The university is well aware that there are many professional and personal reasons why foreign nationals seek permanent residence (“green card”) status. FSVS has an excellent track record of obtaining permanent residence for USC international employees.
However, employment-based permanent residence processing is by its nature complex, slow, and requires the mobilization of resources from across the university. Hence, USC has set up a policy that is as inclusive as possible under the current regulations and practice.
Who initiates the process?
Like with nonimmigrant visas, your hiring department initiates the process. However, you and a department representative will be required to come in to FSVS for a consultation.
How does the process work?
This will depend on many factors – your background, the position, and more.
How long does it take?
This will depend on many factors – the strategy developed for your case, the government’s processing times, legislative developments, etc. Currently, average processing times vary from 2-4 years. Much depends on the type of case and legislative developments. This is far better than in the past, when processing stretched out to five years and beyond.
Can’t I just hire a lawyer to take care of it?
No. FSVS is the only entity authorized by USC to prepare and submit petitions and applications where USC is the Petitioner or Applicant. If a specific case must be handled by an outside attorney, we will make the call. This institutional consistency has proven to be extremely beneficial to all our people undergoing the process.
However, you may hire your own immigration attorney to advise you personally, or explore alternatives to USC sponsorship. Furthermore, for the final stage of processing (the I-485 Application to Adjust Status to Permanent Resident), you will be the Applicant; so you are free to hire your own attorney to represent you in that final phase.
FSVS is happy to provide information for legal consumers on working with U.S. immigration attorneys.
What portion of the processing do I pay for?
USC will take care of all legal fees, filing fees and costs associated with our sponsorship of your case (Labor Certification, I-140 Immigrant Visa Petition, etc.). However, the last step, the actual I-485 Adjustment of Status application will remain your responsibility.