EB3.Work backs bill for 30-day PERM labor certification processing

EB3.Work is endorsing bipartisan legislation that would let employers pay for optional 30-day processing of PERM labor certifications at the Labor Department. The proposal could cut long waits that now average 372 days and affect employer-sponsored green card cases.

Why it matters: - PERM labor certification is a required step for most employer-sponsored green card cases. - Long processing times can delay hiring plans and extend uncertainty for workers and their families. - The proposal would give employers a faster, paid option without using taxpayer dollars.

What happened: - EB3.Work reaffirmed support for the PERM Backlog Reduction Act of 2026, H.R. 10051. - Reps. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., and Lou Correa, D-Calif., introduced the bipartisan bill on Aug. 6, 2026. - The bill would create an optional premium processing track for Form ETA-9089 at the Department of Labor. - EB3.Work, the Critical Labor Coalition and the Coalition of Franchisee Associations are named as endorsing organizations in the bill.

The details: - Employers could pay a $1,200 fee for 30-calendar-day processing of Form ETA-9089. - The fee would be adjusted annually for inflation starting in fiscal year 2028. - The Department of Labor reported an average of 372 calendar days for PERM Analyst Review determinations completed in July 2026. - Fees would go into a dedicated DOL PERM Premium Processing Fee Account in the U.S. Treasury. - The bill would allow that money to fund administration, staffing, training, case adjudication, system upgrades and fraud detection. - The proposal would require the Department of Labor to keep standard ETA-9089 and ETA-9141 processing from slowing down. - The legislation also says the collected fees must be enough to support timely prevailing wage determinations. - H.R. 10051 is proposed legislation, not an available Labor Department service. - The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. - Employers must keep using the current PERM process unless the bill becomes law and is implemented. - Official bill text: Official bill text - Official congressional announcement: Official congressional announcement - Official DOL processing data: Official DOL processing data - Full guide: Full guide

Between the lines: - EB3.Work has backed premium processing for PERM since the idea first emerged. - The company is framing the bill as a targeted fix for one bottleneck in the green card process, not a broad immigration overhaul. - The legislation would not change recruitment requirements, permanent labor certification standards, employment-based visa caps, Visa Bulletin priority dates, Form I-140 rules, adjustment of status or consular processing. - By limiting the bill to the DOL stage, supporters are trying to speed processing without changing who qualifies for permanent labor certification. - Dorer said the bill would help modernize the Department of Labor and give employers and workers more predictability. - Grothman said the proposal would help businesses without costing taxpayers money.

What's next: - The bill now awaits action in the House Judiciary Committee. - Employers and applicants are being told to keep following current prevailing wage, recruitment and PERM procedures. - If Congress approves the bill, the Labor Department would still need to issue guidance on filing procedures, eligibility and effective dates. - EB3.Work is directing interested employers and applicants to monitor official congressional sources and contact their representatives if they support the proposal. - Additional information is available at: Support the PERM Backlog Reduction Act

The bottom line: - H.R. 10051 would not fix the whole employment-based immigration system, but it could give employers a faster, optional path through one of its slowest steps.