The Department of Labor (DOL) recently published the regulations for its Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) program after two years. The regulations will take effect on March 28, 2005.
February 16, 2005- The Department of Labor (DOL) recently published the regulations for its Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) program after two years. The regulations will take effect on March 28, 2005.
The PERM regulations were first proposed in May 2002. They were created to help streamline the permanent labor certification system, thus providing an answer to the current labor certification backlog.
PERM is an electronic process that will be used for filing and processing labor certification applications for permanent employment-based immigration.
One of the most significant changes to the process, under the new PERM regulations, would be the 45-to-60-days-period of processing for electronically submitted applications through PERM. This means that DOL expects that files submitted will be decided within 45-60 days. Current situation can take up to three (3) years of processing for labor certification applications. With the new PERM regulations, DOL contends that it will definitely speed up the process and provide for the means to get the present backlog done in no time.
Employers will be able to file a form electronically via DOL's website when the rule takes effect in March. In addition, employers can also file labor certification applications by mailing them directly to the centralized processing center available. A listing may be viewed at http://www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/foreign.
Some of the key features of the new PERM regulations include: