PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management — it is the first step in most EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green card applications.
Purpose of PERM
To ensure hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact U.S. workers.
Employer must prove that no qualified, willing, and able U.S. workers are available for the job.
Who Needs It?
Required for EB-2 (except National Interest Waiver cases) and EB-3 green card categories.
Must be completed by the employer — not the employee.
1. Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD)
Employer submits a request to the Department of Labor (DOL).
DOL assigns a minimum wage the employer must offer based on:
Job location
Role
Experience & education required
Timeline: 2–3 months
2. Recruitment Process
Employer must test the U.S. labor market by advertising the job.
For professional jobs:
Mandatory Ads:
2 Sunday newspaper ads
State workforce agency job posting
Internal posting at worksite
Additional 3 steps (choose from):
Employer website
Job fairs
Recruiter
Trade/professional publications
Online job sites (e.g., Indeed, LinkedIn)
For non-professional jobs:
3 ads are typically sufficient (state agency + 2 newspaper ads)
3. Waiting Period
After recruitment ends, employer must wait 30 days (“cooling-off period”).
Allows time for U.S. applicants to respond.
4. Review & Documentation
Employer must:
Review all U.S. applicants
Document reasons for rejection (must be job-related)
Keep records for 5 years (in case of audit)
5. Filing ETA Form 9089
File online or by mail with the DOL.
Include:
Job details
Recruitment summary
Prevailing wage info
Employer attests (under penalty) that all rules were followed.
6. DOL Decision
Approval: Move to I-140 petition stage.
Audit: DOL requests more documentation.
Denial: Employer may appeal or refile.
Total Timeline
6 to 12 months, longer if audited.
Visit https://helpingreencard.com/ for comprehensive instructions, assistance, and the most recent information on applying for a green card from outside the United States and contact us at +91 8305233223.
Our staff is available to assist you at every stage!
