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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 December 16, 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.

Winter Break Dining and Office Hours

(Dec. 2025) Ithaca students: Many places to eat in Ithaca are closed over winter break, so plan ahead if you’re staying in town. Check winter break hours for Cornell Dining and confirm available off-campus dining options. Cornell Tech students: The Cornell Tech Cafe will close on December 22 and reopen January 5.

International Services will observe the following winter break hours:

  • Closing at 2:00: Wednesday, December 17
  • Closed: Thursday, December 25 – Friday, January 2
  • Open for Spring 2026: Monday, January 5

Current Travel Advisory

(Dec. 2025) If you're planning international travel, be aware that U.S. federal travel restrictions continue to evolve. Read our updated guidance before you book your winter flights.

Duration of Status Proposed Rule

(Sept. 2025) The Department of Homeland Security has proposed replacing duration of status (D/S) with fixed periods of stay for F and J nonimmigrants. Read our guidance on the proposed rule. We will share additional information if the rule takes effect.

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. 

Monthly Immigration Update

Excerpted from the International Services Newsletter | Updated December 16, 2025

Travel Guidance and Urgent Travel Help

If you are planning to travel internationally in the coming weeks, be aware that U.S. federal travel restrictions continue to evolve and could impact some international citizens' ability to reenter the country. 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, 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 at the border, or you have a medical emergency, call International SOS (+1-215-942-8478) and reference Cornell's membership number: 11BSCA827281.

Stay informed by reading the International Services Alerts page for the most up-to-date travel and immigration guidance. As always, we encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or need support.

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.

For December Grads

Don’t wait! If fall 2025 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. You’ll need to be able to access to 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. All other non-U.S. citizens must submit a change of address to USCIS.

Remote Work for Scholars

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 policy, 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 scholars and interns are required to report departures that occur more than 15 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.

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