PERM, which stands for Program Electronic Review Management, is a pathway to legal status for individuals who are not naturalized citizens of the United States through employer sponsorship. The PERM process is not limited to certain occupations, or limited to DACA recipients.
This blog gives an overview of information provided in a webinar about the PERM process hosted by Immigrants Rising. This webinar featured two guest speakers: Seung “Eli” Oh, a Critical Care Response Nurse at Stanford Hospital, who was granted a green card through the PERM process, and Leslie Ditrani, Esq, an immigration attorney and founder of Pathway for Immigrant Workers, a non-profit that provides pro bono services for undocumented workers seeking status through the PERM process. Below is a recap of the information shared through the webinar, and resources where you can learn more.
PERM is also known as “Labor Certification” and is the first step of the most common green card category. It is used by employers to sponsor an employee as a permanent resident. To be eligible to apply, individuals must be offered a job that is full-time and “permanent” (which means lasting more than a year with no fixed end date). The PERM process can be pursued for any type of job and is not restricted to certain occupations or fields. It is issued by the Department of Labor and therefore individuals from any state can participate in this process.
About the process:
- Time: the PERM process typically takes 2-3 years but can be longer for those born in China or India
- Cost: The range can be anywhere from $2,500 (form fees, advertising, background/screen checks) to $20,000 (premium processing and paying for a private attorney)
- The employer that is sponsoring the employee is required to pay for all fees related to the Department of Labor part of process
The PERM process is a multi-step process and can be stressful, but there is assistance out there. See the organizations below for more information and for help applying:
Immigrant Rising’s Webinar on PERMs: https://youtu.be/hqZ-y_DG8zA
Immigrant Rising’s Resource on PERMs: https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/getting-a-perm/
Organizations that provide assistance with applying for PERMs:
- American Immigration Lawyers Association: ailalawyer.com
- Curran, Berger & Kludt Immigration Law: cbkimmigration.com
- Pathway for Immigrant Workers: myimmigrantpathway.org
