THE PERM work certification is a crucial step that all U.S. employers must take before sponsoring a foreign worker for an employment-based green card. Overall, the PERM process involves recruiting efforts to test the labor market and submitting a detailed application to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
For U.S. businesses that employ several (in some cases thousands) of foreign workers, submitting a PERM application can be a lengthy and costly step in the immigration process. One way to streamline this process is a strategy called “PERM batching.” Let’s take a closer look at PERM bundling and how it can be an effective strategy for sponsoring employers.
What is PERM batch processing?
“PERM batch processing” refers to the practice of submitting multiple PERM labor certification applications to the DOL simultaneously for a group of foreign workers in the same or similar employment categories and/or geographic locations.
Using PERM bundling as an immigration strategy involves strategically planning and coordinating the submission of multiple PERM applications to increase the chance of approval and streamline the process of sponsoring multiple foreign workers.
Benefits of PERM Batch Processing
Efficiency: By consolidating multiple PERM applications, employers can save time and resources in preparing and filing documents. PERM bundling can also lead to faster processing times since the DOL tends to review similar applications simultaneously.
Consistency: When filing multiple PERM applications for similar positions, employers can ensure consistency of documentation and arguments presented in support of labor certification. Overall, consistency can help strengthen the applicant’s overall case and improve the chances of PERM approval.
Strategic calendar: Employers can strategically plan the submission of multiple PERM applications based on U.S. immigration trends, processing times, and other factors to maximize the chance of success for all applications in the batch.
Workforce planning: PERM bundling allows employers to more effectively plan their workforce needs by obtaining permanent residency for multiple international employees simultaneously, ensuring the stability and continuity of their operations.
Cost Savings: Submitting multiple PERM applications together can also result in savings compared to filing individual applications separately because certain costs such as attorney fees and advertising expenses can be spread across multiple applications.
Important:
Professional immigration is about to become more costly for American employers. On April 1, 2024, USCIS will increase filing fees for almost all visa categories and immigration forms, including employment-based green cards and work visas. Learn more about expected costs here.
The essential
In light of USCIS new pricing structureMany U.S. employers who sponsor foreign workers may turn to PERM bundling in the coming months to save on application costs.
While PERM consolidation can be an effective immigration strategy for many businesses to save time and money, employers and human resources professionals should ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and requirements established by the DOL to avoid any potential issues or processing delays. Check out our helpful tips on US immigration compliance here.
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If you are a human resources professional or business owner looking to hire international talent, access our business immigration solutions and in-house legal team. here.