PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) process that certifies that a U.S. employer attempted to recruit American workers and could not find a qualified candidate for the role. It is the mandatory first step of the employment-based Green Card under EB-2 and EB-3.
Why does PERM exist?
Before sponsoring a foreign worker for a Green Card, the employer must prove to the U.S. government that the position does not displace a U.S. worker. PERM is precisely that labor-market test.
The employer runs a recruitment process (newspaper ads, internal posting, state workforce portal), evaluates U.S. applicants, and only then files the ETA Form 9089 — the official PERM application.
How long does it take?
As of mid-2026, the average PERM processing time is around 462–480 days (roughly 15–16 months) from the day the case is filed. The number is not fixed — it shifts with DOL backlog and your filing month.
Important: DOL processes cases by submission month (oldest first) and, within each month, alphabetically by sponsoring employer name. An employer starting with 'A' typically clears before a 'Z' employer filed the same month.
What comes after PERM?
Once PERM is certified, the employer has 180 days to file the I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) with USCIS. That petition requests formal recognition of EB-2 or EB-3 classification.
After I-140 approval, the path to the Green Card depends on your priority date and country of birth — both governed by the State Department's monthly Visa Bulletin.
Who pays for PERM?
By DOL regulation, every PERM cost (ads, fees, attorney for this stage) is the employer's obligation. Charging the employee for this phase is illegal and can invalidate the case.