Information for J1 Academic Staff
Welcome to Cornell!
Once you have arrived at Cornell, you must come to the International Students and Scholars Office with your immigration documents so that we can complete the records necessary for your stay at Cornell. We will ask you to complete a brief registration form and provide us with a signed Statement of Compliance regarding the health insurance requirement. We are located in B50 Caldwell Hall.
Bring the following documents with you when you CHECK IN at the ISSO:
- passport
- I-94 Form (small white card which will be stapled
into your passport when you enter the United States) - DS-2019 Form.
Important Regulations of J1 Status:
Off-Campus Employment, Consulting, Lecturing:
Exchange Visitors (J-1 visa holders) are limited by government regulations to employment in their sponsoring department at Cornell. Occasional off-campus lecturing or consulting may be allowed if it contributes to the visitor's original objectives in coming to the US. An authorization letter must be obtained from the ISSO before such work can be undertaken. Substantial off-campus employment is not allowed, nor is employment on campus in fields outside your area of specialization. To request approval for an "occasional lecturing or consulting opportunity, you will need to provide the ISSO with:
- A copy of the invitation that includes location, date, title of event or lecture and
- A statement from your supervisor, or department chair, that they support the activity and that is in accordance with the overall purpose of your visit here in the U.S.
On-Going Obligations of J1 Visitors:
- Commencement of Program: New J-1 scholars will need to check in at the ISSO with their immigration documents within 30-days of the start date on your DS-2019 form.
- Address Changes: You and your dependent family members must report changes of address to the ISSO within 10-days of making the change. This time-frame is a legal requirement, and is not arbitrarily selected by the ISSO. The address reported should be an actual physical adress, not a department address. If mail cannot be received at your residence, a mailing address (P.O. Box) may be used, but the ISSO is required to maintain a record of your residential address as well. You can fill out the J-1 Scholar Change of Address or Work Site Form and mail it or drop it off at the ISSO if that is easier than emailing us.
- Site of Activity Change: You and your dependent family members must report additions to, or changes in, work site (location at which work will be conducted) to the ISSO within 10-days of the change. If you will be working at another physical location, the ISSO must report the address of the activity site to SEVIS. Short trips of a few days do not need to be reported as changes in site of activity. You can fill out the J-1 Scholar Change of Address or Work Site Form and mail it or drop it off at the ISSO if that is easier than emailing us.
- Changes in Legal Name: You and your dependent family members must report changes of legal name to the ISSO within 10-days of making the change. In addition, under SEVIS, the accuracy of names and biographic data on DS-2019 forms will be of CRITICAL importance. If your current DS-2019 form does not list your name or biographic information correctly, please notify the ISSO.
- End of program participation: If you will be leaving Cornell more than 30-days before the end date specified on Form DS-2019, you must notify the ISSO by filling out the J-1 Scholar Early Arrival/Departure Form.
It is absolutely critical that you notify the ISSO of any of the above described changes. As the federally designated officers for Cornell University's J-1 exchange visitor program, we are required to ensure that the university is in compliance with regulations governing the program.
Other Aspects of J1 Status:
Recent Updates in J-1 Research Scholar
and Professor Category
Travel Plans:
An exchange visitor's authorized stay is limited to the dates entered on the Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019). Entry to the US is permitted up to 30 days before and 30 days after the beginning date on the form. J1 visitors have a 30 day grace period after the end date of their DS-2019 during which time they can remain within the U.S. but may no longer be paid for employment.
Adding Dependents:
To bring a spouse/children to the United States, J-1 academic staff need to obtain a new Form DS-2019 for them to apply for J-2 visas at the U.S. embassy or consulate overseas. J-2 visas are only for immediate family members (spouse and children). In order for the International Students and Scholars Office to issue the DS-2019 for your family, you must show financial support for each accompanying family member for at least one year or length of your program (whichever is less). Download the ISSO application here.
Employment of Dependents:
J-2 visa holders (spouses and children under 21) may request employment authorization from the Immigration and Naturalization Service after entering the US. This authorization is NOT guaranteed. The ISSO can assist with the application. For detail, visit this page.
Federal and State Income Taxes:
If your visitor received any payment while in the US, taxes will likely be due. Certain people may benefit from a tax treaty (check this web site for a list of countries which have tax treaties with the US). Encourage your visitors to determine their tax status by contacting the appropriate Payroll Office as soon as possible after their arrival. In general, foreign nationals earning any money in the US must file a tax return, even if their earnings are below the minimum established annually by the IRS or if they are beneficiaries of a tax treaty.
Two Year Home Residence Requirement
English Language Ability:
Unlike foreign students who must establish English language proficiency before a visa can be issued, Exchange Visitors are not tested in any way. Several opportunities for English language study exist in Ithaca. Contact the ISSO for more information about language classes.