Definition
PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the U.S. Department of Labor process employers use to test the labor market and certify that hiring a foreign worker for a permanent role will not adversely affect wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. Successful PERM is typically required before USCIS employment-based green card petitions (EB-2/EB-3).
Key Points
- 2026-10-08: DOL suspended Microsoft, Adobe, and six major IT outsourcers (Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini) from PERM—no new filings and no processing of pending cases (2026-10-08-cnbc-microsoft-perm-suspension)
- H-1B distinction: PERM suspension does not suspend existing H-1B work authorization; it blocks the permanent labor certification step toward green cards (2026-10-08-us-suspend-microsoft-green-card-program)
- Duration: No public end date; 20 CFR § 656.31 allows investigatory suspensions (initial up to 180 days, extendable while probes continue) per immigration law analyses (2026-10-08-us-suspend-microsoft-green-card-program)
Fraud allegations cited at announcement are administrative grounds for suspension—not final findings of wrongdoing.