The short answer
PERM is how an employer shows the Department of Labor that no qualified U.S. worker is available for a job it wants to fill with a foreign worker. It involves a wage decision, a set recruitment period, and then a filing for certification.
What to know
- 1. The employer gets a prevailing wage determination for the job.
- 2. The employer runs the required recruitment, including ads.
- 3. The employer files the labor certification application.
- 4. After approval, the employer files Form I-140 with USCIS.
- Timing varies, and mistakes can cause long delays, so employers often use a lawyer.
For the exact rules, forms and fees, see the Department of Labor.
Visa Status is an unofficial site. This is general information in plain words, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change, so check the official website and your own papers. Written October 2026.