PERM visa modernization

Challenge: Annually, DOL processes nearly 120,000 requests for permanent labor certifications (PERM) across 73,000 unique employers. Processing delays can affect the worker’s ability to remain in the U.S. and the employer’s ability to retain skilled talent. Employers face a fragmented sign-in and verification process that requires manual staff workarounds and mailed documents. This system causes inconsistent case processing times, unnecessary administrative costs, and fraud and security risks.

Approach: With TMF support, DOL is transforming three processes:

• For PERM filers to submit applications
• For PERM analysts to review applications
• To submit PERM labor certification decisions to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of State

To do this, DOL is working to:

• Eliminate manual and paper-based processes, reducing the adjudication cycle time by about 45 days, with an annual cost savings of $1.5 million for PERM filers and an annual cost avoidance of $2.2 million
• Integrate a new PERM labor certification process into DOL’s Foreign Labor Application Gateway digital platform, which uses Login.gov and enables secure and efficient sharing of labor certification data between agencies
• Enable DOL PERM analysts to create and issue correspondence to filers, automate the audit selection process for integrity reviews, and access data that protects job seekers