PERM is the first step in the green card process for most employment-based applicants. This requires the employer to conduct a recruitment campaign in good faith to demonstrate that there are no available, willing and qualified US workers to fill the position in question. To submit a PERM application (ETA 9089) the employer is first…
Category Archives: PERM Labor certification/I-140/I-485 Processing
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OFLC To Implement New SOC Codes and Publish New Wages On July 1, 2022
The Office of Foreign Labor certification (OFLC) is set to implement the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes on July 1, 2022. Any Labor condition applications (LCAs) submitted prior to July 1, 2022, will be adjudicated based on the 2010 SOC codes. Any applications submitted after July 1, 2022, will be based on the new…
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PERM Processing Times
The PERM also known as the Labor certification is the first step in the employment-based green card process. The PERM process starts with the employer conducting a recruitment campaign. Alongside this it is also necessary for the employer to submit a request for the prevailing wage from the Department of Labor (DOL). As part of…
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How To Make An Interfile Request To Switch Employment Categories
By now most people are familiar with the concept of filing a downgrade application from EB-2 to EB-3. However, last October so many applicants filed downgrades, that the demand for EB-3 green cards, has far exceeded the number available, resulting in severe retrogression, especially for EB-3 India. In November 2021, EB-3 India dates retrogressed by…
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Department of State announces waiver of interviews for certain non-immigrant visas
Obtaining an interview at almost any consulate outside of the U.S. has been almost impossible due to the ongoing pandemic and as a result, many have been left unable to return to the U.S. To help facilitate the issuance of visas and clear the backlog, the Department of State announced that they would waive the…
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USCIS Relaxes 60 day Filing Requirement For I-693 Medical Reports
USCIS has announced that it will not require applicants to file their medical report within 60 days of the civil surgeon signing the I-693. This is effective December 9, 2021 and will remain the case until September 30, 2022. Previously, USCIS had required applicants applying for adjustment of status to submit their medical report within…
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Interfiling Versus Filing A New I-485 In Order To Switch Employment Categories
This article has been updated, please visit the link below: How To Make An Interfile Request To Switch Employment Categories By now most people are familiar with the concept of filing a downgrade application from EB-2 to EB-3. However, last October so many applicants filed downgrades, that the demand for EB-3 green cards, has far…
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Green Card Applicants Now Required To Get COVID-19 Vaccine Before Obtaining I-693 Medical Exam
Effective October 1, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will now require all applicants seeking permanent residence to complete the COVID-19 vaccine and provide documentation to the civil surgeon before completing their medical exam. This includes applicants filing for adjustment of status in the US and those applying via consular processing. However,…
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Important Considerations When Switching Jobs And Filing I-485, Supp J.
For employment-based candidates, switching jobs during the green card process is possible, once the I-485 has been pending for 180 days, without having to go through the arduous PERM process and I-140 filing. The portability rules allow an applicant to switch jobs once the I-485 has been pending for 180 days as long as the…