Double Good News! Zhaolong Immigration is delighted to announce that two of our EB‑3 skilled worker clients have successfully passed the PERM labor certification process!
· Sales position: filed in July 2025, approved in July 2026
· Planning position: filed in August 2025, approved in July 2026
Two PERM approvals landed simultaneously – a particularly valuable achievement under the current immigration policy environment. This is not only a significant milestone for these two clients on their employment‑based immigration journey, but also the best testament to Zhaolong Immigration’s full‑process professional control and extensive practical experience.
The “First Hurdle” in Employment‑Based Immigration Applications
Many who are preparing to apply for a green card through employer sponsorship often misunderstand that once the company agrees to sponsor, the rest is just a matter of time. However, the reality is far from that.
PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the permanent labor certification process administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, and it is a prerequisite step for EB‑2 and EB‑3 employment‑based green card applications. Its core purpose is for the employer to demonstrate to the DOL that they have conducted recruitment in the U.S. labor market as required, but still could not find a qualified and willing U.S. worker for the position, hence the need to hire a foreign national.
A PERM application typically involves prevailing wage determination, job advertisement posting, recruitment record keeping, interview documentation, rejection justifications, and many other steps – each with strict compliance requirements. For this reason, industry professionals often frown at the mention of PERM: it is the most time‑consuming, the most likely to fail, and yet an unavoidable step.
The “Storm Moment” PERM Is Undergoing
Currently, PERM is facing the largest reform impact in over two decades.
The U.S. Department of Labor formally placed PERM modernization reform on its regulatory agenda in July 2026. This is the first systematic update to PERM regulations since 2004. Reform directions include: raising documentation standards, expanding employer recruitment obligations, strengthening business viability reviews of companies, and adding safeguard mechanisms to ensure U.S. workers have priority access to permanent job openings.
Meanwhile, the proposed wage adjustment rule put forward by the DOL in March 2026 has completed its public comment period.
Even more concerning is the processing time. According to DOL data from March 2026, the average analyst review phase for PERM takes 501 calendar days (approximately 16.5 months). In Zhaolong Immigration’s past cases, from prevailing wage determination through recruitment to DOL approval – with no premium processing option available for PERM – our average cycle is around 12 months, far shorter than the official processing time. To some extent, this reflects the high quality of our employer resources and the precision of our documentation team in preparing application materials.
Long‑Term U.S. Residency Planning Cannot Afford Delay
Viewing PERM reform within the broader policy landscape, the trend is clear:
· December 2025: H‑1B selection modified to wage‑level weighting
· February 2026: Wage‑based lottery officially takes effect
· March 2026: DOL proposes 21%‑33% wage increase for H‑1B/PERM
· July 2026: PERM modernization reform formally enters the regulatory agenda
Every policy adjustment sends the same signal: the pathways for employment‑based immigration are narrowing, and the bar is being raised.
For professionals who rely on H‑1B, F‑1, or other visas to stay in the U.S., this uncertainty is particularly acute. A truly robust plan must proactively build multiple legal options. As the first threshold for an employment‑based green card, PERM approval directly determines whether subsequent I‑140 and I‑485 filings can proceed. Accelerating the PERM process before the new rules take effect, and completing relevant application preparations as much as possible ahead of regulatory changes, is a key strategy to reduce future policy uncertainty.
Expertise and Experience Are the Keys to “Winning” in Turbulent Times
The complexity of the PERM process means it is by no means a simple “follow‑the‑steps” procedure.
From prevailing wage determination to mandatory recruitment steps, from completing Form ETA‑9089 to responding to DOL audits, each stage carries compliance risks. A slip at any point can result in extended processing times, denial, or even penalties that suspend the employer from participating in the PERM program.
The simultaneous approval of both clients by Zhaolong Immigration is no coincidence.
☑ Sales position client: PERM approved in 12 months
Basic profile: Mr. G., 34 years old, Master’s degree
Current role: Regional sales representative for a domestic brand
Full‑time work experience: 11 years
Immigration goal: Children’s education planning, U.S. green card for the whole family
☑ Event planning position client: PERM approved in 11 months
Basic profile: Mr. G., 39 years old, Master’s degree
Current role: Marketing director at a corporate enterprise
Full‑time work experience: 15 years
Immigration goal: Children’s education planning, U.S. green card for the whole family
With the average PERM analyst review taking 16.5 months, this approval speed itself is proof of professional capability. From job targeting and wage determination, to recruitment process design, document preparation and submission, and handling potential RFEs and audits – the Zhaolong Immigration team leveraged full‑process professional control to secure precious time for our clients.
PERM approval is just the starting point of the green card journey, but it is the most critical step. At a time when policies are tightening and processing times are lengthening, choosing a team with both expertise and experience is more important than ever.
Choose Zhaolong Immigration – the next approval could be yours.
Consult now, and let the professionals handle the professional work for you.
