Permanent Residency
Permanent Residency (PR) Sponsorship through the University of Georgia may be available for non-U.S. citizen employees hired in a permanent position but is not guaranteed.
The PR process is complex, and submitting a petition does not guarantee approval. Each case is evaluated on its individual merits, and final decisions rest solely with federal adjudicating agencies. Each employee is responsible for maintaining authorization to work in the U.S. for the duration of his or her employment, including reverification to the employer as necessary.
In its sole discretion, UGA may elect to pursue an employer-sponsored visa for a selected candidate; however, this is not required.
Sponsorship Categories
OGE-IS Advisors will consult each employee and hiring department to determine the most appropriate Permanent Residency sponsorship category. This determination is collaborative, but will be determined by OGE-IS.
- Outstanding Professors and Researchers – EB-1B
- Individuals with Teaching Responsibilities – EB-2
- Individuals without Teaching Responsibilities – EB-2
Permanent Residency Process
OGE-IS must file the Department of Labor Prevailing Wage and PERM (if applicable) and the USCIS I-140 Immigrant Petition.
The employee will file the USCIS I-485 Adjustment of Status or Consular Application.
Compass Portal Request
The green card process can take 18 months to many years to complete, depending on the category of filing, the citizenship and qualifications of the applicant, and the current government backlogs. Please consult with your immigration advisor regarding the anticipated timeframe for your employee. Note that usually we can continue to authorize H-1B work status during the green card process.
Timeframe: Outstanding Professor or Researcher: EB-1
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6 months – 2+ years
Assembling and receiving an approval on the I-140 application
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5 to 33 months
Employee-filed petition – I-485 adjustment of status application
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6 months to 3 years
Timeframe: EB-2 – Special Handling – Teaching Responsibilities
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1.5 to 2 years
Dept. Of Labor steps
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6 to 8 months
USCIS I-140 step
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5 to 33 months
Employee-filed petition – I-485 adjustment of status application
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3 to 5 years
Time estimates are general in nature, and assume the person is not in a backlogged category of filing.
Adjustment of Status
The Adjustment of Status Application (AoS) is the last step in the green card process, and is the international employee’s personal application for the U.S. “green card”. This is not an employer application, and the Immigration Services office is not allowed to offer legal advice on these cases. We can assist with referring you to outside legal counsel.
Employees may seek legal counsel for the final step of the Permanent Residency process (I-485, Adjustment of Status Application). Hiring departments may choose to assist employees with legal fees if the employee retains the University System of Georgia’s appointed Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG). If the USG SAAG is not retained, legal and application fees may not be reimbursed to the employee or paid directly to the retained legal counsel. The approved USG SAAG is Kramer Partners, LLP. Kramer Partners, LLP will invoice departments directly for legal fees for services rendered and the appropriate USCIS application fees.
UGA departments may only pay for legal and application fees paid on behalf of UGA Employees and UGA funds may not be used for dependent USCIS application or dependent legal fees.
Costs & Fee Payment
Immigration Services and Government fees for PR sponsorships can be found on our website (click Immigration Services Case Processing Fees).
Details regarding OGE-IS, Government, and Legal Fees may be found in the PR Sponsorship Document.
Permanent Residence Pathways Not Requiring Employer Sponsorship
The EB-1B and EB-2 PERM permanent residence routes require express employer sponsorship and support by filing documents with the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security. However, you may qualify for permanent residence in a number of other paths that do not require express sponsorship by an employer. These include the National Interest Waiver (EB-2 NIW), and EB-1A categories. Please feel free to pursue these routes on your own, or in consultation with an immigration attorney of your choosing.
Important Notice
These procedures are specific to the process used to file petitions for sponsorship by the University of Georgia. Information contained herein should not be considered valid for people filing applications that are NOT University sponsored. Immigration Services is the only office on campus to have signature authority for any federal documents related to employer-sponsored permanent residency. The State’s Attorney General has prohibited the filing of any UGA sponsorships by outside counsel.
Contact Information
Sylvia Schell
Assistant Director, Immigration ServicesInternational Scholars & Faculty Immigration Services
