If you’d like to stay in your position at Cornell beyond your current status end date, your hiring unit needs to start the extension process.
Be sure to allow enough time! Check the date on your I-94 card (H-1B, E-3, O-1, TN) or DS-2019 (J-1) to determine your current status end date.
If you are sponsored by an institution other than Cornell, please contact your sponsor to discuss an extension.
J-1
Work with a human resources representative in your college, school, or department to file the appropriate request form. Find out more about the process.
J-1 exchange visitors have a 30-day grace period to travel within the United States or apply for a change of status. To continue your Cornell employment, a DS-2019 extension must be completed before your current program end date.
H-1B
Applications for H-1B extensions have the same application requirements as new H-1B petitions.
Cornell will be able to employ you for 240 days while your extension case is pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), upon receipt of the I-797 receipt notice. You are allowed to travel while your case is pending if your current H-1B approval and visa are valid when you reenter the United States.
If your Cornell employment ends early, you may be unemployed for up to 60 consecutive days or until your authorized validity period ends, whichever is shorter. This 60-day period is at the discretion of USCIS officers and is not guaranteed. The 10-day rule allows you to remain in the U.S. up to 10 days after your authorized period, so that you can arrange to depart or change your status.
O-1
Extensions may be for no more than one year at a time, but there is no limit to the number of possible one-year extensions. Each O-1 requires a reassessment of your extraordinary contribution to your academic field. Find out more.
If your Cornell employment ends early, you may be
unemployed for up to 60 consecutive days or until your authorized validity period ends, whichever is shorter. The 10-day rule allows you to remain in the United States up to 10 days after your authorized period, so that you can arrange to depart or change your status.
TN
We recommend leaving the United States and making a new entry, rather than attempting to extend your stay from within the country.
E-3
An E-3 visa may be renewed in increments of two years. There is no grace period for E-3 employees, so you’ll be expected to leave the United States on your last day of employment. If you plan to apply for an extension, you’ll need to work closely with your hiring department or unit and the Office of Global Learning. Find out more.
If your Cornell employment ends early, you may be unemployed for up to 60 consecutive days or until your authorized validity period ends, whichever is shorter. The 10-day rule allows you to remain in the U.S. up to 10 days after your authorized period, so that you can arrange to depart or change your status.
B-1/B-2
You can apply to extend your status for up to six additional months. To apply for an extension, complete an I-539 form, and submit it according to the instructions.
The Office of Global Learning does not offer assistance with this process. Visitors on WB/WT visa waivers are not eligible to extend. Find out more.
If I extend my status, do I also need to renew my visa?
The visa stamp in your passport does not need to remain valid for you to maintain your status. In many cases, it is possible to extend your current status within the United States beyond the expiration of your visa.
In fact, the visa expiration date is relevant for only one thing: entering or reentering the U.S. If your visa expires, you will need to apply for a new one to reenter the U.S. in the same status.
