Employer-Sponsored Green Card

EB-2 & EB-3 PERM Green Card Through Your Employer

If a U.S. employer offers you a permanent job, it can sponsor your green card through PERM labor certification, then Form I-140 and the final stage. PERM takes longer than NIW and ties you to the sponsor until the green card, but it works for many roles that NIW does not.

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3

Main PERM stages before I-140

1

Employer sponsor required

2

Categories: EB-2 and EB-3

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Overview

How employer-sponsored green cards work

PERM is the Department of Labor process that proves no qualified, willing U.S. worker is available for the job your employer is offering you.

After PERM is certified, your employer files Form I-140 in EB-2 (advanced-degree jobs) or EB-3 (bachelor's, skilled or other worker jobs). Then you complete the final stage once your priority date is current.

PERM requires an employer that commits to sponsor you, and the process typically takes longer than EB-2 NIW. For many professionals, NIW is faster and gives more freedom.

Eligibility

Who qualifies for EB-2 / EB-3 PERM Green Card?

These are the core requirements USCIS or the U.S. consulate will look for. We review every one of them with you before anything is filed.

  • A U.S. employer offering a permanent, full-time job
  • A prevailing wage determination from the Department of Labor
  • Recruitment showing no qualified, willing U.S. worker is available
  • Certified PERM application (Form ETA-9089)
  • Form I-140 filed by the employer, with ability-to-pay evidence
  • You meet the job's education and experience requirements
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Key Benefits

Why choose EB-2 / EB-3 PERM Green Card?

01

Works for many roles

PERM suits jobs where NIW's national-importance test is hard to meet.

02

Employer covers PERM costs

By law, the employer pays PERM recruitment and attorney costs.

03

EB-2 or EB-3

The job's requirements decide the category.

04

Family included

Your spouse and children under 21 receive green cards too.

05

Concurrent filing

In some cases, I-485 can be filed with or after the I-140.

06

NIW comparison

We assess whether NIW could get you there faster.

How It Works

How the EB-2 / EB-3 PERM Green Card process works

A clear, step-by-step process with one team guiding you from your first assessment to the final decision.

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1. Job and requirements

Your employer defines the role and its minimum requirements.

2. Prevailing wage

The Department of Labor sets the required wage for the role.

3. Recruitment

The employer advertises the role to test the U.S. labor market.

4. File ETA-9089

The PERM application is filed and certified by the Department of Labor.

5. File I-140

The employer files the immigrant petition with ability-to-pay evidence.

6. Final stage

I-485 in the U.S. or consular processing abroad when your date is current.

1 min read

Employer sponsorship is the traditional route to a U.S. green card. This page explains PERM step by step, and when EB-2 NIW may be a faster alternative.

Key takeaways

  • PERM requires a U.S. employer and a permanent job offer.
  • Stages: prevailing wage, recruitment, ETA-9089, then I-140.
  • The employer pays PERM costs by law.
  • EB-2 NIW skips PERM entirely if you qualify.

How does the PERM process work?

Quick answer

PERM has three main stages (prevailing wage, recruitment and the ETA-9089 application) before the employer files Form I-140.

Prevailing wage

DOL sets the wage

Recruitment

Test the labor market

ETA-9089

PERM certification

I-140 & green card

Petition and final stage

EB-2 or EB-3: which category applies?

Quick answer

The job's minimum requirements decide the category, not just your own qualifications.

CategoryJob requiresWho it suits
EB-2Advanced degree, or bachelor's + 5 years progressive experienceSenior and specialized professionals
EB-3 professionalBachelor's degreeDegree-level professionals
EB-3 skilled workerAt least 2 years of training or experienceSkilled trades and technical roles
EB-3 other workerLess than 2 years of trainingEntry-level roles

PERM vs. EB-2 NIW: which is faster?

Quick answer

NIW is usually faster and gives more freedom because it skips PERM and needs no employer. PERM is the better route when you have a committed employer but would struggle with NIW's national-importance test.

FactorPERM (EB-2/EB-3)EB-2 NIW
Employer needed?YesNo
Labor certificationRequiredWaived
Typical speedSlower: PERM stages firstFaster: straight to I-140
Job flexibilityTied to sponsor until green cardFree to change employers
Who qualifiesAnyone with a sponsoring jobMust pass the Dhanasar test
Could you skip PERM with NIW?

Send your CV and we'll check whether EB-2 NIW could get you a green card faster, without a sponsor.

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What are common PERM mistakes?

Quick answer

Most PERM problems come from job requirements, recruitment errors or ability-to-pay issues on the employer side.

  • Job requirements tailored too narrowly to the employee
  • Recruitment steps done out of order or undocumented
  • Missing the employer's ability-to-pay evidence
  • Changing jobs before the green card without checking portability rules
  • Assuming PERM is faster than NIW

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Official sources

Written by

Syed Muhammad Shamuel Shees

Founder and Lead Immigration Consultant

Phoenix Immigration Consulting Services LLC is an immigration consulting firm, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page is general and may change; always confirm current rules on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov. Filing a petition or application does not guarantee approval.

Worth comparing

Could EB-2 NIW Be a Better Fit?

If you have an advanced degree or strong professional experience, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver can lead straight to a green card, with no employer sponsor and no lottery. Many of our clients file NIW alongside, or instead of, a temporary visa.

Explore EB-2 NIW Free NIW Assessment
  • No job offer or employer sponsor
  • No lottery and no labor certification
  • Permanent residence, not a temporary visa
  • Spouse and children under 21 included
FAQ

PERM Green Card Questions

What is PERM labor certification?

It is the Department of Labor process an employer uses to show no qualified, willing U.S. worker is available for the job offered to you.

How long does PERM take?

PERM involves prevailing wage, recruitment and Department of Labor review, and the full process often takes well over a year before I-140. Check current DOL processing times.

What is the difference between EB-2 and EB-3?

EB-2 covers jobs requiring an advanced degree or a bachelor's plus five years. EB-3 covers professionals with a bachelor's, skilled workers and other workers.

Who pays for PERM?

By law, the employer must pay PERM recruitment and attorney costs. Some I-140 and final-stage costs may be paid by the employee.

Is NIW faster than PERM?

Usually yes, because NIW skips the PERM stage entirely and needs no employer. But not everyone qualifies for NIW.

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