PERM labor certification processing remains abysmally slow at the the Department of Labor. The DOL recently touted a6% improvement (11% to 17%) in PERM adjudications without 6 months of filing. This means that the DOL is now able to issue a decision (approval or denial) in 17% of cases within 6 months. The vast, vast majority are now taking over two years. The DOL is taking a very hard line and they are second guessing every decision made in the recruitment process. Because the current unemployment rate is hovering around 10%, the DOL has decided that most job openings should be filled by US workers. That is having a very negative impact on foreign workers who are applying for permanent residence. Therefore, we are recommending that all green card hopefuls try to avoid PERM altogether.
There are 11 common paths to US permanent residency (green card) which do not involve PERM labor certification.
4. EB2 National Interest Waiver
7. EB4 Violence Against Women Act
10. Political Asylum
11. DV Lottery