I am an assistant professor, not tenure-track, but my institution says it can keep me indefinitely. Does that work for EB-1B?

Yes, your situation may qualify under EB-1B. What the category requires is not the tenure-track label, but rather that the job offer be permanent or of indefinite duration. If the institution commits to retaining you without a fixed end date, that generally satisfies the permanence requirement.

EB-1B is the pathway for outstanding professors and researchers, and it has two pillars that must stand together: a stable offer from a U.S. institution and documented international recognition in your field. A solid offer alone is not enough if the record of outstanding achievement is not well supported.

In your scenario, two steps are particularly helpful:

• Ask the institution to provide a letter or document describing the position as permanent or of indefinite duration, rather than a fixed-term contract.
• Gather evidence of your recognition, such as publications, citations, awards, speaking invitations, and peer evaluations.

Each petition is evaluated individually, and how the evidence is presented matters as much as the substance itself. It is worth verifying the current requirements with USCIS and reviewing your profile with an immigration specialist before filing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.