Glossary · USCIS forms
PERM (Labor Certification)
DOL-approved labor certification — the first step of the employment-based green card process before the I-140.
PERM (Form ETA-9089) is the labor-market test that confirms there are no qualified US workers for the role. Filed by the employer with DOL before the I-140 can be filed. PERM filing dates establish your priority date for EB-2/EB-3 (note: I-140 dates establish the priority date for EB-1). PERM-pending for ≥365 days unlocks a 1-year H-1B extension under AC21 §106(a).
Sources & official references
- AC21 §106(a)— 1-year H-1B extensions beyond the 6-year cap when 365+ days have passed since labor certification (PERM) was filed.
Related terms
I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
Employer-sponsored green-card petition. Once approved, it locks your priority date and unlocks 3-year H-1B extensions past the 6-year cap.
Priority date
The date your green card application 'started' — determines your wait under USCIS Visa Bulletin.
AC21 (American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act)
2000 statute that codified H-1B portability + 1- and 3-year extensions past the 6-year cap for green-card-pending workers.
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