Curricular Practical Training (CPT) & Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Academic Training (AT) |
| Health Insurance |
Required for all UC Merced students. |
Required for all UC Merced students. Required for both J-1 visitors and their dependents to maintain status |
| Dependents (F-2/J-2) |
F-2 Spouse:
F-2 Child:
|
J-2 Spouse:
J-2 Chlid:
|
| 212(e) Two-Year Home Residency Requirement | Not applicable. |
J-1 student and J-2 dependent(s) may be subject depending on the following:
If subject to the 212(e) home residency requirement, you are required to return to your country of nationality or last legal residence for two years upon completion of J-1 program. |
| Transfer to Other U.S. Institutions |
Allowed as long as F-1 status is valid |
Allowed as long as J-1 status is valid and to complete original objective for which student was admitted as an exchange visitor remains in the same J-1 category |
| Change to J-1 Visa Category (other than Student) |
Allowed as long as F-1 status is valid |
Often not allowed due to 24-Month and 12-Month Bars restricting repeat J-1 participation, check with your international student advisor for details. |
| Change to other Visa Category |
Allowed as long as F-1 status is valid |
Allowed as long as J-1 status is valid and student is not subject to 212(e) requirement If subject to 212(e), must obtain waiver before changing to H or L nonimmigrant visa |
Changing from F-1 or J-1 Student Status
If you are an F-1 or J-1 student completing your program or post-completion work (like OPT or Academic Training), you may be considering a change to another immigration category (H-1B, J-1 Scholar, Permanent Residency, ect.) Please note that this process is outside the scope of advising services provided by our office. We encourage you to consult directly with an immigration attorney or your prospective employer’s legal team for guidance.
That said, we are happy to support you in properly ending your F-1 or J-1 student status at UC Merced. To do this, we ask that you:
- Notify your international student advisor once your new status has been approved
- Submit a copy of your Form I-797 Approval Notice (or other official documentation confirming your new status) to your International Student Advisor as soon as possible
Providing this documentation helps us update your SEVIS record appropriately and ensures your immigration record remains accurate and compliant.
If you have questions about how to wrap up your F-1 or J-1 status, including timelines, grace periods, or travel considerations, we’re here to help.
