J-1 Basics
This page is for Cornell administrators. J-1 faculty and staff: Please visit the J-1 section of our Visa Basics page for scholars to learn more about your visa type.
About the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
The J-1 exchange visitor visa is the most common visa category for academic staff at Cornell. It is relatively easy to process. This visa is for academic exchange. It may not be used for tenure-track positions.
Exchange visitors may be paid a salary or self-fund.
The J-1 exchange visa requires a minimum amount of financial support (net income) for individuals and J-2 dependents. Your J-1 exchange visitor's source of financial support could be a Cornell salary, personal or family funds, or a grant or scholarship. Learn about the requirements for J-1 Financial Support.
In general, foreign nationals earning any money in the United States must file a tax return, even if their earnings are below the minimum established annually by the IRS. Encourage your J-1 visitors to determine their tax status through Payroll and, if needed, Apply for an SSN.
J-1 work authorization is job-specific.
J-1 exchange visitors must work at Cornell University in the position described on their DS-2019 form. They are not permitted to receive compensation for a different Cornell job or from another employer. Accepting compensation without appropriate work authorization is a serious violation of legal status in the United States.
Occasional off-campus lecturing or consulting (measured in days, rather than weeks, months, or semesters) may be allowed if it contributes to the visitor's original purpose for coming to Cornell, but a letter of permission must be obtained from International Services before undertaking the work. Visit Employment Outside of Cornell to learn more.
J-1 work authorization is location-specific.
If a J-1 visitor needs to be at multiple worksites, these sites must be part of the visitor's original program objectives and listed in the initial J-1 request. In most cases, additional worksites can't be added after the J-1 program has begun.
As the J-1 program is an exchange program, U.S. Department of State requires J-1 scholars and student interns to be in person at their approved worksites at least 60 percent of the time (three of five workdays).
Exchange Visitor Categories
Learn more below about categories of J-1 exchange visitors and their unique requirements.
Professors and Researchers
Faculty and staff in this category may be paid a salary or self-fund. They must be engaged in teaching or research and must have an academic appointment or qualifying internship. Academic staff hired as professors and researchers are required to have a master’s degree or PhD and be well-established in their discipline.
Eligibility Restrictions
Two-Year Repeat Participation Bar
Professors or research scholars are required to have a gap of two years between the end of any previous professor/researcher exchange program and the beginning of a new professor/researcher exchange program. Visitors beginning new programs that will include repeat visits should have their programs extended for the full duration of their collaboration, up to the five-year maximum, even if portions of that time will be spent outside the United States.
If your visitor is not eligible for a new professor/researcher exchange program, consider a short-term scholar program.
12-Month Bar
An individual who has been in any category of exchange visitor—including as an exchange visitor dependent or J-1 student—for more than six of the 12 months immediately preceding the new program start date is ineligible for the professor/researcher category.
If your visitor is not eligible, consider a short-term scholar program.
Short-term Scholars
This category is only used for faculty and staff who will be at Cornell for less than six months or for visitors who are ineligible for the professor/researcher category.
Short-term scholars may receive payment for services and/or reimbursement for their expenses. They must be eligible for an academic appointment or be appointed as an intern (an advanced degree such as master’s or Ph.D. is required). Extensions beyond six months are not permitted.
J-1 Student Interns
The J-1 student intern program gives international students currently pursuing undergraduate degrees outside the United States the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their fields at Cornell in internships that may extend up to 12 months. Student interns are a special category of J-1 exchange visitors, and the usual J-1 visa requirements apply. Learn more about J-1 Student Interns.
Maximum Time Limits
J-1 exchange visitors are allowed to work at Cornell for a limited period of time. The maximum length depends on the job category:
- Professors and Researchers: Up to five years.
- Short-term Scholars: Up to six months. Extensions can be made within the six months, but the length of the entire visit cannot exceed six months. Most visitors will not be able to change to another immigration status from within the United States.
- Student Interns: Up to 12 months.
Duration of Status
Your exchange visitor's authorized stay is limited to the dates entered on their DS-2019 certificate of eligibility. Entry to the United States is permitted up to 30 days before and 30 days after the beginning date on the form.
Exchange visitors have a 30-day grace period after the end date of their DS-2019. During the 30-day periods before and after their J-1 program dates, the exchange visitor can remain in the United States but may not be paid for employment or perform any activities related to their J-1 program objectives. Visit Leaving Cornell for more information.
