In order to apply for permanent residency as an outstanding researcher or professor, an applicant must show that he/she is internationally recognized for outstanding achievements. In addition, the applicant must obtain the full support of an employer, through an offer of full-time, permanent employment. The employer need not necessarily be a university or educational institution.
Immigrant Visas
One of the ways to obtain permanent resident status in the United States is through employment-based sponsorship. In fact, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows for up to 140,000 employment-based immigrants to enter the United States each year. Immigrant visa holders can live and work in the United States with few restrictions, and are eligible to apply for United States citizenship after having been a permanent resident for five years (or three years if based on marriage to a US citizen).
If you are a foreign national seeking permanent resident status in the United States through employment-based sponsorship, the following sections include additional information that may prove helpful: