PERM Labor Certification Process Explained

What is PERM?

PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the process for obtaining labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL), the first step in most employment-based green card applications.

Step 1: Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD)

The employer requests a prevailing wage from the DOL National Prevailing Wage Center.

• Processing time: 6-8 months
• Determines the minimum salary required

Step 2: Recruitment

The employer must recruit for the position to test the U.S. labor market:

• Place a job order with the State Workforce Agency (30 days)
• Place 2 Sunday newspaper ads
• Place 3 additional recruitment steps (for professional positions)
• Wait 30 days after recruitment

Step 3: File ETA Form 9089

Submit the PERM application to the DOL.

• Must be filed within 180 days of the recruitment end date
• Processing time: 6-12 months

Step 4: File I-140 (Immigrant Petition)

After PERM approval, the employer files Form I-140 with USCIS.

• Processing time: 6-12 months
• Premium processing available for some categories

Step 5: File I-485 (Adjustment of Status)

Once the priority date is current, you can file for adjustment of status.

• Processing time: 8-14 months

Total Timeline

The entire PERM to green card process takes 2-4 years depending on:

• Your country of birth (priority date backlog)
• PERM processing times
• I-140 processing times