University of California, San Diego H-1B Sponsorship Guide (2026)
UCSD is a top biomedical and engineering research university with deep ties to San Diego's biotech corridor and major cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship activity.
Top Departments Sponsoring H-1B
Top Affiliated H-1B Employers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UC San Diego sponsor H-1B?
Yes. UCSD sponsors H-1B for faculty, research scientists, and postdoctoral fellows. As a UC system institution, UCSD is cap-exempt. The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) manages petitions.
What is the prevailing wage for H-1B at UCSD?
UCSD's median LCA wage is approximately $93,000. San Diego wages are slightly below San Francisco/LA for comparable roles. Bioengineering and CS faculty command $135,000-$200,000. Postdocs file at Level I-II ($65,000-$85,000).
Does Scripps Research Institute (adjacent to UCSD) sponsor H-1B?
Yes. Scripps Research Institute is an independent nonprofit that separately sponsors H-1B for researchers. Scripps is its own cap-exempt H-1B entity — not under UCSD's EIN.
Is San Diego a good market for H-1B after UCSD research?
Yes. San Diego has one of the highest concentrations of biotech and life sciences H-1B employers in the US. Illumina, Pfizer La Jolla, Qualcomm, and hundreds of biotech startups actively sponsor H-1B.