PERM labor certification is a process through the U.S. Department of Labor that requires an employer to test the U.S. labor market before sponsoring a foreign national for permanent residence in certain employment-based categories, typically EB-2 and EB-3. The employer must demonstrate that there are no able, willing, qualified, and available U.S. workers for the offered position at the prevailing wage. This involves specific recruitment steps, advertisements, and documentation. Only after PERM approval can the employer file Form I-140 on the worker’s behalf.

Department of Labor process where an employer proves that no available US workers can fill a job