• Emory sponsors teaching and research faculty positions. 
• Emory normally does not sponsor staff positions.
  • Exceptions may be possible if:
    • The hiring school/division can attest in writing that the position is permanent and indefinite in nature.
      • It is not about a specific employee, but about the position itself.
    • The hiring unit is willing to pay for all associated expenses. 
      • The US Government considers immigration sponsorship expenses as part of the employer’s business expenses (i.e. the hiring department's recruitment and retention costs).
    • Please reach out to ISSS for the content needed in the exception memo. 
• The position must be full-time and permanent (not time-limited or based solely on grant funding).
• The university must intend to employ the scholar indefinitely.
• Emory does not sponsor postdocs because these positions do not meet DHS/DOL standards for permanent positions.
• H-1B is an ideal non-immigration status that would nicely transition a foreign national's status from that of a non-immigrant to an immigrant (permanent resident).
  • But the permanent residency application process should begin no later than Year 3.5 of their 6-year H-1B period due to government processing delays.
  • For PERM Labor Certification cases, the process should begin even earlier in H-1B Year Three (3), considering DOL steps involved.
  • When in doubt, start the process as early as possible. That way, H-1B employment may be extended beyond six years while permanent residency is pending.

Emory files petitions for permanent residency in 3 categories:

1. EB-1 Outstanding Professor or Researcher: This category is limited to those who have risen to the very top of their field. They must be internationally recognized as a leader in the field, and must be able to prove this through awards, publications, and letters from other experts in the field. This category does not require a labor certification.

2. EB-2 Special Handling for College and University Teachers: This category is specific to those who will be teaching courses at the college/university level. It requires a labor certification, but there are fewer requirements than a standard EB-2.

3. EB-2 Standard Filing: This category is for individuals who will not be teaching courses and who do not qualify for the EB-1 category. It requires a labor certification, and the recruitment process is complex and time-consuming. 

• If the hiring department and school want to sponsor permanent residency for a qualifying employee, complete a PR request form and email it to isss@emory.edu. 
• Depending on the category that the scholar is qualified for (EB-1, EB-2, etc.), the permanent residency process can vary widely, as well as the costs (click here for fee schedule). 
• Steps may include recruitment according to Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines, filing labor certification with the DOL, filing Form I-140 with USCIS, and adjustment of status. The process may begin as soon as possible after the scholar is hired.
• After ISSS has received the request and it has been determined to be in accordance with Emory University policy for PR sponsorship, ISSS will contact a designated immigration law firm to set up a meeting (by conference call or in person) to start the process. 
• Any PR application based on an employment offer by Emory must be reviewed and signed by ISSS.
• ISSS has exclusive authorization to file permanent residency petitions on behalf of Emory University. If an outside attorney is used without the prior knowledge and consent of ISSS, the petition will be withdrawn immediately, even if filing fees or attorney's fees have already been paid.
• The hiring department will be responsible to pay for associated fees and expenses and should initiate all steps except for the adjustment of status, which is the scholar's responsibility. 

Applying for permanent residency won't affect an H-1B employee's ability to travel, apply for an H-1B visa stamp, or return to the US in H-1B status while their permanent residency application is pending. 

For employees in other statuses, there are potential risks involved in traveling abroad while a permanent residency application is pending. They should talk to their ISSS advisor before making any travel arrangements.