An international Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Merced can be sponosred by three different visa types. An F-1 student visa using approved post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), a J-1 exchange visitor visa or an H-1B visa. No matter which visa a Postdoctoral Scholar holds, the employment authorization is like a contract. There are Department of Homeland Security and UC Merced regulations/policies the Postodoctoral Scholar must adhere to in order to maintain their visa status.
UC Merced sponsored F visa holders on post-completion OPT must adhere to the reporting guidance as outlined on our OPT web page and/or STEM OPT web page.
UC Merced sponsored J visa holders must adhere to guidance as outlined on our J visa web page.
UC Merced sponosred H-1B visa holders must adhere to the guidance as signed on the attestation upon receiving the original approval notice as well as the guidance on our H-1B web page.
Further information for Postdoctoral Scholars can be found on the Graduate Division's Web Page for Postdocs.