UCSC divisions and departments can sponsor permanent resident status for employees in permanent, full-time positions that require professional-level credentials.
According to APO policy, these employees include individuals hired in tenure-track faculty positions, researchers in the Professional Researcher Series (at the Associate Researcher level or higher, if funding is guaranteed for a minimum of three years), and for Continuing Lecturers (under very limited circumstances as determined by the USCIS). All university-sponsored permanent residency cases must be processed through IFSS and a UCOP-vetted immigration attorney.
To start the permanent residency process, contact ischolar@ucsc.edu. After the hiring unit has permission to initiate outside counsel, an initial consultation will be set up with IFSS, an immigration attorney, the hiring unit, and the employee. The meeting will cover the strategy for filing, as well as the cost and timeline of the petition.