Employment Outside of Cornell
If you are a Cornell employee with a Cornell-sponsored visa status that allows you to conduct research or teach, you are allowed to pursue additional employment only in very limited situations. It is very important to follow the employment rules for your visa type. Find out more below.
J-1
As a J-1 exchange visitor, you can only work at Cornell University in the position named on your DS-2019 form. Substantial off-campus employment is not allowed.
Any off-campus work must be approved by International Services. The activity must be related to the objectives of your J-1 exchange visitor program and may not delay its completion. You will need a letter of permission from us before you begin.
How can I obtain a letter of permission?
To request approval for an occasional lecturing or consulting opportunity, please complete our off-campus payment reimbursement form. Allow up to five business days for us to review and process your request. If approved, you will receive an email with our approval letter attached.
Can I pursue a long-term consulting opportunity?
No. You can only accept compensation for preapproved occasional lectures or consultations. Pursuing other entrepreneurial or long-term employment without work authorization is a serious violation of your legal status in the United States.
H-1B and E-3
H-1B and E-3 statuses are employer-, location-, and duty-specific. This means you may work only for Cornell doing the job duties specified in your H-1B or E-3 application.
Honoraria and Fees
Your H-1 B or E-3 status does not allow you to accept honoraria and consultation fees paid by another employer. You may be reimbursed for expenses for talks and presentations at other institutions, but no other payment or compensation for services may be accepted.
Concurrent Employment
If you have H-1B or E-3 status, you may have more than one employer—but only if each employer files an H-1B or E-3 petition on your behalf that outlines the job and duties you will performing at each place of employment.
Please email International Services if you have an H-1B or E-3 elsewhere, and the other H-1B or E-3 is concurrent with your employment at Cornell.
O-1
O-1 status is employer- and employment-specific. This means you may work only for Cornell and only in the job duties specified when your O-1 petition was approved.
Honoraria and Fees
Your O-1 status with Cornell does not allow you to accept honoraria and consultation fees paid by another employer. You may be reimbursed for expenses for talks and presentations at other institutions, but no other payment or compensation for service may be accepted.
Concurrent Employment
O-1s may have more than one employer only if each employer files its own O-1 petition specific to the job and duties the O-1 will have at that place of employment.
TN
TN status is employer- and employment-specific. This means you may work only for Cornell and only in the job duties specified when you entered the country (Canadians) or when your I-129 petition was approved. Read more about TN change in employment.
Honoraria and Fees
Your TN status with Cornell does not allow you to accept honoraria and consultation fees paid by another employer. You may be reimbursed for expenses for talks and presentations at other institutions, but no other payment or compensation for service may be accepted.
Concurrent Employment
TNs may have more than one employer—but only if the concurrent employment is noted on the I-94 record of entry (Canadian citizens) or if each employer files an I-129 TN petition on your behalf outlining the job and duties you will have at each place of employment (Mexican citizens).
