Understanding the PERM process can feel like trying to track a moving target. Processing times shift. Rules change. Employers and employees often feel stuck waiting for clarity.
And yet, every green card case built on employment must pass through these exact stages. Here you’ll find a step-by-step PERM application process explanation so both employers and employees know what to expect.
To make things clearer, this guide walks you through the PERM processing stages from the moment an employer decides to sponsor someone until the approval finally arrives. You’ll see where delays happen, what each step means, and how the entire green card PERM workflow fits together.
Overview of the PERM Labor Certification Process
At its core, the PERM labor certification exists to show that no qualified U.S. worker is being pushed aside for the job offered to the foreign worker. That’s the heart of the system.
But the paperwork, the timing, and the strict compliance rules make this path more complicated than it sounds. You’ll see terms like PERM process steps, DOL labor certification stages, and recruitment requirements. All of them point to one idea: proving fairness before moving forward with immigration.
This process runs through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). And until the DOL certifies the ETA Form 9089, nothing else—no I-140, no adjustment—can begin.
Stage 1: Employer Preparation and Recruitment
Every PERM case starts long before a form is filed. Employers need to define the job, confirm requirements, and set a wage that meets the DOL’s standards.
That wage comes from the prevailing wage determination, and no employer can skip it. These early tasks are the core employer steps in the PERM process, and none should be rushed or skipped.
Once the wage is confirmed, recruitment begins. This is the part most people feel nervous about, because the entire PERM recruitment timeline must follow exact rules. Ads must run in specific places. Job orders must stay open for a set number of days. Everything has to be documented, from results to résumés to interview notes.
Recruitment also forces employers to slow down and evaluate every U.S. worker who applies. If someone meets the minimum requirements, the case can’t continue.
During this stage, employers often gather translation support too. Many reach out to professionals who handle immigration documents, because even a small error can trigger a denial. Some businesses rely on services like those offered for immigration document translation or legal document translation to keep everything clean and accurate.
Recruitment ends only after the employer has completed each mandatory step and waited through the cooling-off period. Only then can the case move on.
Stage 2: Filing the ETA Form 9089
After recruitment, the employer prepares the ETA Form 9089. This is the official PERM application.It’s reviewed line by line by the Department of Labor, which means every detail has to match the job, the ads, and the offered wage.
People often underestimate how sensitive this stage is.A spelling error, a wrong date, an unchecked box—any of these can cause major setbacks. Errors cannot be fixed once the form is filed. That’s why employers move slowly here, reviewing every field and every document before clicking submit.
Once the ETA Form 9089 is officially filed, the waiting begins. This is where many employees wonder what happens after PERM filing, and the answer is simple: nothing, except waiting for the DOL to pick up the case.
The DOL’s timelines change constantly, which is why staying updated matters. But once the case is in the queue, the next stage is out of the employer’s hands.
Stage 3: DOL Review and Audit Process
This is the most unpredictable part of the road.
Once the DOL starts reviewing the case, officers look for accuracy, and compliance with regulations. Many cases pass straightforwardly. Others get selected for audits. An audit is not always a sign that something is wrong. Some cases are chosen randomly. Others are selected because the job requirements or recruitment results raise questions.
The audit stage in PERM certification can extend the timeline dramatically. Employers must submit all recruitment evidence, copies of ads, documentation of results, and internal notes. Everything has to prove that the company followed the rules exactly.
If the audit file is clean, the case moves forward. If the DOL finds inconsistencies, it may ask for more evidence, deny the case, or, in some situations, issue supervised recruitment. And supervised recruitment is as slow as it sounds.
The DOL essentially takes over the entire recruitment process and requires every step to be approved before moving forward.
During this period, many employers also rely on language or interpreting support for communications with agencies, especially when they are juggling large amounts of evidence. Some even work with USCIS interpreting services if their company handles immigration cases regularly.
But once the audit is resolved, the case returns to the normal queue.
Stage 4: PERM Approval and Next Steps
Once a case gets to this point, the timeline for PERM approval stages becomes much more predictable. Things get back up to speed once the PERM is greenlit. The employee can begin making plans for their future immigration milestones while their employer files the I-140 petition.
Approval means the Department of Labor agrees that the job was offered fairly and that no available U.S. worker was displaced. It doesn’t guarantee a green card yet, but it unlocks the door.
If the employee’s priority date is current, the next stages can happen quickly. If not, the wait shifts to the visa bulletin instead of the DOL. Some employers also prepare additional documents at this stage.
Many return to translation services—especially immigration document translation—because every supporting document must be exact when filing the I-140 or adjustment application later on.
The PERM approval is often the biggest relief in the entire process, because the most unpredictable stage is over.
FAQ
What are the main stages of the PERM process?
Employer planning and hiring, ETA Form 9089 filing, DOL review and possible audits, final PERM approval, and subsequent immigration procedures are the primary phases.
How long does each stage of PERM take?
Timelines vary widely. Recruitment alone takes around two to three months. DOL review can take several more months. Audits can add significant delays. There is no fixed timeline.
What happens if my PERM case is audited?
The employer must submit full recruitment documentation to the Department of Labor. The review becomes longer and more detailed, but cases can still be approved if everything is compliant.
Can the employer correct errors after submission?
No. Once ETA Form 9089 is submitted, it cannot be corrected. Any error may require re-filing.
What follows after PERM approval?
The employer can file the I-140 petition, and the employee follows the green card path based on their priority date and visa category.
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