Sponsor a Permanent Resident

The following is intended as a brief overview of the process of permanent residency and does not contain all relevant information. More detailed information is provided on the ISSO website under the specific category of interest.

Employment-Based Permanent Residence

International Student/Scholar Office (ISSO) provides administrative support services for employment-based permanent residence applications for UNC Charlotte international faculty in permanent positions at the University. Only tenure-track academic positions or research positions designated as “permanent” are eligible for permanent residence petitions.

To initiate a permanent residency petition the hiring department should contact the ISSO. The University reserves the right to withhold UNC Charlotte sponsorship if the applicant does not meet the necessary criteria for an employment-based petition. Any change in employment status during the application process (reduction of percentage of time, leave of absence, change in job title or duties, or termination) could result in withdrawal of the petition. Employment-based permanent residence petitions for UNC Charlotte must be processed though ISSO. In compliance with state law, the University does not authorize outside attorneys to represent its interests. Only the Director of the International Student Scholar Office may sign forms related to employment-based permanent residence applications filed on behalf of the University.

At-A-Glance: UNC Charlotte Employment-Based Visa Sponsorship

The following table shows the two categories of employment-based permanent residency sponsored at UNC Charlotte and a brief overview of the requirements for each:

Outstanding Professor or Researcher (EB-1)
  • Nationally and internationally known in academic field
  • Considered outstanding in 3 of 6 categories
  • Minimum of 3 years experience in the field
  • Must have tenured, tenure-track or comparable position
  • Must be employed full-time
Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees (EB-2)
  • Must have teaching duties that involve classroom teaching
  • Must have been selected through a national search process
  • Must meet prevailing wage
  • Must meet Dept of Labor criteria for selection and PERM application be filed within 18 months of University’s offer of employment
  • Must be employed full-time

Additional Resources: [Under Construction]

  • UNC Charlotte Permanent Residence Policy
  • Application Procedures & Timeline