Immigration

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Due to the recent events and tensions between the United States and Iran, it is highly recommended that foreign nationals from Iran who are in non-immigration status such as F-1, J-1, H1-B, etc., including permanent residents and naturalized Iranian citizens NOT travel outside the United States, at this time. If you do travel outside the United States you and any family members traveling with you will likely be subject to secondary inspections including interrogation regarding your immigration status, permanent residency or citizenship. Questions may include detailed information about family members in the U.S. and Iran, if anyone is or was in the military or involved in the on-going conflict in Middle East and your views about the situation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel can inspect without your permission your mobile phone, computer, tablet, or any other electronic devices at their discretion. CPB may search your device and access your email and screen your social media activity (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, ect.) during the inspection process and have the right to do so without your permission. Your cell phone, laptop, or other electronic device may be held and returned to you at a later date at CBP’s discretion. You may be detained for several hours before a decision is made on whether to allow you to return to the U.S. or your admission could be denied.

If you are detained or your admission is denied, you may contact one of the attorneys listed here.

If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident, please review the Know Your Rights document.

If you have any questions, please contact vpgc@iu.edu.

Immigration Services

Our office works closely with the Office of International Services (OIS) and the Office of International Affairs (OIA) to serve the University’s international students, scholars, and professionals. Specifically, per applicable University policy, upon approval from the employing unit, our office will receive referrals from OIS to provide assistance with certain immigration petitions for qualified full-time employees who currently hold a temporary visa. Individual departments may not work independently with an outside attorney in cases involving a University-sponsored petition.

Our office will work closely with your unit to facilitate the permanent residency petition (PERM) process. The following are a few important things to know:

If your position is defined as temporary by the University, you are not eligible for an employment-based petition for permanent residency.
Your request to pursue employment-based permanent residency must be approved by both your department chair or director and the head of the relevant responsibility center on campus.
You must have been in your current position or in a University position closely related to the current position for a full year before the initial request is submitted. There are certain academic appointees that are exempt from this rule but you must have been formally hired by the University. Additionally, there may also be an exception made if you are nearing the end of your eligible nonimmigrant visa status.

If you have any questions regarding our immigration services, please contact vpgc@iu.edu.

Fees for Immigration Services

As of July 1, 2022, our current fees for immigration cases handled by our office is as follows:

$750 for each I-485 beneficiary petition
$750 for each N-400 Naturalization petition
$1,500 for each I-130/I-485 family-based petition

NOTE: Government filing fees, medical exam fees, and shipping costs are additional and not included in the above rates.