Green Card Visiting Assistant Professor Jobs
Visiting Assistant Professor roles at U.S. universities can qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification, giving foreign academics a path to lawful permanent residency. Institutions file with the Department of Labor before petitioning USCIS, and per-country priority date backlogs mean early planning matters for green card sponsorship.
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Job Description
The Department of Physics at Fairfield University invites applications for a one-year, full-time Visiting Assistant Professor position beginning September 1, 2027 (pending final budget approval). This is a non-tenure-track position. This position normally covers physics courses for non-science major and algebra-/calculus-based General Physics lab courses.
About Fairfield University
Fairfield University is a comprehensive Jesuit and Catholic university that prepares students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world. Founded in 1942 in Fairfield, Connecticut, the University has grown from an initial class of 303 undergraduate male students admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences in 1947 into a coeducational university of approximately 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Along the way, the University has awarded more than 45,000 degrees since 1951 and has developed a reputation for educational excellence both regionally and nationally.
Requirements
Applicants are expected to have completed a Ph.D., or should expect to receive their PhD by August 2027, in physics or an allied field. Applicants must have a strong commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching and will preferably have some experience teaching physics at the undergraduate level. Additionally, we require the candidate to have strong communication skills and some experience using classroom/laboratory technology.
Additional Information
The department comprises seven full-time faculty representing a range of specialties and is housed in a spacious, well-equipped facility in the Bannow Science Center. Fairfield is a Primarily Undergraduate Institution, and our department offers a Bachelor of Science in Physics, preparing students for graduate school, and careers in health studies, education, and other STEM fields, to name a few. There is a vibrant culture of undergraduate student-faculty research and a growing institutional emphasis on STEM. The salary and benefits for the position are competitive. The Department is supported by two full-time staff, one of whom works closely with faculty teaching the General Physics I and II laboratories.
Application Instructions
For full consideration, please click “Apply Now” and upload the following materials by close of business on February 15, 2027:
- a curriculum vitae
- cover letter
- statement of teaching philosophy and interests
- a list of three references, including their contact information
Please ask your references to send letters of recommendation directly to the following email address: PhysicsSearch@fairfield.edu by close of business on February 15, 2027.
Anticipated hiring range: $104,514–$108,827 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Final compensation is determined by University policies and budget availability.
Category
Academic - Faculty Non-Tenure Track
Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.
Disclaimer
The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice. All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.
Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Eligible employees may receive health, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefits, and other benefits according to institutional policy.
Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.
Faculty Positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description.
Staff positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Visiting Assistant Professor
Align your credentials with EB-2 requirements
An earned doctorate or a master's degree plus five years of progressive academic experience qualifies you for EB-2. Gather official transcripts, degree certificates, and evidence of research output now, since PERM audits routinely request this documentation.
Target departments with active PERM history
Use Migrate Mate to search Visiting Assistant Professor roles at institutions with verified green card sponsorship history, so you're applying where PERM filings have actually been completed rather than guessing from job postings.
Understand how the PERM recruitment test works
Before filing PERM, your employer must run a formal recruitment process and document that no qualified U.S. workers applied. Visiting roles with fixed end dates can complicate this test, so confirm the department intends to convert the position to tenure-track before PERM is filed.
Check your country's priority date backlog early
Nationals from India and China face priority date backlogs that can delay green card issuance by years even after I-140 approval. Review the USCIS Visa Bulletin as soon as you receive a job offer to understand your realistic timeline before accepting.
Negotiate who covers PERM and I-140 fees
PERM labor certification and the I-140 petition are employer-paid filings under DOL and USCIS rules, but I-485 adjustment of status costs fall to you. Clarify this split in writing during offer negotiation, since visiting positions sometimes have restricted departmental budgets.
Preserve your priority date if you change institutions
Once your original employer's I-140 is approved, your priority date can transfer to a new employer's I-140 petition. AC21 job portability also protects you if your I-485 has been pending at least 180 days and the new role is in the same or a similar occupation.
Green Card Visiting Assistant Professor: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Visiting Assistant Professor position qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Yes, but the institution must demonstrate the role requires at least a bachelor's degree, and the position must be permanent or intended to become permanent. Visiting roles with fixed end dates are harder to sponsor under PERM because the job must be a bona fide, ongoing opening. Departments that use visiting appointments as a pipeline to tenure-track lines are better sponsorship candidates than those filling a temporary gap.
How does green card sponsorship through PERM differ from H-1B sponsorship for this role?
H-1B visa is a temporary work visa your employer sponsors for up to six years, while PERM is the first step toward lawful permanent residency. PERM requires the Department of Labor to certify that no qualified U.S. workers are available, followed by an I-140 immigrant petition and then adjustment of status or consular processing. There is no lottery for employment-based green cards, but per-country annual limits mean nationals from high-demand countries can face significant priority date backlogs before a green card is issued.
How do I find universities that have actually sponsored Visiting Assistant Professor roles for green cards?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified green card sponsorship history by occupation, so you can identify which institutions have completed PERM filings for academic roles rather than relying on job postings alone. This matters because many universities sponsor green cards selectively by department or funding availability, and finding one with a track record significantly improves your odds.
What happens to my green card case if I move to a different university before my I-485 is approved?
If your I-140 has been approved and your I-485 has been pending at least 180 days, AC21 job portability lets you change to a new employer in the same or a similar occupation without losing your place in line. Your priority date from the approved I-140 can also be carried to a new employer's petition. Switching institutions before those thresholds are met means restarting the PERM and I-140 process, though you can retain your original priority date once the first I-140 was approved.
Does the prevailing wage determination affect what salary a university can offer for a sponsored role?
Yes. Before filing PERM, your employer must obtain a prevailing wage determination from OFLC using the OFLC Wage Search tool, and the offered salary must meet or exceed that wage level for the specific occupation and location. Universities cannot offer below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position, which sometimes creates tension for visiting roles budgeted at adjunct or lecturer rates rather than assistant professor scales.