Permanent Resident Immigrant Status (Including Refugees and Asylees)

Table of Contents

Type(s) of Payments Allowed
Length of Stay
Tax Liability/Withholding
Forms Needed for Non-Payroll Payments (Non-employees paid through Accounting Services)
Forms Required for Payroll Payments (Employees paid through Human Resource System (HRS)
Can the UW Sponsor a Permanent Residency Application for Non-Employment Purposes?
Can the UW Sponsor a Permanent Residency Application for Employment Purposes?

Type(s) of Payments Allowed

    • Any employment and non-employment payments (services, rents, royalties, research subjects, etc.).
    • For payment purposes treat Permanent Residents the same as U.S. Citizens or U.S. Person (U.S. Person).
    • Note:  Refugees and Asylees are eligible for employment and other payments in the same way that permanent residents are.

Length of Stay

    • Indefinite

Tax Liability/Withholding

  • Federal:  same as U.S. citizens
  • State:  same as U.S. citizens

Forms Needed for Non-Payroll Payments (Non-employees paid through Accounting Services)

  • same as U.S. citizens
  • To comply with proper business and audit documentation practices, the UW requires that a copy of the form I-551 (Permanent Resident card which is also commonly called the "green card") or "processed for I-551" stamp in passport be attached to the payment request form (PIR, etc.).

Forms Required for Payroll Payments (Employees paid through Human Resource System (HRS)

  • Form I-551, Resident Alien card ("green card") or "processed for I-551" stamp in passport. 
  • Contact you Dean’s Office Payroll Representative for additional documentation required for completing the I-9 Verification and other required documents to set up the employee on the Human Resources System (HRS).

Can the UW Sponsor a Permanent Residency Application for Non-Employment Purposes?

  • No. The UW may only sponsor Permanent Residency Applications for employment purposes.

Can the UW Sponsor a Permanent Residency Application for Employment Purposes?

  • UW-Madison has a very clearly defined policy stating for whom it will sponsor a permanent residence application.  Please contact the office of Internal Faculty and Staff Services (IFSS) for details.
  • Note: In the case of a tenured position, permanent residence is the only option, as non-immigrant status is not appropriate.
  • Applications for permanent residence (immigrant status) may only be filed for positions that are considered to be permanent.  INS defines a permanent position as one that is tenured, on the tenure track, or "for a term of indefinite or unlimited duration, and in which the employee will ordinarily have an expectation of continued employment unless there is good cause for termination."  In general, a position must be full time, permanent, offer the prevailing wage and require professional level skills to qualify for permanent residence.
  • Length of Time to Process Application for Permanent Residency

Approximately one year

  • Special Conditions

Applying for permanent residence is a lengthy process involving two or three government agencies.  A person currently in the U.S. must maintain a valid non-immigrant status throughout the entire process.  Please contact the office of Internal Faculty and Staff Services (IFSS) for details.

  • Required Documents Summary

Department Request Form

Dean's or Director's Authorization

Documentation of Recruitment Process

Documentation of Applicant's Qualifications (Please contact the office of Internal Faculty and Staff Services (IFSS) for details)