International Faculty

It is important to distinguish between a visa and an immigration status.

• Visa: A stamp placed in your passport by a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad, allowing travel to the U.S.
• Immigration Status: Your legal classification while in the U.S., reflected on your I-94 record.

The H-1B status is employer and job-specific and requires the sponsoring employer to file applications with the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). H-1B status provides work authorization for up to six years, typically in increments of three years.  

Chico State is not currently sponsoring faculty for H-1B work status if they are subject to the $100,000 fee established under the Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers issued on September 19, 2025. For faculty already in the United States who hold a valid nonimmigrant visa (such as F-1, J-1, or O-1), Chico State is able to consider filing a petition to change their status to H-1B because the fee does not apply. For sponsored faculty, their faculty position must meet the Department of Labor’s wage requirements, which align with the salary scales outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the CSU and the California Faculty Association. The international faculty member must also meet all job qualifications at the time the petition is filed with USCIS.

When Chico State sponsors faculty for H-1B work status, it retains immigration legal counsel to prepare and file its H-1B petitions and pays all related attorney fees and filing costs for the faculty member. As a professional courtesy, Chico State will petition for the dependents of H-1B employees for H-4 status in conjunction with the faculty member’s petition. However, the faculty member is responsible for paying the accompanying attorney fees, filing fees, and related costs. Qualifying H-4 members are the spouse and any unmarried children under 21 years of age of the principal H-1B status holder.

The Labor Condition Application (LCA), filed by Chico State, certifies equitable pay and conditions, the absence of labor disputes, and that the California Faculty Association has been notified of the new hire.

The Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD), filed by Chico State, determines the average wage for the position in the location of employment and ensures that hiring an international employee will not negatively affect U.S. workers.

Chico State pays the legal fees and filing costs associated with the LCA and PWD. Premium processing fees are paid by Chico State only when necessary for the faculty member's continued employment at the University. Otherwise, the faculty member may opt to cover the premium processing cost personally. 

The Permanent Labor Certification process verifies that no qualified U.S. worker was overlooked in favor of the international faculty member. The Department of Labor must approve the PERM application before the international faculty member can advance to the next step in the process.

Chico State submits evidence of recruitment efforts and must file the PERM application within 18 months of the job offer. As such, the PERM application process should be started as soon as possible after the international faculty member has been selected for the position.

Chico State pays the legal fees and costs related to the PERM process.

Premium processing fees are paid by Chico State only when necessary for the faculty member's continued employment at the University. Otherwise, the faculty member may opt to cover the premium processing cost personally.  

After PERM certification by the Department of Labor, an I-140 Immigrant Worker Petition must be filed within six (6) months of the approval date by the faculty member or their own attorney. The I-140 form establishes that Chico State is sponsoring the faculty member for a permanent, full-time position.

Unlike PERM-related costs, Chico State does not cover 1-140 fees. Faculty are responsible for:

• I-140 USCIS filing fees.
• Any attorney fees related to the I-140.

Premium processing fees are paid by Chico State only when necessary for the faculty member's continued employment at the University. Otherwise, the faculty member may opt to cover the premium processing cost personally.  

The final step in the permanent resident process is the filing of the I-485 Application to Adjust Status.  The I-485 application adjusts the faculty status to permanent resident. The filing time for the I-485 application depends on the PERM filing date and, for some, the applicant’s country of birth.

Chico State does not pay I-485 related legal or filing fees.

Premium processing fees are paid by Chico State only when necessary for the faculty member's continued employment at the University. Otherwise, the faculty member may opt to cover the premium processing cost personally.  

Once approved, the I-485 results in the issuance of a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), which allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. For replacement cards or additional information, visit the USCIS Green Card page.

USCIS offers premium processing for both H-1B and I-140 petitions, providing a response within 15 calendar days. The current fee is $2,805. Chico State covers this cost only if necessary for the faculty member’s continued employment at the University. Otherwise, faculty may choose to pay this fee personally to expedite processing.

Faculty are free to explore other visa options independently. The O-1 Visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement. See USCIS O-1 information.

Faculty are free to explore other visa options independently.  The EB-1B is for individuals with extraordinary ability and outstanding professors or researchers. See USCIS EB-1 information.

International employees in H-1B, TN, E-3, or O-1 status are eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). To apply, bring the following to your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office after one week in the U.S.:

• • Passport,
  • I-94 card or record,
  • I-797 Approval Notice (if applicable)
  • Offer letter (recommended)

For details and more information, visit the SSA's Request Social Security Number for the first time page. To find a SSA office near you, please visit SSA's Social Security Office Locator page.

Non-U.S. citizens with valid legal presence may apply for a REAL ID driver’s license or ID with California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). For individuals with temporary legal status, their REAL ID driver’s license or ID card will expire on the same date as their U.S. legal presence document, and they can receive a new card with a documented extension of their legal status.

For a list of required documents and more information, please see DMV's Real ID Info: Non-U.S. Citizens page. To find a DMV office near you, please see DMV's Locations page.

When traveling both in and out of the U.S., it is recommended that you carry original immigration/status documents (passport, I-94 print-out, H-1B approval notice, and job offer letter) with you. Chico State's immigration counsel handles employment-based matters only and cannot advise on travel.  It is strongly recommended that you consult your personal immigration attorney before leaving the U.S.

For additional international travel considerations, visit the CSU’s International Travel webpage.