December 14, 2004

PERM Clears OMB Hurdle - Publication Likely by December 22, 2004

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees regulatory policies for the Executive Branch, completed its review of the final PERM rule on Friday, December 10, 2004. This rule had been pending at the OMB since February 23, 2004. Upon completion of the final rule, the rule is forwarded for publication in the Federal Register. Greenberg Traurig has learned that publication is likely by December 22, 2004. It is anticipated that PERM will be effective 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

PERM is a Department of Labor initiative that is designed to fast-track qualified Applications for Alien Employment Certification, the first step to permanent residence through employment for many alien employees in the United States. The PERM program will drastically change the Labor Certification process by reducing current processing times for qualified applications, from as much as two to four years to as little as twenty one days. Greenberg Traurig has been actively involved in the PERM program since it was first proposed in May 2002. We will post further updates as information becomes available.

For further information on the PERM program and what it means for you or your employees please contact one of the attorneys in Greenberg Traurig's Business Immigration Practice Group.