UCLA will sponsor permanent resident status only for an individual of exceptional ability who has been offered a full-time, permanent position as a faculty member, or a researcher or other professional who is critical to UCLA's academic and research mission. Examples of payroll titles eligible for sponsorship are ladder faculty titles and academic research titles.

Obtaining employment-based permanent resident status requires either that UCLA initially obtain labor certification for a position from the U.S. Department of Labor, or that UCLA show the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that the employee and the job offer qualify in one of the categories which are exempt from labor certification. "Outstanding professor or researcher" is a labor certification-exempt category. To get this classification, a person must generally have a doctoral degree, outstanding publications, laudatory letters of recommendation from prominent scientists in the field, etc.

If UCLA sponsors an employee in the categories "advanced degree holder" or "member of the professions," then labor certification is required, and specific recruitment activities are carried out by the department. For faculty members, UCLA must show that there are no U.S. workers available who are equally qualified as the person for whom labor certification is sought. For all other employees, UCLA must show that there are no U.S. workers available who are minimally qualified for the position.

UCLA policy requires that an outside attorney be retained to assist with permanent resident cases. The Dashew Center will provide counseling in determining strategy for a case and selecting an attorney; review documents prepared by the attorney; ensure compliance with UCLA’s policy, procedure, and format; obtain university signatures; and provide status reports.

For information about UCLA sponsorship for permanent resident status, please contact Sylvia Ottemoeller by phone (310-825-1681) or email to initiate the process.

*For positions with the School of Medicine, contact Joan Grace R. Cerera at JCerera@mednet.ucla.edu.