Office of Human Resources

At Appalachian State University, only tenure track faculty positions receive support for permanent residency processes.

Unless a foreign national has committed to a self-filing permanent residency process, the University will automatically begin the permanent residency process for the foreign national approximately 2 months after the contracted start date.

Appalachian State University conducts the EB-2 Advanced Degree permanent residency filing for eligible positions. Currently, the University does not provide support for self-filing permanent residency options and the University currently does not provide support for any EB-1 permanent residency filings.

The permanent residency process is multiple steps and can take several years to complete. Appalachian State University does not participate in any forms of permanent residency processes that can result in a foreign national becoming a permanent resident in a specified amount of time.

Appalachian State University does support the Special Handling PERM process, in which the University seeks to submit a Prevailing Wage Determination and ETA-9089 on behalf of the foreign national within 18 months of the foreign national being offered the position at App State, or the date of contract issue. This is an accelerated process but does not guarantee permanent residency in a specified amount of time.

Positions eligible for permanent residency sponsorship at App State are limited to full-time faculty positions with tenure track status.

Positions NOT eligible for permanent residency sponsorship at App State include full-time non-tenure-track faculty roles, part-time non-tenure-track faculty roles, full-time staff roles, part-time staff roles, temporary roles, time-limited roles, and positions classified as SHRA.

Appalachian State University conducts the EB-2 Advanced Degree permanent residency filing for eligible positions. At this time, the University does not provide support for self-filing permanent residency options and the University does not provide support for any EB-1 permanent residency filings.

The permanent residency process is multiple steps and can take several years to complete. Appalachian State University does not participate in any forms of permanent residency processes that can result in a foreign national becoming a permanent resident in a specified amount of time.

Appalachian State University does support the Special Handling PERM process, in which the University seeks to submit a Prevailing Wage Determination and ETA-9089 on behalf of the foreign national within 18 months of the foreign national being offered the position at App State, or the date of contract issue. This is an accelerated process but does not guarantee permanent residency in a specified amount of time 

The processing times listed in the below process are estimated as of May 2025 and are subject to change without notice or reason. In addition, the process listed below is subject to change if policies and/or procedures with USCIS change.

• The first major step of the permanent residency process begins by the employer (App State) submitting a Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD). The PWD is a document that certifies the salary being paid to the foreign national meets federal minimum requirements. This is generally submitted by the employer within the second month of employment and can take 6-8 months to be certified.
• The second major step of the permanent residency process is the ETA-9089, Application for Permanent Employment Certification. The ETA-9089 requires a certified Prevailing Wage and is used to detail the foreign national’s qualifications through work history and education history. The ETA-9089 must be submitted by the employer before June 30 or before the 18 months deadline (from date of offer or contract) and can take 16-18 months to be certified.
• The third major step of the permanent residency process is the I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. The I-140 requires a certified ETA-9089 and is an employer’s petition to support a foreign national for permanent residency. The I-140 will often require verifiable documentation of information provided in the ETA-9089. The I-140 must be submitted by the employer within 6 months of an approved ETA-9089 and can take up to 24 months to be approved.
• The fourth major step of the permanent residency process is the I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The I-485 requires an approved I-140 and is an application submitted by the foreign national. In some cases, the I-485 may be filed concurrently with the I-140. It is recommended that a foreign national consult an immigration attorney to assist in the filing of the I-485. Filing for the I-485 will be dependent on the Visa Bulletin waitlist, which determines when a foreign national can submit their I-485. Some countries may be subject to a standard waitlist time, while other countries may have extended wait periods. A foreign national will use their I-140 priority date compared to the Visa Bulletin to determine when they are able to file. The I-485, once able to be submitted, can take between 12-16 months to be approved.

Once a foreign national receives an approved I-485 status, they will receive their permanent resident card (green card) by mail. Additional steps may be required, and it is recommended that foreign nationals consult an immigration attorney to assist in further processes.

Immigration Support and the University do not provide legal advice to foreign nationals, especially in the circumstances of self-filing processes. Documents for self-filing processes cannot be reviewed by Immigration Support and the University.

Self-filing processes are defined as processes for which Appalachian State University is not the sponsor. In addition, self-filing processes are defined processes for which the beneficiary (the involved foreign national) has conducted and/or completed paperwork with or without legal counsel that was not initiated by or requested by Appalachian State University. All processes defined as self-filing are the responsibility of the involved foreign national, including meeting filing deadlines, completing all required forms, and payment of associated fees. The University does not provide reimbursement or payment for fees of self-filing processes. The University does not provide reimbursement or payment for fees associated with hiring your own private immigration lawyer.

Examples of self-filing processes can include but not be limited to: Curricular or Optional Practical Training (CPT/OPT), dependent documentation (H-4 or TD applications), I-485 Applications, National Interest Waiver application, and EB-1A Extraordinary Ability application.