Understanding Your Student Visa Options
At UC Merced, most international students study in the U.S. on either an F-1 student visa or a J-1 exchange visitor visa. While both allow you to pursue your academic goals here, there are important differences in eligibility, funding, and employment opportunities.
This page will help you understand those differences so you can determine which visa type applies to you and what requirements to expect.
| 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 |
