A proposal to overhaul PERM labour certification, the first stage of employment-based (EB-2 and EB-3) green cards in the US, has moved a step forward. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed its review of the Department of Labor's proposed rule.
Key points
- Law firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC says the rule was sent to OMB on September 14 and review ended on October 23.
- DOL's stated focus: recruitment requirements, protections for laid-off US workers, non-discrimination in hiring, and record retention.
- It would be the first comprehensive rewrite of PERM rules since 2004.
- The rule text is not yet public, and current PERM rules remain in force.
Who is affected
Business Today says the change could affect thousands of Indian nationals, including H-1B holders being sponsored for green cards. Telugu IT professionals in the US are among them.
What next
The proposal will be published in the Federal Register, followed by a public comment period, usually 30 or 60 days, according to law firms. It has no effect until a final rule is issued. No publication date has been set.
