PERM Labor Certification
The first step in the employment-based green card process, the employer must prove to the Department of Labor that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position.
How It Works
PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) requires the employer to conduct a recruitment campaign to test the U.S. labor market. This includes placing job ads in newspapers, the employer's website, job boards, and other venues for at least 30 days. If no qualified U.S. worker applies and is rejected for lawful, job-related reasons, the employer files the PERM application with DOL. Processing times vary but typically take 6-18 months. PERM must be filed for the specific position, if the worker changes jobs, the new employer must start a new PERM process. Audit rates run about 30%, and audited cases take significantly longer.
Related Terms
- Green Card (Permanent Residency), Lawful permanent resident status in the United States, the ultimate goal for most H-1B workers, granting the right to live and work permanently without employer sponsorship.
- Prevailing Wage, The average wage paid to workers in a similar occupation in the same geographic area, employers must pay H-1B workers at least this amount to prevent undercutting U.S. wages.
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About This Definition
This definition is part of the H1BVisaTracker H-1B Visa Glossary, 26 terms explaining H-1B sponsorship, work visas, and employment-based immigration in the United States. Written for international workers, employers, and immigration professionals.