PERM Labor Certification Attorney
The PERM labor certification is the first step in sponsoring an employee for a green card. We guide employers through every phase — from prevailing wage to DOL approval — nationwide.
What Is PERM Labor Certification?
What this means for you
The foundation of your employee's green card. PERM proves to the Department of Labor that no qualified U.S. worker is available — and getting every step right protects the months of work and the green card that follow.
PERM is the Department of Labor process that underpins most EB-2 and EB-3 green cards. The employer obtains a prevailing wage, tests the U.S. labor market through regulated recruitment, and documents that no minimally qualified U.S. worker applied.
Because recruitment cannot be redone after filing, precision matters enormously — a single avoidable error can derail months of effort. We coordinate the employer's obligations and the worker's documentation so the case holds up.
The Atlas advantage
Work directly with your attorney
Same-day response guarantee
Flat fees, no surprises
What PERM Requires
A PERM case must satisfy several core requirements the DOL examines closely:
A Real, Permanent Role
Full-time and genuine.
- A permanent, full-time position that exists when the green card issues.
- Requirements consistent with industry norms — not tailored to one worker.
- An accurate, defensible job description.
The Prevailing Wage
Paid from the priority date.
- At least the DOL prevailing wage for the role and location.
- Documented employer ability to pay it.
- A supportable wage level that avoids audits.
A Genuine Labor Market Test
Real, documented recruitment.
- A compliant recruitment campaign.
- A recruitment report evaluating U.S. applicants.
- Proof no minimally qualified U.S. worker was available.
Thinking about sponsoring an employee for a green card? We'll map the PERM path and timeline for your role.
How We Protect Your PERM
The three things that make or break a PERM case are wage, recruitment, and audit readiness — here is how we handle each:
Prevailing Wage Strategy
An unsupported wage level is one of the top causes of PERM delays and audits.
How we help: We request a defensible level tied to an accurate job description, and evaluate redetermination if it comes back high.
Compliant Recruitment
Recruitment must follow strict timing and documentation rules — and cannot be redone after filing.
How we help: We manage every advertisement, the job order, and the notice of filing so the test withstands scrutiny.
Audit Readiness
The DOL audits roughly 30–40% of PERM applications, some at random.
How we help: We document recruitment so an audit response is straightforward — and we handle the response if one arrives.
The PERM Timeline
PERM involves multiple agencies and strict compliance. Here is what to expect at each stage:
- 1
Prevailing Wage Determination
We request the DOL wage that sets the minimum for the role and location — commonly a few months.
- 2
Recruitment
We run the required job order, advertisements, and notice of filing to test the labor market (about 2–3 months).
- 3
Recruitment Report
We document all efforts and evaluate U.S. applicants, observing the 30-day quiet period.
- 4
ETA Form 9089 Filing
We file the PERM application with the DOL; decisions commonly take several months, longer if audited.
Why Trust Atlas Immigration Law with Your PERM
PERM is unforgiving — recruitment errors are the leading cause of denials and cannot be fixed after filing. Disciplined, well-documented work is the only real protection. Our team removes the guesswork:
Work directly with your attorney
No call centers, no handoffs — the lawyer building your case is the one you talk to.
Flat fees, known up front
You agree on the full cost before we start. No hourly billing, no surprises.
Same-day response
Questions during your case get a reply the same business day.
From the prevailing wage through DOL approval, we manage the timing and documentation that keep your green card sponsorship on track — and respond decisively if the case is audited.
Recruitment: The Labor Market Test
The DOL requires a good-faith recruitment effort to test whether qualified U.S. workers are available. It must be completed precisely and documented thoroughly:
- A job order with the State Workforce Agency (30 days).
- Two print advertisements in a Sunday newspaper.
- A Notice of Filing posted at the job site (10 days).
- Three additional recruitment steps for professional positions.
- Campus placement, job fairs, and trade websites where applicable.
Advertisements must run on specific days, the job order must be active for exactly 30 days, and every applicant response must be documented — errors here are the most common cause of denial.
Handling DOL Audits
Random Audit
The DOL selects some applications at random. We submit the full recruitment file and supporting documentation.
Targeted Audit
Triggered by a specific concern — unusual requirements or layoffs. We add business-necessity evidence.
Supervised Recruitment
The DOL directs new recruitment under its supervision. We manage strict compliance with its instructions.
PERM is the gateway to an employment green card — see our employment-based green card overview for EB-2 and EB-3.
Common Questions
PERM FAQs
The complete PERM process typically takes 12-18 months from start to finish, including the prevailing wage determination (2-6 months), recruitment (2-3 months), and DOL processing (6-12 months). Audits can add 6-12 additional months.
Ready to sponsor your employee?
Let's navigate the PERM process with confidence. Schedule a consultation to discuss your green card sponsorship. It's completely free.