Why Your Green Card Process Might Be Stuck
And What You Can Do About It
TL;DR: Feeling stuck with your PERM process timeline?
Here's why it may be delayed and how to push the timeline forward.
If your company is sponsoring your green card through the PERM process, you may relate to these points:
You sent all your documents to the attorney weeks ago.
Your coworker’s PERM got approved, but you’re still waiting.
No updates. No filings. No idea what’s happening.
You aren't alone if you said yes to any of these statements. Many visa holders feel the same way. When you ask your immigration attorney about your case, they often say:
“Your PERM is in progress.”
Yet, no one tells you what that means or why it takes so long.
What is PERM?
PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management.
It’s the first step in most employment-based green card processes. Here, your employer must show the U.S. government that there are no qualified U.S. workers for your job.
This process is employer-driven, but it substantially affects your green card timeline.
You can’t file PERM yourself but can stay involved and informed.
What causes PERM delays?
Here are three common causes and what you can do about them:
First, it could be that your manager hasn’t sent the required info.
PERM starts with gathering details like job duties and minimum qualifications. If your manager delays sending this to your attorney, the process stalls.
What can you do?
Ask your manager: “Have you sent everything the attorney needs for my PERM?”
A gentle nudge can save weeks or even months. It’s okay to follow up.
Second, your are waiting on the Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD).
Before filing PERM, your employer must request a PWD from the Department of Labor. This sets the minimum salary for your role and can take up to 6 months to process.
What can you do?
Ask your attorney: “Can we reuse a previous PWD to speed things up?”
Some companies keep general job descriptions on file for this purpose. If reused correctly, it can shave months off your timeline.
You’re left out of batch recruitment:
Some companies combine multiple PERM cases and run one recruitment, known as batch recruitment. Your case could slow down significantly if you are not part of it.
What can you do?
Ask your attorney: “Am I eligible for batch recruitment?”
You may be able to join an upcoming cycle if your job profile fits.
PERM is employer-driven, but your green card timeline depends on it. It’s not pushy to stay involved. Try asking:
“Where are we in the PERM process?”
“Is anything holding it up?”
“Is there anything I can help move forward?”
You may not control every step of the PERM process, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay on the sidelines. It’s okay to ask where things stand. It’s OK to follow up.
Staying engaged isn’t being pushy. It’s being proactive about your future.
Thanks for reading!
Each week, I simplify a part of the U.S. immigration puzzle, making it easier to understand. I hope you subscribe for more insights on U.S. immigration. My goal is to make it more human.
Ishi