University of Oklahoma Sponsorship Eligiblity for Permanent Residence

or “how can I get a green card for my foreign worker?"

Getting started….

When contemplating an offer of permanent employment to a foreign worker you should be aware of the implications of such an offer. A valid U.S. green card, also called an immigrant visa, allows an alien to become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and to work legally, travel abroad and return, bring in a spouse and children, and become eligible for citizenship.

Obtaining permanent residence for one foreign worker can affect many individuals. Family-based green card holders may apply for permission to work immediately upon arriving in the U.S. or at the time they file for permanent residence status while in the U.S.

Employers should always be thoughtful to ensure that their offer will not displace any U.S. workers. It is important to understand that once you make an offer to a foreign national that many such individuals might expect for you to sponsor them for permanent residence within a reasonable period of time after they begin employment. Therefore, at the time of hire, in order to avoid future misunderstandings and to protect the University from any claims which may be made by the prospective employee, you should:

Discuss this matter in detail with the foreign national;
Contact the IFSS staff in advance of making any verbal or written agreement with the prospective employee in order to avoid any misrepresentation of University policy, and;
In consultation with the IFSS, develop a written agreement pertaining to the University's possible sponsorship for U.S. permanent residence.

Under no circumstances should the hiring department make any guarantee of sponsorship for permanent residence to a foreign worker. Due to the complexity of employment-based sponsorship, it is impossible for any employer to guarantee that its efforts will be successful. Therefore, the hiring department can only commit to the endeavor of sponsoring a foreign worker for permanent residence.

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