Randall Law PLLC
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Randall Law PLLC
  • Home
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Immigration
    • General Immigration Law
    • Green Card
    • Naturalization (N-400)
    • Family Green Card
    • Employment Green Card
    • PERM Process
    • H-1B Specialty Occupation
    • Change in H1B Employment
    • TN Visa
    • O1 Extraordinary Ability
    • E-3 Australia Visa
    • USCIS Case Status
    • I-9 Form
    • DACA
  • Employment
    • General Employment Law
    • Administrative Law
    • Contract Dispute
    • Wrongful Termination
    • Noncompete Agreement
    • Workplace Discrimination
    • Employer Risk Counselor
  • Civil Litigation
  • Contact Us

Employment-Based Green Card Process

EB Green Card Process Steps

The three steps in most employment-based Green Card and Immigrant Visa processing entails: 1) Labor Certification by the U.S. Department of Labor; 2) Approval of an Immigrant Visa Petition; and 3) Applying for a Green Card (if in the U.S.) or an Immigrant Visa (if abroad).

PERM: Labor Certification Overview

Labor Certification is mandated as the first step in most employment-based immigration for the purpose of protecting the U.S. labor market. Since March 28, 2005, labor certification applications are submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) using its Program Electronic Management Review System (PERM). The PERM process is required for employment-based second (EB-2) and third (EB-3) cases, unless the petition will entail a National Interest Waiver and certain healthcare fields.

PERM Labor Certification Requirements

The labor certification process entails a test of the local labor market for availability of qualified and available U.S. workers. Recruitment efforts for the position must entail advertising the position at the level of or above the prevailing wage. Employer attestations are submitted with to the DOL to indicate compliance with recruitment and other PERM requirements. Employers must create and maintain a PERM audit file with evidence of proper recruitment efforts and supporting documentation. The DOL may audit the employer to verify compliance.

Step 1: PERM Process

Randall Law PLLC provides comprehensive representation throughout the entire PERM process, including detailed case analysis, filing preparation, employer audit file compilation and related legal advice. We also take on cases at the audit stage and during post-denial audits to the Board.

Randall Law PLLC provides comprehensive representation throughout the entire PERM process for employment based green card process, including detailed case analysis, filing preparation, employer audit file compilation and related legal advice. We also take on cases at the audit stage and during post-denial audits to the Board.During the PERM stage, although the attorney will do most of the paperwork, the employer’s cooperation is critical.  The DOL mandates that a number of steps only be conducted by the employer.

 The employer should expect to:

• Provide documents and relevant information about the company and the proffered position; 

• Review and approve the job details prepared by the attorney; 

• Register on the PERM online filing system; 

• Review and approve recruitment schedules prepared by the attorney; 

• Choose an employee to review job applications and interview applicants, if necessary; and 

• Review the recruitment reports prepared by the attorney and sign the recruitment report. 

Steps 2 &3: Immigrant Visa Petition & Applying for Green Card (or Immigrant Visa)

The employment-based immigrant visa petition is filed after the Labor Certification is approved–or at the outset of the process for positions not requiring DOL certification. The petition is filed with comprehensive proof of the employee’s qualifications for the applicable classification and typically with proof that the employer can pay the prevailing wage since the priority date. If the category in which the petition is filed is current, the Adjustment of Status Application can be submitted at the same time. If the applicant is abroad, consular processing of the immigrant visa is possible. If there is retrogression in the visa classification, the beneficiary should keep valid their underlying nonimmigrant status if in the U.S., or wait for their visa availability in their home country, if abroad.

Before embarking on this multi-year process, it is critical that the proffered position, employer, and beneficiary are carefully evaluated to ensure the highest chances of a successful outcome. Randall Law PLLC Senior Partner Samuel Randall has assisted multiple employers and beneficiaries in achieving their employment-based immigration goals. Schedule a consultation for a detailed discussion of possible eligibility. Complementing the employment-based (permanent) immigration process are a number of nonimmigrant (temporary) visas that companies and workers look to, including H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, B-1, and E-2 visas.

Knowledgeable about the PERM green card process

Attorney Samuel Randall is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Arizona Employment Lawyers Association, and the State Bar of Arizona – Employment and Labor Law Section. His in-depth knowledge of immigration law enables him to efficiently identify your options, effectively explain them to you, and get the best outcome.

Contact Us for a Consultation

We will actively and compassionately help you navigate through the complex immigration process. Attorney Randall is knowledgeable and experienced in helping clients, their family members, or their employees gain legal status. In addition, he is a member of the following organizations:

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Arizona Employment Lawyers Association
  • State Bar of Arizona, Employment and Labor Law Section

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