Bill Would Bring USCIS-Style Premium Processing to PERM Labor Certifications

EB3.Work endorses H.R. 10051, a bipartisan bill proposing optional, employer-funded 30-day processing for PERM applications.

NY, UNITED STATES, August 23, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- EB3.Work, a New York-based platform helping employers fill entry-level job openings with international talent, today reaffirmed its support for the PERM Backlog Reduction Act of 2026 (H.R. 10051), bipartisan legislation that would bring a version of USCIS's popular premium processing option to the Department of Labor's PERM system.

The bill would let employers pay an optional fee for 30-day processing of Form ETA-9089, the labor certification application currently averaging 372 days to process.

"Employers across the country are trying to grow, serve their customers and fill essential roles, but frustrating processing delays are holding them back." John E. Dorer, CEO of EB3.Work

Representatives Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Lou Correa (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan bill on August 6, 2026. It would give employers an optional $1,200 track requiring the Department of Labor to process Form ETA-9089 within 30 calendar days. DOL reported an average of 372 calendar days for PERM Analyst Review determinations completed in July 2026.

EB3.Work has supported the concept of premium processing for PERM since its earliest conception and has advocated for it as part of a broader effort to make the employment-based green card process faster and more efficient for both employers and applicants. H.R. 10051 formally names EB3.Work as an endorsing organization, together with the Critical Labor Coalition and the Coalition of Franchisee Associations.

The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It is proposed legislation, not an available DOL service. Employers must continue using the existing PERM process unless the bill becomes law and is implemented.

Official bill text: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119hr10051ih
Official congressional announcement: https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5342
Official DOL processing data: https://flag.dol.gov/processingtimes Full guide: https://eb3.work/premium-processing-for-perm/



A Bipartisan Proposal for PERM Premium Processing

The PERM Backlog Reduction Act would require DOL to establish an optional premium program for Form ETA-9089, which employers use to apply for permanent labor certification. The $1,200 fee would be adjusted annually for inflation beginning in fiscal year 2028.

Fees would enter a dedicated DOL PERM Premium Processing Fee Account in the U.S. Treasury. The bill authorizes their use for administration, staffing, training, case adjudication, system upgrades and fraud detection.

The proposal requires DOL to ensure the premium program does not slow standard ETA-9089 or ETA-9141 processing, and that collected fees are sufficient to support timely prevailing wage determinations. Because participating employers would fund the program, it would not require taxpayer dollars.



Why PERM Processing Delays Matter

PERM labor certification is required for most employer-sponsored green card cases, and employers generally must complete this DOL process before filing Form I-140 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Long processing times can disrupt workforce planning and extend uncertainty for workers and their families.

A defined premium timeline would give participating employers a more predictable option while directing resources toward the broader PERM system.

"The PERM Backlog Reduction Act is a practical, targeted reform that would help modernize the DOL and bring greater certainty to the employment-based immigration process," said Dorer.



What the Bill Would Not Change

H.R. 10051 focuses solely on DOL processing time. It would not eliminate recruitment requirements, change permanent labor certification standards, guarantee approval, or affect employment-based visa limits, Visa Bulletin priority dates, Form I-140 requirements, adjustment of status, or consular processing. It addresses one stage of the green card process, not the entire timeline.



How Employers and Applicants Can Follow H.R. 10051

Employers and applicants are advised to confirm the bill's status through official congressional sources before making workforce or immigration decisions, and to continue existing prevailing wage, recruitment and PERM procedures, since premium processing for PERM is not currently available. Employers may also want to evaluate how an optional $1,200 filing could affect future workforce planning if the proposal becomes law, and should monitor official DOL guidance for filing procedures, eligibility and effective dates if Congress approves the legislation.

Employers and applicants who support the proposal are encouraged to contact their elected representatives. Additional information is available at: https://eb3.work/support-the-perm-backlog-reduction-act-h-r-10051/

"Our country needs an immigration system that is lawful, orderly and responsive to real workforce demands," Dorer said. "We thank Congressman Grothman and Congressman Correa for their leadership in modernizing PERM processing and giving employers an optional tool to move cases more efficiently. This legislation would help businesses plan with confidence and help qualified workers move through the system with greater predictability."

Congressman Grothman, the bill's lead sponsor, has emphasized the legislation's cost structure. "This is a practical solution that benefits American businesses without costing taxpayers a dime," said Congressman Grothman.

A full FAQ on H.R. 10051, including bill status, program costs, and how premium processing would affect standard PERM cases, is available at https://eb3.work/premium-processing-for-perm/



About EB3.Work
EB3.Work helps employers who are unable to fill all of their entry-level job openings with U.S. workers by providing a platform for them to hire international talent through the EB-3 visa process. EB3.Work provides employment opportunities, educational resources and process guidance for employers and applicants across the U.S.
Website: https://eb3.work/



Media Contact
John E. Dorer, CEO
EB3.Work
1850 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10031
Phone: 866.337.1403
Email: johnd@eb3.work

Marketing Team
EB3.Work
email us here