Student Visa Comparison

F-1 Student Visa

Visa applicants are required to show they have sufficient funding to cover the estimated tuition, fees, and cost of living expenses for the first year of their program.

J-1 Exchange Visitor

Visa applicants must show they will be funded for the entire length of their academic program at UCSF and that they have evidence of funding that meets any of the criteria below:

1. The student's funding for their UCSF academic program will come directly from the U.S. or the student's home government.
2. The student's funding for their UCSF academic program is provided by an agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government.
3. The student is participating in their UCSF academic program based on a written agreement between UCSF and a foreign academic institution, UCSF and a foreign government, or a US state and a foreign government.
4. The student is receiving substantial funding (at least 51%) from a source other than personal or family, such as their UCSF academic program.

For the current list of program fees and tuition, please see the UCSF Registrar's Fees page. An estimate of the cost of living expenses for one year can be found on the UCSF Student Financial Aid page.

F-1 Student Visa

F-1 student visa holders are not subject to any sort of home residency requirement. Once the academic program is completed, there is no obligation for the student to return to their home country. 

J-1 Exchange Visitor

J-1 Exchange Visitors may be subject to a two-year home residency requirement. Whether or not they are subject to their requirement depends on the nature of their funding and the Department of State Skills List. For additional information on the two-year home residency requirement, please review our page on this topic.

F-1 Student Visa

On Campus Employment

F-1 visa holders may work on campus at UCSF (or UC Berkeley if the student is in a joint program) while active students. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and more than 20 hours per week while classes are not in session. No specific work authorization is needed to work on campus, once the F-1 visa status is active.

Off-Campus Training

While studying, F-1 visa holders may work off-campus in very specific situations using Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Upon completing their coursework, F-1 students may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

J-1 Exchange Visitor

On Campus Employment

Similar to F-1 visa holders, J-1 visa holders may work on campus while they are active students. However, J-1 visa holders must obtain written permission from the ISSO before they may begin any on-campus employment at UCSF.

Off-Campus Training

Upon meeting certain criteria, J-1 student visa holders may use Academic Training to engage in employment off-campus while they are actively enrolled in classes. The length of Academic Training is limited to the amount of time that has been spent in J-1 student visa status. The maximum amount of time that can be used for Academic Training depends on the student's level of education and field of study.

F-1 Student Visa

F-1 visa holders may request an F-2 I-20 for their immediate dependents (spouse and any children). Additional funding is required if dependents will accompany the F-1 visa holder. F-2 dependents are not permitted to work inside the US and may only study part-time while in F-2 visa status.

J-1 Exchange Visitor

J-1 visa holders may request a J-2 DS-2019 for their immediate dependents (spouse and any children). Additional funding is required if dependents will accompany the J-1 visa holder. J-2 visa holders may study full-time inside the US. J-2 visa holders may also request authorization to work inside the US while the J-1 visa status is active.