Practice areas
PERM: the recruitment step most employment green cards start with
Prevailing wage determinations, recruitment and ETA-9089 filings.
Consultations by phone, Zoom or WhatsApp, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Short answer
PERM is the Department of Labor process where an employer proves no qualified U.S. worker is available for the role before sponsoring a foreign worker for a green card. It has three stages, prevailing wage, recruitment, and the ETA-9089 filing, and currently takes around 12 to 18 months. Errors in the recruitment stage are the most common cause of denial.
Complete the labor certification stage without a costly audit.
Permanent labor certification (PERM)
Work with our PERM labor certification attorney to get your job-based green card application started the right way, without delays or surprises.
Why work with our attorneys for a PERM labor certification?
PERM is one of the first and most important steps in many employment-based green card cases. It's how a U.S. employer proves that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the job, and that hiring a foreign worker won't negatively affect the local labor market. In most EB-2 and EB-3 cases, PERM is a required step before the employer can file the I-140 petition with USCIS. At 360 Immigration Law Group, we help employers and workers in Coral Springs and across South Florida to get through the PERM process with clear direction.
- What You Gain & How We Help
We walk you through PERM timelines, recruitment rules, and employer obligations before anything is filed.
From posting job ads to DOL filings, we make sure every part of the process is handled correctly.
- Support for Employers and Workers
We work with both U.S. companies and foreign workers to meet deadlines and avoid missteps.
- Types of Jobs That Require PERM Certification
PERM is required for most EB-2 and EB-3 green card applications that involve a permanent job offer. These can include:
- Registered nurses and other healthcare workers
- Skilled trades (welders, electricians, plumbers)
- Engineers, IT professionals, architects
- Administrative and accounting roles
- Chefs, cooks, and restaurant staff
If the job offer is permanent, full-time, and not temporary or seasonal, it likely falls under PERM, even if the worker is already in the U.S. on another visa.
Not sure if your job requires PERM?
We'll help you find out and avoid unnecessary delays.
- PERM Labor Certification Requirements
Before a PERM application can be filed, several steps must be completed by the employer. Requirements include:
- Permanent Full-Time Job Offer
The employer must offer a permanent, full-time position, not contract or temporary work.
- Prevailing Wage Determination
The employer must request a wage determination from the Department of Labor (DOL) to find the standard wage for the job in that location.
- Recruitment & Advertising
The job must be advertised in specific ways to test the labor market and show that no qualified U.S. workers applied.
After recruitment is complete, the employer electronically submits Form 9089 to the DOL.
The worker does not file this form; the employer is responsible for the entire PERM certification process.
Need help preparing a compliant PERM application?
We work directly with both employers and sponsored workers to keep everything accurate and on schedule.
- The PERM Application Process
Here's how the PERM certification process typically works:
1. Prevailing Wage Request Employer submits a request to the DOL for the official wage level.
2. Job Recruitment Employer runs required ads (print, online, state job board) and tracks recruitment responses.
3. Recruitment Report The employer prepares a report explaining why no qualified U.S. workers were hired.
4. ETA Form 9089 Filing Employer files the application online through the DOL system.
5. DOL Review & Decision DOL processes the case and either certifies, audits, or denies the application.
Because PERM is a technical, employer-driven process, it's easy to misstep, especially with recruitment timelines and documentation. Contact us if:
- You're an employer unfamiliar with PERM or DOL recruitment rules
- You're a worker relying on your employer to get it right
- You've experienced a prior denial or audit
- You need to meet deadlines for an EB-2 or EB-3 green card case
We help keep your application on track so one error doesn't delay your future.
Ready to start the PERM application process?
Whether you're sponsoring a worker or being sponsored yourself, we're here to help make the PERM process less stressful and more successful.
- Contact Our Coral Springs Office Today
How long does it take to get a work permit?
Processing times vary, but most initial EAD applications take 3-7 months. Renewals may be faster.
Can I renew my work permit before it expires?
Yes, and you should. You can apply to renew your EAD up to 180 days before the current one expires.
What if my work permit is delayed?
If you've been waiting more than the normal timeframe, you can request an update or expedited review. We can help escalate the case if needed.
Who qualifies?
The employer has a permanent, full-time role
Temporary or contract roles do not qualify.
The employer can pay the prevailing wage
Determined by the Department of Labor for the occupation and location.
The requirements are the normal ones for the job
Tailored requirements draw audits and denials.
The employee meets the requirements as stated
And met them before joining the employer, in most cases.
Schedule a case evaluation
Tell us your situation. We will tell you honestly whether you have a case.
Schedule Free Case EvaluationWe reply within 1 business day, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Do you qualify? A four-question check
Do you qualify? A four-question check
Four questions for employers and sponsored employees.
What does the process look like?
Prevailing wage determination
5 to 8 months
Filed with the Department of Labor and the number governs everything after it.
Recruitment
60 to 90 days
Job order, print advertisements and additional steps, with a mandatory quiet period.
File the ETA-9089
Filing week
Filed after recruitment closes, with the audit file assembled and ready.
Certification or audit
6 to 12 months
Certified cases proceed to the I-140.
How long does it take?
PERM currently runs about 12 to 18 months from prevailing wage request to certification, and longer if the case is audited. The priority date is set on the day the ETA-9089 is filed, which is why starting early matters even when the queue is long.
What does it cost?
Employer-paid by regulation; quoted as a flat fee.
Federal rules require the employer to pay the PERM legal fees and advertising costs. We quote the stage flat and give the employer an advertising budget estimate at the start.
Frequently asked questions
Unusual job requirements, a foreign language requirement, a layoff in the same occupation, or random selection.
Contact
Tell us about your case
Send us the basics and we'll reply within one business day in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- We reply within one business day, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- Consultations by phone, Zoom or WhatsApp.
- Attorney input is part of our case evaluation process from the start. The information you share is carefully reviewed with an attorney.
Take the Next Step Today
Whether you need help with a visa, a green card, or deportation defense, we're ready to help.
Reach out to our trusted immigration law attorneys in Coral Springs and South Florida.