PERM Labor Certification

The foundation of most employer-sponsored green cards.

The PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) labor certification is the first step in most employer-sponsored green card processes. It demonstrates that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position. BBA Immigration manages the entire PERM process from strategy to approval.

Employers often delay PERM until a work visa is close to expiring. Starting earlier is usually the difference between a workable timeline and an impossible one.

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What Is PERM?

PERM is a Department of Labor (DOL) process requiring employers to test the U.S. labor market before sponsoring a foreign worker for a permanent position. The employer must demonstrate a good-faith effort to recruit U.S. workers and show that hiring the foreign worker won't adversely affect U.S. workers' wages or conditions. This is required for most EB-2 and EB-3 green card petitions (except for EB-2 NIW and Schedule A cases, which are exempt).

The PERM Process

BBA Immigration handles every step:

Prevailing Wage Determination — Request from DOL to establish the required salary (60–90 days)

Recruitment Campaign — Job ads, postings, and other recruitment steps required by DOL (30–60 days)

Recruitment Report — Document results and demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers applied

ETA 9089 Filing — Submit the PERM application electronically to DOL

DOL Review — Processing typically takes 6–12 months

Audit Preparation — If audited, we handle the response with thorough documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does PERM take?+

The entire PERM process typically takes 8–14 months: 2–3 months for the prevailing wage, 1–2 months for recruitment, and 6–12 months for DOL processing. Audit responses can add additional time.

What if the PERM is audited?+

Audits are routine and don't mean something is wrong. BBA Immigration prepares thorough documentation throughout the process so we're ready if an audit occurs.

Who pays for PERM?+

By law, the employer must pay all PERM-related costs, including attorney fees for the PERM application and recruitment advertising costs.

Related Practice Areas

EB-3 Visa EB-2 NIW For Employers

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