Permanent Residency

A Permanent Resident is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, a person is granted a Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a "Green Card." You can become a Permanent Resident several different ways. Most individuals are sponsored by a family member or employer in the United States.

UND Green Card Policy
The Office of International Programs at the University of North Dakota does not process petitions for Permanent Residency. UND Policy is for Department Chairs to contact the Office of General Counsel at O’Kelly Hall (Phone 777-6345) to begin the processing of Lawful Permanent Residency for eligible UND employees through an immigration law firm under UND contract. Departments will be responsible for two-thirds of the legal fees involved in the process. You are not authorized to use other immigration attorneys without the permission of the UND General Counsel. It is advisable to contact General Counsel as soon as possible after the employee begins working at UND in a non-immigration status (such as H-1B).

Green Card through Full-Time Employment at UND
Many people become Permanent Residents through a job. Some categories require a Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor to show that there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available in the geographic area where the immigrant is to be employed and that no American workers are displaced by foreign workers. In other cases, highly skilled workers, those with extraordinary ability in certain professions, are given priority to immigrate through several immigrant categories. In all cases, the process involves several steps.

Whether the Labor Certification is needed or not, Permanent Resident employment petitions require that the employer (UND Department) use Form I-140 (Petition for Alien Worker). The employee can become a Permanent Residence through adjustment of status while living in the United States. Once the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) approves the I-140, a visa number will be issued to the employee. The employee will then be able to apply on a Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) to become a Permanent Resident.