I am on EB-1B. My teaching contract is a 1-year renewable term. Is it ‘permanent’?

The EB-1B visa is a United States permanent residence category intended for outstanding professors and researchers. This means that, ultimately, the EB-1B visa grants ‘green card’ status, allowing the person to live and work permanently in the country. However, this does not mean that the employment contract with the educational institution must have lifelong characteristics from the outset.

In your case, having a 1-year renewable teaching contract can be acceptable for the EB-1B, as long as the renewal is demonstrated as something consistently ongoing and that the job offer is recognized as a position that extends into the future – or, formally, considered a ‘permanent job offer’. Many educational institutions use fixed-term contracts even for positions that, in practice, are long-term.

What matters is to demonstrate that there is an expectation of job continuity and that the offered position is not temporary. It is crucial to remember that each case is evaluated individually, and the way USCIS interprets the ‘permanent’ nature of employment may depend on specific details provided in the petition.

Therefore, it is essential to gather documentation that demonstrates both professional excellence and the ongoing nature of the job offer, even if the contract is annually renewable. It is always very important to strictly follow U.S. immigration laws and rely on trustworthy sources to clarify doubts, avoiding scams or miraculous promises of quick results.

Accurate information and guidance help build a secure process in compliance with the country’s requirements. Each situation has its particularities and relevant details. Hence, being cautious and seeking specialized support, without promising results or guarantees, is essential to avoid future complications.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.