Employment-Based Permanent Residency
Employment-based permanent residency, commonly referred to as the green card process, allows eligible international faculty members to pursue long-term authorization to live and work in the United States.
At CSUSB, permanent residency processes connected to university employment require institutional review and coordination. These processes are complex, highly fact-specific, and may involve outside immigration counsel.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can provide general information about CSUSB’s institutional role in employment-based permanent residency processes. ISSS does not provide personal legal representation or private immigration legal advice.
CSUSB’s Role
CSUSB may support certain employment-based permanent residency processes when the position, faculty member, immigration category, and institutional requirements are met.
University support is not automatic. Before CSUSB signs letters, provides employer documentation, or confirms institutional sponsorship, the case must be reviewed by ISSS and any appropriate campus partners.
- Reviewing whether the process is connected to CSUSB employment;
- Coordinating with departments, colleges, Faculty Affairs and Development, Human Resources, or external counsel;
- Reviewing employer support letters or institutional documentation;
- Confirming appointment information, position title, salary, worksite, and employment terms;
- Advising departments regarding timing, institutional responsibilities, and documentation needs;
- Maintaining records related to employer-sponsored processes.
Faculty members should not assume that CSUSB can sign attorney-prepared letters or employer documents without institutional review.
Faculty Special Handling / PERM
PERM labor certification is a process through the U.S. Department of Labor that may be required for certain employment-based permanent residency cases.
For college and university teachers, a process known as “Special Handling” may be available when specific recruitment, selection, and timing requirements are met. This option is time-sensitive and depends on the original faculty recruitment process.
PERM Special Handling may require review of:
- The original job posting or recruitment advertisement;
- Recruitment and selection documentation;
- The final selection date;
- The offer letter;
- The faculty member’s qualifications;
- The department or college hiring record;
- Applicable filing deadlines.
Departments should contact ISSS as early as possible when a newly hired faculty member may need permanent residency support. Delays may affect whether certain options remain available.
EB-1 Outstanding Professor or Researcher
The EB-1 Outstanding Professor or Researcher category may be available for certain faculty members with strong evidence of recognized academic achievement and international distinction in their field.
This category generally requires detailed evidence of the faculty member’s scholarly record, academic contributions, publications, citations, peer review activity, awards, memberships, and other relevant accomplishments.
EB-1 cases often require legal strategy and substantial documentation. CSUSB may need to review and approve any employer support letter or institutional documentation before it is signed or submitted.
Faculty members interested in this category should consult qualified immigration counsel to determine whether they may be eligible.
National Interest Waiver and Self-Petition Options
Some faculty members may explore permanent residency options that do not require traditional employer sponsorship, such as the National Interest Waiver (NIW) or other self-petition categories.
These processes are generally led by the faculty member and their immigration attorney. CSUSB may not be the petitioner in these cases, but the faculty member or attorney may still request institutional documentation, employment verification, or support letters.
Any document that represents CSUSB, describes university employment, or requests institutional support must be reviewed by ISSS and the appropriate campus officials before it is signed.
Attorney Involvement
Faculty members may choose to consult an immigration attorney regarding permanent residency strategy, personal immigration history, family members, travel, adjustment of status, consular processing, or other individual immigration matters.
An attorney can help evaluate:
- Possible permanent residency categories;
- Eligibility and evidentiary strength;
- Timing and filing strategy;
- Costs and attorney fees;
- Impact on dependents;
- Travel or visa considerations;
- Adjustment of status or consular processing options;
- Long-term H-1B extension planning.
If an attorney requests documents or signatures from CSUSB, the faculty member should contact ISSS before asking a department chair, dean, or other university official to sign.
Timing and Long-Term Planning
Permanent residency planning should begin early. Timing may affect both the green card process and the faculty member’s ability to maintain valid nonimmigrant status.
Faculty members and departments should consider:
- H-1B expiration dates and maximum time limits;
- Whether an H-1B extension may be needed;
- Whether an approved Form I-140 may affect future H-1B extension options;
- PERM or recruitment-related filing deadlines;
- Travel plans;
- Dependent family members;
- Attorney processing timelines;
- USCIS and Department of Labor processing times.
Starting early helps reduce the risk of missed deadlines, employment interruptions, or loss of available filing options.
What ISSS Can and Cannot Do
Contact ISSS
Faculty members and departments should contact International Student and Scholar Services as early as possible when employment-based permanent residency support may be needed.
ISSS will review the request, explain the institutional process, and identify any required next steps.