Skip to main content

Cornell University

International Services

Office of Global Learning

Travel Documents for Scholars

  • For Faculty/Staff

When you travel as a Cornell faculty or staff member, you’ll need to carry various documents to prove your immigration status and allow reentry if you leave the United States.  

If you’re leaving the United States and you need a new visa stamp, find out what you need to do. If you have further questions, reach out to us.

J-1 Documents 

  • Valid passport
  • Valid entry visa stamp (Canadians excepted)  
  • Valid DS-2019 showing J-1 status, signed for travel by an International Services advisor within the last year. (A travel signature is valid for 12 months or until the DS-2019 end date, whichever is earlier.)
  • Letter from your Cornell host department/unit confirming continued employment 

J-1 Dependent (J-2) Documents  

The spouse or children of an J-1 scholar traveling with the scholar need the following documents to reenter the United States in J-2 status: 

  • Valid passport  
  • Valid J-2 entry visa stamp
  • Valid DS-2019 showing J-2 status, with a valid travel signature. A travel signature is valid for 12 months or until the DS-2019 end date, whichever is earlier.
  • Proof of financial support 

If the J-2 dependents of an J-1 scholar are traveling without the scholar, they need all the above documents, plus the following copies of the J-1 scholar's documents: 

H-1B/O-1 Documents  

  • Passport valid beyond the end date on your I-797 approval notice
    • If your passport is not valid beyond this date, you may be issued a shortened I-94 when you enter the U.S. Please contact us if your I-94 is shortened
  • Valid entry visa stamp (Canadians excepted)  
  • Letter from your Cornell host department/unit confirming continued employment
  • I-797 approval notice for your current position
    • If you would like the original approval notice, submit a request in myStatus (University Employment > Original I-797 Approval Notice Request)
  • Form I-129 (Copy available in myStatus by clicking the "Documents" icon in the top right)

H-1B/O-1 Dependent (H-4/O-3) Documents

The spouse or children of an H-1B/O-1 scholar traveling with the scholar need the following documents to reenter the United States in dependent status:

  • Passport valid beyond H-1B/O-1 end date
  • Valid H-4/O-3 entry visa stamp (Canadians excepted)
  • Proof of relationship with H-1B/O-1 visa holder (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate)
  • If you filed an I-539 application: Form I-797, H-4 Approval Notice from USCIS

If traveling without the scholar H-1B/O-1 scholar, they need all the above documents, plus the following copies of the H-1B/O-1 scholar's documents:

  • H-1B/O-1 visa entry stamp (Canadians excepted)
  • Most recent I-94 arrival record as proof of H-1B/O-1 status
  • I-797 approval notice for H-1B/O-1 status

E-3 Documents

  • Passport valid beyond the end date on your ETA-9035
    • If your passport is not valid beyond this date, you may be issued a shortened I-94 when you enter the U.S. Please contact us if your I-94 is shortened.
  • Valid entry visa stamp  
  • Letter from your Cornell host department/unit confirming continued employment
  • ETA-9035/LCA

E-3 Dependent Documents

The spouse or children of an E-3 scholar traveling with the scholar need the following documents to reenter the United States in dependent status: 

  • Passport valid beyond E-3 end date
  • Valid E-3 dependent entry visa stamp
  • Proof of relationship with E-3 scholar (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate)
  • If you filed an I-539 application: Form I-797, E-3 Approval Notice from USCIS

If traveling without the E-3 scholar, the need all the above documents, plus the following copies of the E-3 scholar's documents: 

  • E-3 scholar visa entry stamp
  • Most recent I-94 arrival record as proof of E-3 status
  • ETA-9035/LCA

TN Documents

  • Passport valid beyond the requested TN end date
  • If your passport is not valid beyond this date, you may be issued a shortened I-94 when you enter the U.S. Please contact us if your I-94 is shortened.
  • Employer letter that was used in obtaining the most recent TN status
  • Letter from your Cornell host department/unit confirming continued employment
  • Your original diploma or degree certificate
  • Mexican citizens only: Valid TN entry visa stamp

TN Dependent (TD) Documents

The spouse or children of a TN scholar traveling with the scholar need the following documents to reenter the United States in dependent status:

  • Passport valid beyond TN end date
  • Valid TD dependent entry visa stamp (Canadians excepted)
  • Proof of relationship with TD scholar (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate)
  • If you filed an I-539 application: Form I-797, TD Approval Notice from USCIS

If traveling without the TN scholar, they need all the above documents, plus the following copies of the TN scholar's documents:

  • TN scholar visa entry stamp (Canadians excepted)
  • Most recent I-94 arrival record as proof of TN status

Check Your I-94 When You Return

Make sure to check your I-94 for accuracy when you return to the United States. 

H-1B and O-1 employees: Once you're back in the U.S., upload a copy of your I-94 in myStatus. (Select "University Employment" and then "H-1B/O-1 Employment Eligibility Review.")

Next Up: J-1 Travel Signatures