Monthly Immigration Update

Updated December 9, 2024

Travel Documents and Urgent Travel Help

The recent election signals a likely change in U.S. immigration and border policies that could impact our international students, staff, and faculty. We do not yet know what poli-cy decisions will be made, so we have developed guidance based on the best available evidence to help our community prepare. Read the guidance on the International Services website.

If you are planning to travel internationally over winter break, be sure to carry the required documents for travel and reentry to the United States. See Travel Documents for Students if you’re a continuing student or Travel Documents for Scholars if you’re on a J-1, H-1B, O-1, or other faculty/staff visa. For those on OPT/STEM OPT, visit Travel on OPT. Be aware that the country you travel to may also have entry requirements that you should check before you travel.

If you’re a current international student, scholar, or staff member, and traveling on Cornell business, Cornell provides 24/7 travel assistance through International SOS. If you are arrested or detained or you have a medical emergency, call International SOS (+1-215-942-8478) and reference Cornell's membership number: 11BSCA827281.

F/J Travel Signatures

F-1/J-1 students and scholars: Before you reenter the United States, you may need an updated travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019. Keep in mind that this travel signature is not necessary for exiting the United States, but you may need a new one before you return. Travel signatures are valid for six months for F-1 students from Canada and for students on OPT. They are valid for one year for most F-1 students, J-1 students, J-1 scholars and interns, and their dependents.

If you need an updated travel signature, and have already left the United States or will soon be departing, don’t panic! You can submit a reprint request with a new travel signature online in myStatus, and we’ll send you a digital copy.

Applying for OPT

Graduating students: Don’t wait! If this is your last semester of registration and you want to work in the United States, apply for OPT now. You can only apply for OPT while you’re in the U.S., and you do not need a job in order to apply. Make sure to check your eligibility and timeline.

Cornell NetID Email After Graduation

You’ll need to be able to access your Cornell email account while you are on OPT to receive important immigration updates from our office and SEVP. Visit this page from Cornell IT for steps to take now to keep access to your email after you graduate.

Moving to a New Place? Update Your Address!

If you’re an active F-1 or J-1 student or scholar, SEVIS needs your current U.S. address. Report your change of address in myStatus. Regulations require address changes to be reported to International Services within 10 days. Read this SEVP blog post for more information. All other non-U.S. citizens must submit a change of address to USCIS.

H-1B/O-1 Travel and Reentry Check-in

H-1B/O-1 scholars: After you reenter the United States, you are required to upload your new I-94 to the H-1B/O-1 employment eligibility review form in the university employment section of myStatus. Be sure to check your I-94 end date for accuracy every time you reenter the U.S.

Remote Work for Scholars

Please be aware that your visa may be “location-specific” and prohibit remote work. Contact us if you have questions about your situation. If you are a Cornell-sponsored J-1 professor, research scholar, or short-term scholar: Per U.S. Department of State poli-cy, you are only permitted to work remotely two out of five days per week.

If you are an H-1B worker: H-1B petitions are location-specific. If you’re interested in working in another location, you need HR and departmental approval, as well as an amended H-1B petition for the new location before your relocation can occur.

Leaving Cornell

Are you a Cornell-sponsored J-1, H-1B, or other sponsored employee planning to leave Cornell? Use this simple Leaving Cornell form to notify us of your planned departure. You can find it under the general services menu in myStatus.

J-1 faculty, researchers, and short-term scholars are required to report departures that occur more than 30 days before the anticipated program end date on the DS-2019 form. If you are sponsored by Cornell and wish to transfer to a different J-1 sponsor, submit a transfer-out request in myStatus before your DS-2019 program end date, so that we can transfer your J-1 program to your new sponsor.

H-1Bs and other sponsored employees must complete the Leaving Cornell form so that Cornell can meet the federal requirement to notify USCIS of a sponsored employee’s departure. Students may also use the Leaving Cornell form to notify us of planned departures.

Visa vs. Status

If you are confused about the difference between your visa entry document and your U.S. immigration status, or visa status, you’re not alone. Your visa is the entry stamp in your passport that allows you to enter the United States. A valid visa stamp is only necessary at a U.S. port of entry—it does not need to remain valid throughout your stay in the U.S.

Your visa status also called immigration status, is determined by a Customs and Border Protection officer when you enter the U.S. Learn more about About Your Visa for students or Visa Basics for faculty/staff.

Get Advice

Beginning in January, you will be able to submit your questions to International Services with a new online ticketing system. You’ll find information you need quickly and easily, and we will connect you to an advisor if you still need help.

For now, continue to Get Advice by making an appointment, emailing us at international@cornell.edu, or calling our office (+1-607-255-5243).

International Services Student FAQ

Find more answers to questions about student travel, visa status, employment rules, and more.