Visitor Policy
Definition and Purpose
Each year, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) receives hundreds of requests to visit our facilities, to meet with and learn from faculty or to just spend time at CVM.
This webpage clarifies the types of visitors CVM hosts, the visit planning and approval process, and the related services that the college will provide to the host and to the visitor.
Casual short-term visits, with no appointment in Workday and no international visa handling, are processed solely by each department. The Office of Human Resources and the Office of International Affairs and Professional Services (OIAPS) will guide and assist if there are questions concerning departmental casual visits.
The need for an appointment in Workday or international/visa handling will trigger formal processing by OIAPS.
Types of Visitors and Status at CVM
There are various types of visitors to CVM and any formal visitors as defined above will be processed into one of the following categories.
Research/ Academic Visitors |
Visiting academics
Researchers or scientists from other institutions who have academic credentials. This may include faculty on sabbatical or visiting as a part of a collaboration. Visiting faculty may be at the CVM for up to one year. Sabbatical academics in collaborative relationships/projects will incur no fees. |
‘Lab’ interns
Postgraduate research students who have a desire to be mentored and learn in a lab. Interns visit for up to 12 months with proof of student status and funding from home institution or government (stipend/fellowship).*
*Funding minimums will be evaluated and matched yearly to the Tompkins County Livable Wage. |
Initiating, Requesting and Finalizing Visits
All visitors must be sponsored by a faculty member. Faculty members must submit documents to their department administrator or the OIAPS for review. Final department chair/unit director approval must be four-six months prior to the visit.
These documents include:
- A Visitor Request Form. This form collects information required to process visitor documents, commitment of the faculty member and department, and clarifies the best category and/or status for each visitor.
- A CV. This describes relevant education and research experience.
- Letter of Intent. This summarizes the academic and research goals of the visitor, and is provided by the visitor.
Processing will not commence without these documents and funding proof. Once the documents are reviewed, they will be submitted to the appropriate department chair or CVM unit director. OIAPS will coordinate directly with the proposed visitor to gather all other documentation required in order to process the application. The faculty sponsor will be kept informed.
OIAPS will provide a visitor with college documents that acknowledge the expectations made of the visitor (including costs) and benefits provided by Cornell. The appropriate letter of visit will be issued only at this time.
The following table lists the specific documentation required for each visitor.
Requirement | Visiting academic | 'Lab' intern |
Visitor Request Form | Yes | Yes |
Letter of Intent | Yes | Yes |
Faculty Mentor Commitment | Yes | Yes |
Chair Approval | Yes | Yes |
Financial Support | Yes | Yes |
Proof of English | Yes | Yes |
Learning Objectives | Yes | Yes |
Proof of Matriculation | Yes (if student) | |
Health Insurance | Yes | Yes |
Liability Insurance | ||
Liability Waiver | Yes | Yes |
Parental Approval |
Approval Process for Visitors
As CVM does not charge tuition to any visitor, we have no visitors with a student status and academic transcripts. Visiting students who need academic credit and need to visit for more than 12 months must be admitted to the college as a non-degree student.
The following sequence is used to process a visitor.
Step | Process | Ideal Timeframe* |
---|---|---|
Visitor Request Form, CV, Letter of Intent from from visitor |
If the Visitor Request Form has not been signed, the visit is not finalized. |
At least four-to-six months before visit |
Visitor Application Processed and Accepted |
|
At least three months before visit |
Visit Preparation |
Resources shared by OIAPS:
|
Two months before visit |
Visitor Arrival |
Welcome and check-in provided by OIAPS, including
|
Day of arrival |
Routine Check-in |
|
Ongoing |
Exit Interview |
Close-out by host department, including
|
Last day |
Visitor Costs
Visit fees, at the discretion of the academic department director or chair, can be evaluated on a case by case basis. In the interest of the standardization of CVM, an exemption should only be granted in exceptional circumstances. The association dean of academic affairs will be included in fee exemptions when applied.
All visits will incur fees, which are defined each year. The fees can be paid by the host faculty, department, section, or visitor. Visitor-related costs are used to cover fees for specific services that are granted upon Workday appointment, such as TCAT transportation, library services, web access and space usage.
There are no volunteers in CVM laboratories. Volunteers and voluntary activities will be reviewed for structured programs and adhere to CU Policy 6.5. Visitors will be placed in the correct title for visit purposes.
CVM-Provided Resources and Benefits for Visitors
The following table lists the specific Cornell benefits provided to the different types of visitors.
Benefit | “Visitor” (Extern, visiting vet, visiting academic, ‘lab’ intern) | “Employee” (Self-funded vet interns/residents) | “Volunteer” (Wildlife Health Center and Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists) |
---|---|---|---|
Visa Sponsorship
|
(if > 3 months or requested) | X | N/A |
Orientation and Welcome Pack
|
X | X | X |
In-person Orientation
|
X | X | X |
Cornell ID
|
(if > 3 months or requested) | X | N/A |
NetID
|
(if > 3 months or requested) | X | N/A |
Housing Assistance
|
X | X | X |
State/Federal Withholding
|
X (with allowance) |
X | N/A |
CVM Software and Data Access
|
X | X | N/A |
English Language Support
|
X | X | N/A |
Please note that the lab intern (unpaid/paid/allowance) human resources title will grant TCAT access.
Additional resources
Notes on Visas for Visitors
Given current immigration and visa scrutiny, processing and preparation times for visas may be increased. Added controls and credential checks are in place. CVM documents and files will need added reviews. Visits are encouraged to be processed in the most accurate and appropriate visa status as possible in order to avoid possible entry complications or denials.
CVM Policy on Visa Sponsorship
CVM visitors who are foreign nationals with short-term and casual (no or limited CVM/Cornell benefits/services needed) are encouraged to use the visa waiver program and tourist/business B visas when possible. If the visitor is in need of and requests visa sponsorship to gain college and university benefits/services, CVM will sponsor a visa with department and human resources approval.
B Visa/Visa Waiver Program
This visa should be used only if visit activities are casual and extremely short. Support documentation that is given to the visitor should highlight that no payment/compensation is being given and that no academic matriculation, credentials, transcripts or documentation will be issued as a result of the visit. Customs and consular officials can be difficult if the visit is considered to fall outside of the U.S. Immigration Regulations that apply to this category and may deny entry or visa.
J1 Visa
Compensation can be paid. Requires proof of:
- minimum funds (provided by visitor’s home institution, government, fellowship or Cornell) currently at $31,200 per year/$2,600 per month
- English competency
- Health and repatriation coverage
- Consular processing
CVM is limiting visitors for a one-year sponsorship period.
This visa category allows only incidental animal/patient contact. It allows for a dependent spouse/partner to apply for U.S. work authorization. It has flexible U.S. arrival and departure, which grants the visitor a 30-day grace period to be in within the U.S. (no longer being paid).
No added processing cost to Cornell/CVM. Five year maximum sponsorship, 12 month gap needed between new J sponsorships and can require a two-year home residency period for the visitor upon completion. In-house CVM handling allows for DS2019 printing/validating and J1 scholar check in.