Green Card Sponsorship (PERM): Top Employers and What to Expect
Updated 2026-04-23 · Based on 478,059 PERM filings in our database
What Is PERM?
PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the first step in the employment-based green card process. The employer files a PERM application with the DOL to prove that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position at the prevailing wage.
A certified PERM does not itself grant a green card — it's the labor market test that precedes the I-140 immigrant petition filed with USCIS. The full process typically takes:
- PERM labor certification: 6-18 months
- I-140 immigrant petition: 4-12 months
- I-485 adjustment of status (or consular processing): varies widely by country of birth — immediate for most, but decades-long backlogs for India and China EB-2/EB-3
Top PERM Sponsors
| # | Employer | Total PERM | Certified | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 11,962 | 5,053 | 42% |
| 2 | Microsoft Corporation | 10,184 | 4,626 | 45% |
| 3 | Google LLC | 7,868 | 3,134 | 40% |
| 4 | Intel Corporation | 5,042 | 2,109 | 42% |
| 5 | Apple Inc. | 4,918 | 1,452 | 30% |
| 6 | Tata Consultancy Services Limited | 4,553 | 2,562 | 56% |
| 7 | FPL Food, LLC | 3,549 | 2,489 | 70% |
| 8 | Oracle America, Inc. | 3,146 | 1,624 | 52% |
| 9 | Facebook, Inc. | 3,111 | 1,275 | 41% |
| 10 | AMAZON WEB SERVICES, INC. | 2,669 | 1,282 | 48% |
| 11 | INFOSYS LTD. | 2,573 | 1,063 | 41% |
| 12 | Consolidated Catfish Producers, LLC | 2,337 | 1,623 | 69% |
| 13 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORPORATION | 2,335 | 1,331 | 57% |
| 14 | Wayne Farms LLC | 2,095 | 927 | 44% |
| 15 | DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP | 1,971 | 1,054 | 53% |
PERM vs. H-1B: Key Differences
| Feature | H-1B (LCA) | PERM |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Temporary work authorization | Green card labor certification |
| Duration | 3 years (renewable to 6) | Permanent (once green card issued) |
| Wage requirement | Prevailing or actual wage | Prevailing wage (formal NPWC determination) |
| Labor market test | None (attestation only) | Required — must recruit and test U.S. workers |
| Employer obligation | Pay prevailing wage | Demonstrate no qualified U.S. worker available |
| Processing time | Months | 6-18 months for PERM alone |
What to Look for in an Employer
- Track record of PERM filings. Employers with many certified PERMs have established processes.
- High approval rate. Some employers have 90%+ certification rates; others struggle with denials.
- Timeline commitment. Ask when the employer typically initiates PERM after hire.
- The green card backlog. For Indian and Chinese nationals, even a certified PERM may mean years of waiting due to per-country limits.
Check any employer's PERM history: Search employers — each employer page shows their PERM filing count and certification data.