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Cornell University

International Services

Office of Global Learning

Transfer Your J-1 Visa to Cornell

  • For Faculty/Staff

If you’re beginning an academic appointment at Cornell and you’re currently in J-1 status at a different U.S. institution, you will need to transfer your existing J-1 visa from your current institution to Cornell. The process involves your current international office, as well as the unit or department that is appointing you and International Services at Cornell.

Reach out to us to discuss the impacts of transferring your J-1 program if you’ve applied for a waiver of the two-year home country physical presence requirement. 

I’ve finished my time at Cornell. How do I transfer my J-1 visa out to a new sponsor?

If you have a new U.S.-based employer, you can file a request to transfer your J-1 visa sponsorship. Visit Transfer or Leave to find the leaving Cornell and transfer-out forms.

How to Transfer Your J-1 Visa

  1. Determine Date
  2. Complete Form
  3. Receive DS-2019
  4. Arrive

1 Determine your transfer date.

You and your Cornell hiring department work together to determine the date you will transfer your J-1 program to Cornell. The transfer date must be before your current J-1 program’s end date. Transfers are not possible during the 30-day grace period after the J-1 program end date.

2 Complete the J-1 transfer-in form.

Your hiring department at Cornell initiates a J-1 request in our myStatus portal. Once the department portion is submitted, you’ll receive an email inviting you to complete your portion of the request. If your current institution requires Cornell to complete any transfer-out forms, you can upload the forms as part of your myStatus request. 

International Services will notify you and your hiring department if Cornell is able to accept your J-1 transfer. In most cases, you will not have to pay the SEVIS fee again if you have already paid it. 

3 Receive your updated DS-2019.

Once the SEVIS record is released and your records are complete at Cornell, we will send you your new form DS-2019 showing visa sponsorship by Cornell. 

We can’t create your Cornell DS-2019 until your transfer date. You will receive information about how to access your DS-2019 once we’ve created it.

4 Arrive at Cornell.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus! After you arrive at Cornell, be sure to complete your mandatory status activation with International Services as soon as possible.

Learn more about the Finger Lakes region and how to travel to Ithaca.

Can I travel internationally before I start my new job?

We strongly recommend against traveling internationally during the J-1 transfer process. If you have urgent travel needs, contact us.

Do I need a new entry visa after my transfer to Cornell?

If the J-1 visa stamp in your passport is valid and unexpired, you don’t need to apply for a new visa. You may continue to use it until it expires, even though it shows the name of your previous institution. 

If your visa has already expired and you’re traveling outside of the United States, you will need to apply for a new entry visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Find out how to apply for reentry.

Can I work remotely after my transfer to Cornell? 

All J-1 exchange visitors are expected to work in person at a Cornell worksite at least 60 percent of the time (three out of five workdays per week). If you need to work remotely, contact us to discuss other visa options.

Next Up: Travel to Ithaca