Eligibility and Search Guidelines

  • ISU Guidelines for Sponsoring "Green Cards" - Revision in progress

Length of Stay

  • Indefinite

Steps

  • Department or HR representative submits request in CyStart once appointment has been finalized in Workday
  • ISSO submits Prevailing Wage Request to the U.S. Department of Labor
  • ISSO submits Labor Certification (PERM) to the U.S. Department of Labor
  • ISSO submits I-140 petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
  • Faculty member (and each family member) files I-485 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for adjustment of nonimmigrant status to U.S. permanent resident
  • Faculty member (and each family member) will have an appointment with USCIS for biometric purposes (if over age 13) and a second one for a personal interview

Timing

18 month window to complete the LCA step begins with employment offer date

  • The following processing times are subject to change without notice
  • 6 - 7 months: Prevailing Wage Request
  • 12 -13 months: Labor Certification
  • 6 - 8 months: I-140 Immigrant Petition
  • 22 - 24 months: I-485 Adjustment of Status  (green card)

Required Forms and Documentation

  • CyStart application to ISSO
  • Written documentation of all ads used in search process
  • Letter of Intent

Other Case-Specific Required Forms

Contact ISSO (issoscholar@iastate.edu) for permission forms required to sponsor a non-tenure-track faculty or qualifying P&S position.

Department Costs

Employee Resources on Employment-Based Green Cards

Employee may also be eligible to file an EB-1A application in the "Extraordinary Ability" category, an EB-2 application in the "National Interest Waiver" category, or a family-based green card application, but would file these applications independently of ISU. Please direct the employee to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for further information.

  • $1,500:   ISSO Scholar Support Fee
  • $  715:    USCIS I-140 Immigrant Petition Fee
  • $2,805:   USCIS Premium Processing Fee (optional for 15 business day processing)