Ahead of U.S. Arrival
Schedule a mandatory consultation for permanent teaching hires.
A mandatory immigration consultation is required for all international citizens accepting permanent teaching positions. The department is responsible for scheduling the consultation with International Services, department representatives, and the incoming scholar (with spouse or partner, if desired). Please contact us as soon as your department's offer has been accepted to set up the meeting.
J-1: Inform us of delayed arrival.
The DS-2019 International Services issues to incoming J-1 scholars lists a specific J-1 program start date that matches the appointment start date. Your new employee may arrive in the United States up to 30 days before the intended start date. Review Invite or Extend J-1 Visitors for more about the DS-2019 and arrival process.
You must inform us if your employee's travel plans change so that the U.S. arrival date falls after the J-1 program start date. Go to myStatus to submit a J-1 program amendment with the new program dates. We will issue an updated DS-2019 reflecting the revised dates.
Applicants in some countries have experienced significant visa delays. Reach out to us if your incoming scholar is delayed in administrative processing to review potential security issues. We can facilitate a connection with congressional liaisons after 180 days.
J-1: Notify us if arrival is canceled.
If your prospective employee never entered the U.S. in J-1 status and/or is no longer coming to Cornell in J-1 status, submit a J-1 scholar/intern cancellation request in myStatus so that we can close out the J-1 record. You should cancel the J-1 program if your employee arrived at Cornell, but is in a different visa status like B-1/B-2.
Upon U.S. Arrival
Remind new scholars to activate their status.
All newly arrived J-1s, H-1Bs, and O-1s are required to complete the mandatory status activation. This is a vital step in the arrival process. J-1 scholars may lose their valid immigration status if they don’t complete the status activation within 30 days of their program start date. International Services will email the department representative and employee/visitor to confirm work authorization dates. We'll also email when J-1 status activation is approved.
Contact us if you have questions about the activation process or need support—and we ask for your help in reminding your incoming scholars. Please also encourage them to subscribe to International-Scholars-L, our email list for international faculty and staff with employment-based petitions or DS-2019 at Cornell.
To Support Current Employees
J-1: Report "serious incidents" immediately.
International Services is required by law to report any "serious incident or controversy" involving a J-1 exchange visitor within one business day of learning about the incident. Please help us comply with this federal requirement. If you hear of any serious incident involving a J-1 exchange visitor in your unit, contact us immediately.
J-1: Report financial support changes.
The J-1 exchange visa requires verified financial support. Submit a J-1 financial amendment in myStatus documenting any changes in your J-1 visitor's funding amount and/or sources as soon as possible, and International Services will issue an updated DS-2019.
Notify us when there are any employment changes.
Employees with Cornell-sponsored visa statuses that allow them to conduct research or teach have strict rules surrounding any change in employment at Cornell, since most visa types are employer-, location-, and duty-specific.
Contact International Services immediately about any proposed changes in the terms and conditions of the scholar's employment, including changes in salary, job location, title, and job duties or responsibilities. Changes may require us to file amended paperwork with the federal government.
Check in if your employee is considering work outside Cornell.
Employees with Cornell-sponsored visa statuses that allow them to conduct research or teach have strict limitations on employment outside of Cornell. The rules depend on the visa type. Please direct employees to contact us if they want to request approval for off-campus work or have questions about particular activities.
Work with us when an employee plans to stay longer at Cornell.
If a scholar’s appointment is extended, you must notify us before the current visa document expires. We recommend submitting extension requests as soon as possible.
Rules for extension of status vary by visa type. Learn how to extend J-1 visitors, or visit Employment Visas for for other visa types.
Notify us when an employee becomes a permanent resident.
When a scholar becomes a permanent resident, you or the employee should upload images of the green card's front and back in myStatus. International Services will reverify the employee's I-9 and update Workday and our internal records.
Report when an employee is leaving Cornell.
A Leaving Cornell form should be submitted in myStatus when an international scholar's time at Cornell is coming to an end—whether the person is taking a job with another U.S. employer or leaving the United States entirely. Learn about procedures to follow when your employee is leaving Cornell.
Contact us first if you need legal counsel outside of Cornell.
Remember that departments and units do not have authority to engage external legal counsel on behalf of Cornell University. All employment-based immigration petitions and applications filed by Cornell must be processed through International Services. If you require the assistance of outside counsel, please contact us first to discuss your need.
When You Have Questions
Our team is here to help you and your department navigate the visa sponsorship process and offer guidance throughout your international employee's time at Cornell. Please begin with International Services for all immigration-related questions.
We encourage you to subscribe to International-Partners-L, our email list for Cornell staff who want to receive immigration updates sent to international scholars and students. If you're responsible for submitting visa requests in myStatus, reach out to us for access to additional support and resources, including training sessions and regular meetings with our advising team.
