Chicago PERM Labor Certification Lawyers

For many foreign professionals, an employer-sponsored green card is the gateway to a permanent future in the United States. Before that green card can be approved, though, most employment-based cases must clear the hurdle of PERM labor certification. This step is used to confirm that hiring a foreign worker will not displace a qualified U.S. worker or undercut wages in the field, enabling employers to petition for their employee’s permanent residency.

At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, immigration and nationality law is all we do. Since our founding in 1974, our firm has guided thousands of foreign nationals and employers through the U.S. immigration system, building a legacy of knowledge and results that spans decades. We understand that employment-based immigration carries significant consequences for both the businesses sponsoring talent and the individuals whose futures depend on the outcome. That is why our lawyers take a deliberate, personalized approach to your case, dedicating ourselves to your petition’s success.

Clients We Serve

We support employers and foreign workers at every stage of the PERM process, including:

• Employers ready to sponsor a valued foreign employee for permanent residence.
• Foreign workers whose long-term future depends on their employer’s PERM application.
• HR professionals or business owners facing prevailing wage, recruitment, or documentation requirements.
• Foreign nationals with a job offer for a permanent position.
• Applicants facing an audit, delay, or denial in a prior labor certification effort.
• Managers of multiple sponsorships across a growing company.

Our team recognizes the importance of this step in your immigration process, and we can help you navigate it properly.

Understanding the PERM Application Process

PERM, short for Program Electronic Review Management, is the process the U.S. Department of Labor uses to review and certify an employer’s request to hire a foreign worker for a permanent position. For most employment-based green card categories that require a job offer, PERM certification is the essential first step.

Employer Sponsorship

PERM begins with the employer, not the worker. The company must offer a permanent, full-time position and take on the role of sponsor. Because the employer bears the legal responsibility, having all requirements documented correctly protects both the business and the employee it hopes to retain.

Prevailing Wage Determination

Before recruitment begins, the employer must obtain a prevailing wage determination from the Department of Labor. This confirms the appropriate salary for the position based on its duties, location, and required experience. The employer must be prepared to pay at least this wage, which helps ensure U.S. workers are not undercut.

Recruitment and Testing the Labor Market

PERM requires a good-faith recruitment effort. The employer must advertise the position and test the U.S. labor market to show that no qualified, willing, and available American worker is being passed over. This stage follows strict rules on timing, placement, and how the employer evaluates any applicants who respond.

Filing and Audits

Once recruitment is complete and no qualified U.S. worker is identified, the employer files the labor certification application with the Department of Labor. After submission, applications may also be selected for audit, which calls for thorough, well-organized documentation for any needed responses.

Connection to the Green Card

A PERM certification does not by itself grant permanent residence. Instead, it clears the way for the next steps: filing the employment-based immigrant petition and, ultimately, pursuing the green card through adjustment of status or consular processing. PERM serves as the foundation on which the rest of the case is built.

What Our Firm Offers in the PERM Process

• Exclusive Immigration Focus for Over 50 Years: Our practice is devoted to immigration law, offering our clients authoritative, knowledgeable representation.
• End-to-End Legal Support: Our firm manages every phase of the process, including prevailing wage requests, recruitment campaigns, audit responses, and immigrant petition filings.
• Clear, Professional Counsel at Every Stage: We translate DOL regulations and procedural requirements into clear, actionable guidance, so employers and employees remain informed and confident.
• Thousands of successful cases nationwide. Our experienced team has guided employers and foreign national beneficiaries through the immigration process countless times.

Connect With a PERM Labor Certification Lawyer Today

If you are an employer preparing to sponsor a valued employee, reach out to our firm today. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, our team has guided many companies and professionals through this process and toward permanent residence with care and confidence. We can help you with every step of your PERM labor certification, as we are thoroughly familiar with the procedure and requirements for these applications.

Call our office today at 312-332-2550 or schedule your consultation online to discuss your immigration needs.

FAQs About PERM Labor Certification