Permanent Residency Petition Support

The request for CIRES/University of Colorado Boulder green card application support must first be directed to CIRES Human Resources (cireshr@colorado.edu) for review and approval before it can move forward with collaborative coordination between CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder ISSS (International Student and Scholar Services) Office. The initial request for application support on behalf of a CIRES employee must come directly from the CIRES supervisor.

An employee cannot request the University to undertake a green card application on behalf of the employee; only the department (CIRES) can request University assistance with a green card application from the campus ISSS Office, and CIRES can only do that "for the benefit of the University". Usually, CIRES does not undertake a green card application for an employee until the employee is in his/her fourth year of H eligibility and certain criteria are met. If those criteria are not met, then a permanent residency petition will not progress.

In applying for immigrant status for a prospective international faculty member or researcher, the University undertakes a considerable responsibility under immigration laws. Departments, including CIRES, must exercise care to use the employment authority of the University to obtain immigration benefits for foreign nationals only when it is consistent with the University's goals, programs, and standards and within the intent of immigration law.

In the event that CIRES supports a permanent residency petition, there are two possible routes for green card application sponsorship. CIRES, in collaboration with the campus ISSS Office, determine the appropriate route. The most common route, if the employee qualifies, is Outstanding Professor or Researcher.  Labor Certification is not normally used.

Outstanding Professor Researcher
Labor Certification

Questions can be directed to Janet Garcia, CIRES International Employee Specialist: janet.garcia@colorado.edu