There are numerous ways to pursue permanent residency. Some of the most commonly utilized routes include sponsorship by an employer, sponsorship by a qualifying family member, self petitioning procedures by which applicants prove national interest or exceptional ability, seeking asylum, and the diversity lottery. The University is able to provide employer sponsorship for faculty and high level researchers.

Employment based Permanent Residency

UO Eligibility Policy
How to apply?
Processing Times & Fees
When to Begin
Maintaining status while Permanent Residency application is pending
Address Change

UO Eligibility Policy

Faculty and Staff need to work with their departments and the Academic Affairs Office to determine eligibility.

Tenure Track Position: All tenure-track positions qualify for permanent residency.  However, the permanent residency process needs to start within 18 months of the job offer.

Non-tenure career instructional positions: Career non-tenure related instructional positions are eligible for permanent residency.  However, the permanent residency process needs to be submitted to the US Department of Labor start within 18 months of the job offer.

Outstanding Faculty & Researches
Under very limited circumstances, employees who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in the sciences or arts may be eligible for the outstanding faculty category. This will eliminate the need for a labor certification application. To apply for University of Oregon approval to file an "outstanding" I-140 petition, please fill out and submit the Outstanding Professor or Researcher Request Form, along with a justification letter and vita, to Unclassified Personnel Services.

For further information and the eligibility criteria, please contact Sonia Potter at (541) 346-2002 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How to Apply

Step 1 Begin the process

1. Submit the Application for Labor Certification to your Department.

Step 2 Submit I-140

1. After you receive the Labor Certification approval complete the I-140 packet and fill out the Form I-140.
2. Submit the I-140 form and supplementary documents to ISSS.

Step 3 Submit I-485

1. While your I-140 petition is pending, you will need to order and prepare the adjustment of status application (I-485 packet). However, you can not submit your I-485 packet until your I-140 has been approved.
2. Obtain the complete packet by calling the USCIS request line at 1-800-870-FORM. You will need an I-485 packet for each family member.
3. If you are planning to travel abroad while the I-485 form is pending, please submit the form I-131 (advance parole) to the USCIS.

Processing Times (2-3 years) & Fees

1. Approval of UO Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (2-4 weeks)
2. Labor Certification Process (8-9 months from time of electronic submittal)
3. Intent to Immigrate Petition: I-140 (9-12 months) $580
4. Adjustment of Status Petition: I-485 (9-12 months) $1070

When to Begin

Tenure Track Position: Begin the application process as soon as possible after the job offer.
The Labor Certification Application must be submitted to the Department of Labor not later than eighteen months from the official contract offer date. Failure to do so will require departments to conduct a new search for the position.

Non-tenure career instructional position: Begin the application process as soon as possible after the job offer.

Officers of administration and officers of research: The UO typically does not sponsor labor certification for these contract types.

For further information, please contact Sonia Potter at 346-2002 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Maintaining status while Permanent Residency application is pending

It takes about 2-3 years to secure a permanent residency. While the application is pending, the employee must maintain immigration status to work at the UO and/or travel overseas.

Address Change

All international scholars and faculty are required by law to keep their addresses updated with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). If you change your address, you must fill out the AR-11 (change of address) form and mail it to USCIS within 10 days of moving. Failing to report your change of address may jeopardize your legal immigration status.