Are there alternatives to pursuing a labor certification?
The PERM labor certification process covers a broad spectrum of occupations and has become much quicker and more reliable than the former labor certification process used by DOL. Most employees will need to go through the PERM labor certification application process, but some will not. For example, high-level employees who are transferred to the U.S. from company offices abroad may be eligible to immigrate without first obtaining a labor certification. Under the multinational manager/executive classification, an employee with a Ph.D. in his or her respective field, as well as publications and other professional distinctions, may be eligible for outstanding researcher immigrant classification, for which labor certification is not necessary. Also, employees who can demonstrate that they rank at or near the very top of their field nationally or internationally may be eligible for extraordinary ability classification; labor certification would not be necessary for these individuals either.
