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Cornell University

Immigration Advice and Resources

Cornell offers many resources to support our international community. On this page, you'll find answers, advice, and allies for your immigration-related concerns, including campus resources for internationals, immigration emergency aid, and more.

Immigration Resources

Updated May 6, 2025

Cornell supports and stands by its immigrant and international community. Leadership and staff are working diligently to understand the changing federal landscape and how that impacts Cornell and universities around the nation.

Read the most recent travel guidance.

SEVIS Record Checks

(May 2025) All Cornell international students' records previously terminated in SEVIS were reinstated as of April 27. The International Services team conducts frequent SEVIS database checks for any status changes. Read more about SEVIS record checks and explore the FAQ (NetID required).

Immigration Policy Updates: What Cornell’s International Community Should Know

(March 2025) Cornell legal and immigration experts provided guidance and answered questions on U.S. immigration policy changes. Topics included travel restrictions, alien registration, visa challenges, and university resources. View video of the session and corresponding slides on the Cornell Executive Order Information website (NetID required).

Free Consultation with Immigration Attorneys

(March 2025) To help support its community members, Cornell has engaged Miller Mayer immigration attorneys to provide free consultations for Cornell students, faculty, and staff who wish to discuss immigration-related issues.

Local Legal Resources

(Feb. 2025) Cornell cannot provide personal legal advice, but we recognize that community members may have legal concerns related to immigration and other matters. Visit a list of local legal resources that offer support. 

Information on Executive Orders

(Jan. 2025) Please visit Cornell's Information on Executive Orders website for guidance and resources on how executive orders, federal agency directives, and policy announcements may impact our missions of research, teaching, public engagement, and supporting our diverse community.

Monthly Immigration Update

Excerpted from the International Services Newsletter | Updated May 5, 2025

Summer Travel

International students, faculty, and staff: If you are planning international travel over the summer, be aware that U.S. federal travel restrictions are evolving and could impact some international citizens' ability to reenter the country. Please review the following resources: International Services Alerts, Travel Documents for Students or Travel Documents for Scholars, and Stopped at the Border.

Remember, if you are an H-1B or O-1 employee, submit your I-94 in myStatus once you are back in the U.S. Find H-1B/O-1 Employment Eligibility Review under University Employment. If you have an H-1B or O-1 petition pending with USCIS, contact us to make sure your travel plans won't disrupt your pending petition.

Leaving Cornell

If you’re an F/J student who’s graduating and leaving the U.S. or going to another university, here are some tips to help you get organized!

Are you a J-1, H-1B, or other Cornell-sponsored employee planning to leave Cornell? If you’re leaving before the end date on your DS-2019 (J-1) or I-797 approval notice (H-1B and O-1), you must complete the Leaving Cornell form so that Cornell can meet the federal requirement to notify the government of your departure.

Federal Registration Requirement

U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a new process to enforce the "Alien Registration Act," a long-standing registration requirement for non-citizens. Most permanent residents and people who were issued an I-94 during their last U.S. entry are considered registered. The enforcement rule went into effect in April.

If you believe that you or a family member are not registered and have questions about registering, we encourage you to consult with an immigration attorney. You can also review our immigration policy updates webinar (login required), guidance from the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and a USCIS tool to determine if you need to register.    

OPT Reminder

F-1 students graduating in May: If you have not applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT), there’s still time! You must be in the U.S. when you file your application. Find out more about F-1 OPT.

While you are on post-graduate OPT employment and the OPT STEM extension, you must report key details about your employment to International Services. Employment reporting is mandatory in order to maintain your legal status and continue working in the United States. Learn more at Report Your OPT or OPT STEM Employment.

CPT Internships

Do you have a summer internship? Be aware that authorization is required for off-campus work! Start by checking out our page on F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to see if you are eligible.

Remember: All off-campus employment must be approved on your I-20 before you begin working. If you’re on the Ithaca campus, work with International Services. Cornell Tech students should seek authorization from Cornell Tech Student and Academic Affairs.

Summer Jobs on Campus

Did you know that you can work full-time on campus during the summer if you are a continuing student and not registered for the summer term? You can start your full-time job after the end of the spring term. If you are registered for summer term, you may only work 20 hours per week.

F-1 students do not need special authorization to work on campus. You can work at any type of job on campus. J-1 students must obtain a J-1 student on-campus employment authorization letter from International Services before starting work. Visit On-Campus Work to find out more.    

Got a New Place? Update Your Address

If you’re an active F-1 or J-1 student or scholar, you must report changes in U.S. address, phone number, or email address to International Services within 10 days. This time frame is a legal requirement. F-1 students should use the F-1 student address update form, and J-1s should use the J-1 SEVIS address update form. Everyone else must notify USCIS of address changes.

International Services Student FAQ

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

Support at Cornell

International Services

Cornell’s Office of Global Learning International Services is here to help students and scholars from around the world thrive at Cornell. Talk with International Services staff about general immigration information, including visas and jobs, finding your niche in Ithaca, campus resources, and more. Get advice from International Services.

Emergency Assistance

If you are a current student, faculty, or staff member experiencing an immigration-related emergency, find out how to get the help you need at any hour on International Services' Stopped at the Border page.

Diversity and Inclusion

Belonging at Cornell provides diversity, equity, and inclusion resources, including anti-racism resources, resources to combat Antisemitism and Islamophobia, and other biases due to religion to the university community.

Resources for undocumented and DACA student support can be found on the Student and Campus Life website.

Learn about how the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs advocates for Cornell's international community.

Guidance and Counseling

  • Part of Cornell Health, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) includes the Let’s Talk program. Talk confidentially with a trained healthcare professional and find support for stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, adjustment challenges, relationship difficulties, questions about identity, managing an existing mental health condition, or other issues. Call CAPS at +1-607-255-5155 to speak with a staff member.
  • Cornell's Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives offers general advising on personal and academic support, as well as planning for academic and professional aims and referrals for undocumented students as part of the Trailblazers program.
  • Cornell's Office of Graduate Student Life serves the Cornell community in many capacities: discussing student concerns, providing available resources and services, and sharing options for handling difficult academic and personal situations. Contact Janna Lamey to identify appropriate resources.
  • The staff in the Dean of Students office is available for support, advice, and guidance in navigating various circumstances. Contact the office by email or call +1-607-255-1115.
  • Cornell's Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers free, confidential guidance and support to benefits-eligible employees and their partners to address issues that may be affecting their personal lives and job satisfaction or performance. This resource is part of Cornell's broad commitment to foster and support the mental health and well-being of the campus community.

Housing in Ithaca

  • If you're an international student concerned that visa issues will limit your ability to travel to your home abroad during university breaks, on-campus housing may be an option. Send an email in confidence to find out more.
  • International Services provides general housing information on its website. Visit Your First Week and Student Resources.

Support from Off-Campus