Apply for a Green Card
Cornell University files petitions for lawful permanent residency (“green card”) only for international faculty and staff who are working in permanent academic positions.
Eligibility for Cornell Sponsorship
Cornell can only file a permanent residency petition on your behalf if your department supports it.
If you’re a postdoctoral associate or fellow or have “visiting” or “temporary” in your job title, you’re not eligible for Cornell-sponsored permanent residency. The information on this page does not apply to you, because faculty and staff with these job titles are not considered permanent Cornell employees.
Other Options for Green Card Eligibility
There are many categories of green card eligibility beyond Cornell sponsorship. These options include family-based petitions, self-petitions (such as the EB-2 national interest waiver), and the diversity immigrant visa lottery.
These petitions are personal in nature, and therefore International Services can’t advise on them. We encourage you to consult with an immigration attorney if you have questions about permanent residency options outside of Cornell sponsorship.
Getting Started
If you are working in a permanent academic position at Cornell and interested in applying for a green card, your first step is to consult with an International Services advisor. Complete our consultation request form to request a meeting to discuss eligibility and filing procedures (the form can be found in myStatus in the university employment section).
We work with you to confirm your eligibility and determine your best path to permanent residency. International Services communicates the results of our discussion to your unit or department.
Recommended: H-1B Status
We strongly recommend that you be in H-1B visa status before we file a permanent residency petition on your behalf. If you’re not already in H-1B status, talk with your department about changing your visa status.
It’s wise to start the petition process early, as you can only remain in H-1B status for six years. Further H-1B extensions are possible only if Cornell has filed an employment-based permanent residency petition before the end of your fifth year of H-1B status.
Can I use my own lawyer?
Cornell does not allow outside attorneys to represent the university in employment-based permanent residency cases except under very limited circumstances. There is a review and approval process for permission. Please contact International Services for information.
Although an outside attorney can’t file a petition on Cornell’s behalf, you are welcome to work with an attorney on the parts of the process that are your responsibility, such as preparing your I-485 application. If you choose to use a lawyer, you are responsible for your own legal fees.
Types of Employment-Based Petitions
Most Cornell permanent residency petitions are filed under the EB-1B outstanding professor or researcher category. This pathway is for outstanding professors or researchers with at least three years of teaching or research experience in their academic field.
In some cases, we may recommend petitioning for permanent residency through an EB-2 labor certification (PERM). We will let you know if we think this is the most suitable path for you.
The labor certification process documents that there are not enough qualified U.S. workers available to fill your position. PERM tends to be a complicated and time-intensive pathway, with significant backlogs for citizens of some countries. That’s why it’s important to begin very soon after you’ve been offered a position at Cornell.
How We Work with You for an EB-1B Petition
We consult with you and your unit or department to determine the best approach to your permanent residency case and advise you through the EB-1B petition process.
Our Services
We provide instructions about how to collect and arrange evidence for the EB-1B petition on your behalf. We also do a thorough review of your EB-1B materials and give you feedback. We file the completed petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If necessary, we assist with responding to a request for evidence (RFE) or a notice of intent to deny.
International Services can’t legally advise on or review your I-485 application. We will complete the employer portion of I-485 Supplement J when you reach this step.
Your Responsibilities
EB-1B Materials
It is your responsibility to prepare a draft of your EB-1B materials. You or your department must pay the filing fees.
Form I-485
It is your responsibility to prepare your own Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). You can do this independently or with outside legal help. We can recommend an immigration attorney. You are responsible for your own legal fees.
Dependents
In most cases, when you obtain permanent resident status, your spouse and all children under the age of 21 are also eligible to receive permanent resident status. If any family members are applying with you, they will need to file I-485s and pay the fee.
I’m a permanent resident! Now what?
Congratulations on becoming a permanent resident!
You are required to upload photos of the front and back of your green card to myStatus. (You’ll find the permanent resident card upload in the general services section.) Once we’ve received your upload, International Services will update Workday and our internal records.
USCIS provides helpful information about how to maintain your status, your rights and responsibilities, and international travel as a permanent resident.
How do I renew or replace my green card?
We can't legally advise you on renewing or replacing your permanent resident card. USCIS has advice.
If you don't have a valid permanent resident card and you need proof of your permanent resident status, you may apply for an ADIT stamp (I-551 stamp) as temporary proof of your status.
