PERM (Labor Certification)
PERM is the US Department of Labor (DOL) program for permanent labor certification. It is usually the first step in an employer-sponsored EB-2 or EB-3 green card, and it proves there are no able, willing, qualified, and available US workers for the job.
The main steps
- The employer gets a prevailing wage determination from DOL.
- It recruits: job ads, a state job order, and other steps set by the rules.
- If no qualified US worker applies, it files Form ETA-9089 with DOL.
- After certification, it files Form I-140 with USCIS.
The PERM filing date becomes your priority date. Some cases skip PERM, including national interest waiver and EB-1 cases, and Schedule A jobs.
See our PERM guide and the employer PERM page.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for PERM?
The employer must pay the costs of the labor certification, including recruitment and attorney fees for PERM.
How long does PERM take?
It varies. Prevailing wage and DOL review times change often; check the DOL FLAG processing times page.
Is PERM the same as the LCA?
No. The LCA is for H-1B and other temporary visas. PERM is for green cards.
Official sources
- DOL: Permanent labor certificationdol.gov
- DOL: FLAG systemflag.dol.gov
General information, not legal advice. NorthAmericans.com is independent and not affiliated with any government.