Before you can apply for a US student visa (F-1), Cornell Tech must issue you a Form I-20. The I-20 is issued by Cornell Tech on behalf of Cornell University and Cornell Tech. To get started and to submit your I-20 materials, please click here. Please note that we only issue an I-20 after you have submitted your deposit.

You can learn more about the visa process and important immigration information from Cornell University’s Office of Global Learning.

OPT information for students that already completed another master’s program in the US.

• For students engaged in post-secondary schools or at conservatories. Twelve months of
  Regular OPT is available for each higher level of study. (For example, a student
  may have 12 months for a bachelor’s degree and another 12 months for a master’s
  degree).

Most international students at Cornell (including non-degree and exchange students) have an F-1 student visa. Nearly all students with a J-1 visa are sponsored by their government or another external agency and are required to have J-1 status to receive their funding. In fact, you are only eligible for a J-1 visa if more than 50% of your funding comes from a source other than personal or family funds. (Students with full Cornell funding are eligible to request J-1 status, if preferred.)

If you are deciding between an F1 or a J1 visa, you can compare the two here – https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/new/fj_compared

If you are already in the U.S. in active F-1 or J-1 student status, you will need to have your SEVIS record transferred to Cornell from your current school before classes begin. Talk to your current international student advisor about your travel and employment plans, then indicate your intended transfer release date on your Admission Supplement. You are encouraged to submit your Admission applications and materials before your transfer release date.

We will not be able to issue your new immigration documents until after your transfer release date. You will have the same SEVIS ID and will not need to pay the SEVIS fee again. If you have questions about applying for a new visa, contact International Services within the Office of Global Learning or visit their For F-1 Transfer Students webpage.

This is Cornell Tech’s transfer form which includes the SEVIS school code – https://tech.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/F1-Transfer-Form-for-students-transferring-to-Cornell-Tech.pdf. 

Note: Students with SEVIS transfers do not need to leave the US between academic programs. This is true even if the visa stamp in your passport has expired. If you have questions, please reach out to an international student advisor to clarify your status and options.

For information on studying in the USA and OPT

Cornell University OPT STEM Extension policy

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF INTERNATIONAL FUNDING OPTIONS