A university professor or researcher holding an advance degree such as a master’s degree or PhD qualifies for an EB-2 green card category provided he or she has a job offer and a PERM or labor certification unless he or she can apply under National Interest Waiver category.

A - Requirements

1. The foreign national must hold a master’s degree or a PhD obtained in the US or the equivalent foreign degree
2. Job offer
3. PERM or labor certification unless he or she can apply under the National Interest Waiver (NIW) category.  University professors and researchers with some teaching duties fall under a special PERM category that allows Universities to file the PERM within 18 months after the foreign national has been selected and reuse some of the material from the recruitment process if it meets the requirements of the law. This shortens the process.  For more details, please go to our specialized PERM section.

B- Remarks

1. Normally there is an immediate green card available for this category depending on the country of origin.  For green card availability please check the Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html
2. This category requires a low standard of proof as the applicant must only prove that he or she holds an advanced degree.