Employment-Based Permanent Residency
Winthrop University is committed to attracting and retaining high quality and diverse faculty. Toward that end, the University strives to support a community of faculty members who are globally engaged and globally minded. While the decision to live and work in the United States permanently belongs with the individual and not the employer, Winthrop supports and values the contributions of faculty members from around the world.
All colleges, divisions, departments, units, offices at Winthrop University
| Policy Number: | 4.36 |
| Effective Date: | 01/12/2018 |
| Date Reviewed: | 01/12/2018 |
| Last Review Date: | |
| Responsible Official: | Director of the International Center |
| Responsible Office: | Human Resources, Employee Diversity and Wellness |
| Contact Information: |
303 Tillman Hall Rock Hill, SC 29733, USA 803/323-2273 803/323-4861 (fax) HRhelp@winthrop.edu |
1.0 Specific meanings of bold terms seen throughout this policy can be found within the University's policy definition glossary by following the link below.
Winthrop University is committed to attracting and retaining high quality and diverse faculty. Toward that end, the University strives to support a community of faculty members who are globally engaged and globally minded. While the decision to live and work in the United States permanently belongs with the individual and not the employer, Winthrop supports and values the contributions of faculty members from around the world.
Statement of Policy:
Winthrop University will consider sponsorship requests for employment-based permanent residency (PR) for faculty members whose positions are full-time, permanent in nature, and tenure-track. Special circumstances may be considered with the prior approval of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs/Office of the President. The University has sole discretion in determining whether to pursue employment-based permanent residency. Additionally, University sponsorship is valid for the faculty member being employed and does not include spouses or dependents. The hiring department may request that Winthrop University initiate the employment-based permanent residency process for new hires who have been selected through a competitive process no earlier than six months after the new hire's start date.
Where possible, PR cases for teaching faculty may be processed under the “special handling” labor certification regulations (20 CFR 656.18). Hiring departments should note that this “special handling” of the PR sponsorship process must be started within 18 months of the date of the offer letter in order to take advantage of the special handling provisions. All other Department of Labor and Department of State requirements must be met as well. The hiring department is responsible for adhering to this date and should consult with the International Center and the Division of Human Resources, Employee Diversity and Wellness to determine an appropriate timeline for “special handling” processing for teaching faculty.
The sponsored tenure-track faculty member must meet the required qualifications of the position and must be deemed by the hiring department to be the most qualified candidate as part of a competitive recruitment and selection process. In those instances when the University sponsors a tenure-track faculty member for PR, there is no guarantee that the request will be approved by the U.S. federal government. The PR process is dependent upon a variety of government agencies, employee eligibility, and factors often outside the control of the University. University sponsorship of PR for tenure-track faculty members does not impact the sponsored faculty member’s at-will or other employment status at the University.
Winthrop University will utilize outside legal counsel to advise the University with the process of sponsoring our foreign national tenure-track faculty members for Permanent Resident Status in the U.S. To be in compliance with federal regulations, the hiring department is required to pay any necessary legal and filing fees associated with the PR process. Please see the Fee Schedule on the International Center’s website for more detailed information.
Should USCIS make any changes or updates related to employment-based permanent residency, the Winthrop University Employment-Based Permanent Residency policy will follow those regulations as required by federal law.
THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT A CONTRACT BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND WINTHROP UNIVERSITY, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE ANY CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS OR ENTITLEMENTS. WINTHROP UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. NO PROMISES OR ASSURANCES, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THIS PARAGRAPH CREATE ANY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
Winthrop University (via the International Center) will work closely with legal counsel on employment-based permanent residency sponsorship. Additionally, the hiring department will have specific responsibilities as part of a successful process. As part of these responsibilities, the hiring department will:
o As required by U.S. labor law, hiring departments are responsible for paying for all costs associated with national advertising and recruitment for the vacant position.
o Per federal law, costs related to the filing of permanent resident petitions must be paid by the hiring department and may not be paid or reimbursed by the employee.
o The responsibility for payment for any other expenditures and filing fees associated with the PR process will be negotiated between the employee and hiring department.
o Departments must refer to the Fee Schedule information on the International Center’s website for specific details related to required fees/costs associated with the PR process.
Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Contact Winthrop’s International Center or the Division of Human Resources, Employee Diversity and Wellness for more detailed information.
Winthrop International Center:
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