For professors and academics
Green cards and visas for professors and academics
Universities have routes that other employers do not: EB-1B, special PERM recruitment for teachers, and H-1B without the lottery. Here is how they compare.
Last checked October 2026 · Sources
- EB-1B criteria
- 2 of 6
- EB-1B experience
- 3 years
- University H-1B
- Cap-exempt
- EB-1B legal fee from
- $8,995 flat
Quick answer
Which green card fits a professor?
Professors usually compare EB-1B, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW and employer PERM. EB-1B needs 2 of 6 criteria and 3 years of teaching or research. It also needs a tenured, tenure-track or permanent research job offer (8 CFR 204.5(i)). University H-1B petitions are exempt from the lottery cap.
- EB-1B is filed by your employer. EB-1A and NIW you can file yourself.
- No labor certification is needed for EB-1B.
- Teaching jobs can use special PERM recruitment, filed within 18 months of selection.
- Being a professor does not qualify you on its own.
Compare routes
Academic routes at a glance
The fit column is practical guidance. A partner-firm attorney confirms what fits your case.
| Route | Who files | Fit for academics | Key hurdle | Our legal fee from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1B | Your employer | Tenure-track faculty and permanent researchers | International recognition as outstanding: 2 of 6 criteria, then a final merits review | $8,995 |
| EB-1A | You | Leaders with sustained acclaim, or no permanent job offer | A major award or 3 of 10 criteria, then a review of your whole record | $8,995 |
| EB-2 NIW | You | PhDs and researchers whose work has national importance | The 3-part test in Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016) | $7,995 |
| EB-2 PERM, special handling | Your employer | Teaching faculty chosen through a competitive search | You must be more qualified than every US applicant. File within 18 months of selection. | $7,995 |
| H-1B, cap-exempt | Your university | Faculty, postdocs and staff at universities | A specialty occupation job. No lottery, but a petition is still needed. | Quoted on request |
Premium processing means USCIS acts within 15 business days for EB-1A and EB-1B, and 45 for NIW (USCIS). Legal fees are the partner firm’s flat fees. Government fees are separate. See pricing.
EB-1B
EB-1B: the 6 criteria (you need 2)
These come from 8 CFR 204.5(i)(3)(i). The examples are practical guidance.
| Criterion | Typical academic evidence |
|---|---|
| Major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement | Field-wide research prizes, best paper awards |
| Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement | Elected fellowships judged by experts |
| Published material by others about your work | Articles in professional publications about your research, with title, date and author |
| Judging the work of others | Peer review for journals or conferences, government grant panels, doctoral dissertation committees |
| Original scientific or scholarly research contributions | Findings others cite, adopt or build on |
| Authorship of scholarly books or articles | Books, or articles in journals with international circulation |
Teaching or research during a degree counts toward the 3 years only in limited cases. You must have earned the degree. You also must have had full responsibility for the class, or the research must be recognized as outstanding. A private employer’s research unit must employ at least 3 people full-time in research. Read EB-1B for outstanding professors.
Two university advantages
Cap-exempt H-1B and special PERM
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H-1B without the lottery
Universities and their related or affiliated nonprofits are exempt from the H-1B cap. So are nonprofit and government research organizations (INA 214(g)(5); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(F)). Another employer can also qualify you. At least half your work time must be at such an institution, furthering its mission.
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Leaving cap-exempt work
Were you never counted against the cap? Then a move to a private company usually needs a lottery selection. Plan this before you switch.
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Special PERM for college and university teachers
The employer can show you were chosen in a competitive search. You must have been found “more qualified than any of the United States workers who applied” (20 CFR 656.18). It needs at least one ad in a national professional journal, and filing within 18 months after selection.
Get started
Where academics usually start
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Check your job offer
Tenured, tenure-track or a permanent research role opens EB-1B. A term-limited postdoc usually does not.
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Count your experience
You need at least 3 years of teaching or research in the field for EB-1B.
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Map your record
Reviews, citations, prizes, press and books. Two criteria open EB-1B. Three open EB-1A.
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Watch the 18-month PERM window
If you were hired for teaching, ask HR when you were selected. Special PERM must be filed within 18 months.
FAQ
Questions people ask
It is EB-1B. Your employer files to show you are recognized internationally as outstanding. You need 2 of 6 criteria, 3 years of experience and a qualifying job offer.
Only with a qualifying job offer, such as a permanent research position. Research experience after your degree, such as a postdoc, can count toward the 3 years. Read EB-1A for postdocs.
Not for EB-1B, which needs an employer. You can file EB-1A or the EB-2 NIW yourself.
No. Universities and related nonprofits are cap-exempt under INA 214(g)(5) and 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(F). A petition is still needed.
It is a PERM option for college and university teachers. The employer documents its competitive search instead of running the usual recruitment, and files within 18 months of selection.
EB-1B skips labor certification and has premium processing of 15 business days. Visa number waits depend on your country and the visa bulletin.
See whether EB-1B or EB-1A fits your record
Upload your CV and see your standing on each criterion. No account or card. A partner-firm attorney confirms eligibility before anything is filed.
Sources · checked October 2026
- 8 CFR 204.5(i), Outstanding professors and researchers (Cornell LII)
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part F, Ch. 3, Outstanding Professor or Researcher (current as of Oct. 2, 2026)
- 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(F), H-1B cap exemptions (eCFR)
- 20 CFR 656.18, College and university teachers (Cornell LII)
- USCIS, H-1B Cap Season (updated 09/21/2026)
- USCIS, How Do I Request Premium Processing? (updated 03/23/2026)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; a partner-firm attorney confirms what applies to you before anything is filed.
