Two-Year MBA: Getting a Visa

F1 visa. If your sole purpose in the US is to complete your MBA at Johnson and you will be returning to your home country afterward, you will apply for an F1 visa. Most of our international students apply for an F1 visa.

J1 visa. If you are sponsored and funded by Cornell University or a government, employer, or organization, you may be eligible to apply for a J1 visa. Students supported solely by family or individual funds are not qualified for Cornell’s J1 program. To request J1 status, contact the Johnson Admissions Office or the Office of Global Learning.

Follow the International Services website guidance to apply for a F1/J1 visa at a US embassy or consulate. Locate your US embassy or nearest consulate here.

If you have a problem getting your visa, please contact the Johnson Admissions Office.

Yes. Please notify us if you have entered the US with an I-20 through another academic program and plan to stay in the US through the start of your program at Johnson. We will send you a Transfer Visa Status document instead of the initial I-20.

Yes. Be sure to notify us, and learn how to change to F1 or J1 status. If you are in the US on a H1B visa, apply for your change in status about one month before you plan to leave your job. Once your status change is approved, you may not be able to continue to work at your H1B job.

• If your change in status is not approved before enrollment, you can still enroll in your Two-Year MBA program as long as you have applied for the change of status.

We would love to have your family join our Johnson community. You are welcome to bring your spouse and children as long as you can support them financially while they’re here. Include any dependents who will accompany you on your Declaration of Finances form, and we will send you the proper forms to apply for their visas. Learn more about bringing your spouse or children.

• If you are on an F1 visa, your dependents will be on F2 visas. An F2 spouse is not permitted to work or earn money in any capacity.
• If you are on a J1 visa, your dependents will be on J2 visas. After entering the US, a J2 spouse may apply for employment authorization to work.

International friends and family will need a B2 visa to visit. At Johnson, we know that the support of your loved ones helps you succeed, and we’re happy to welcome your friends and family to visit us on Cornell’s campus. Learn about what documents they will need to enter the US.

Immigration officials at the port of entry will stamp your I-20 (for F1) or DS-2019 (for J1), return the student copy of the form to you, and give you an I-94 card. Make sure your I-94 card is marked “F1” and “D/S”(for F1) or “J1” and “D/S” (for J1). Keep a photocopy of all your documents in a secure place.

If you do not receive your I-20 or DS-2019 in time for your travel to the US, you may present your Cornell admission letter, financial documents, and your passport to a US consul in your country to apply for a B2 prospective-student visa. Be sure to consult with the Office of Global Learning before entering on a B2 prospective student visa. Do not come to the United States on a B2 tourist visa or WT (visa waiver program for some countries).

Follow the steps listed on the Office of Global Learning website.

Contact the Office of Global Learning team for more information about the visa process and many other tools and resources to help you have a successful international student experience at Cornell.