PERM

PERM is the Permanent Labor Certification Program. Most employers must complete itas a first step for employment based permanent residence. In this process the Department of Labor certifies that there are no qualified workers available to fill the position offered.

The process involves a request for a prevailing wage, followed by recruitment to fill the position with a qualified US worker. The recruitment process depends on whether the position is professional or nonprofessional.

Once the recruitment is completed, an application is filed with the US Department of Labor. Once certified, an application is filed with USCIS on form I-140 for an immigrant visa under the EB-2 or EB-3 category.

The PERM process is controlled solely by the sponsoring employer and is a prerequisite to most of the employment based applications for permanent residence.