Can You Change Location with Same Employer While PERM Is Pending?

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Key Takeaways

• A location change during a pending PERM may require a new prevailing wage determination and updated recruitment efforts for compliance.
• Material location changes could necessitate withdrawing the initial PERM and restarting, delaying the green card process significantly.
• Employers must update job details accurately, consult legal counsel, and take timely action to mitigate risks of denial or delay.

Yes, it is possible to change your location while working for the same employer during a PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) process, but it comes with specific complexities and procedural considerations. The process hinges on understanding how the change in location impacts the pending approval of your PERM application and compliance with legal requirements. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to understanding this situation, the necessary steps, and the implications you need to consider.

Overview of the PERM Process

The PERM process is a critical part of employment-based green card applications in the United States 🇺🇸. It ensures that employers seeking to hire foreign workers for permanent roles have first demonstrated unavailability of qualified U.S. workers for the given position. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) oversees this process, which consists of three essential parts:

Can You Change Location with Same Employer While PERM Is Pending?

Job Advertising and Recruitment:
Employers must advertise the job position through various channels, undertake recruitment steps, and show that no American workers are willing or qualified to fill the role.
Prevailing Wage Determination:
The employer needs to obtain a prevailing wage determination from the DOL, confirming that the offered salary meets or exceeds the minimum wage standard for the role and location.
Filing the PERM Application:
Once these steps are complete, the employer files ETA Form 9089 with the DOL to formally apply for permanent labor certification.

A location change during any stage of this process introduces modifications that can potentially impact the application.

Key Issue: Location and PERM

In the PERM process, the job location is a critical element because local labor market conditions and prevailing wages differ from one area to another. The position’s geographic location determines the recruitment pool and wage standards, which are integral to demonstrating whether qualified U.S. workers are unavailable.

Changing location with the same employer while the PERM is pending approval raises three primary issues:

Prevailing Wage:
If the location changes, the employer may need to request a new prevailing wage determination because wages depend heavily on local cost-of-living standards and market trends.
Recruitment Process:
Recruitment must generally focus on the area where the job will be performed. A change in job location might require re-doing recruitment efforts to target the labor market in the new location.
Consistency in Job Description:
The duties described in the PERM application must match the reality of the job offered. Geographic conditions, remote work possibilities, or changes in reporting locations can lead to the interpretation of a “material change,” which might require a fresh PERM application.

Steps to Change Location During a Pending PERM Process

If you need to change your location while the PERM is awaiting approval, the process involves several steps to ensure compliance with legal obligations. Below is a detailed roadmap:

Evaluate Materiality of the Location Change:
Determine if the new location is materially different from the original one stated on the PERM application. For example, moving within the same metropolitan area might not be considered “material,” while shifting to another state would be. The employer should consult with an immigration attorney to confirm whether the location change qualifies as material.
Assess Recruitment and Advertisement Compliance:
If the move is deemed significant, recruitment efforts targeting U.S. workers might need to be redone in the new area. The employer will also need to ensure that job advertisements accurately reflect the new location.
Request a New Prevailing Wage Determination:
For location changes that involve different wage requirements, the employer must obtain a prevailing wage determination for the new location. This ensures that the salary meets DOL standards.
Decide Whether to Amend or Restart the PERM Application:
Depending on the scale of the location change, the employer might need to withdraw the original PERM application and initiate a new one. However, if the change is minimal, an amendment might suffice.
Inform the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
If the PERM is approved and the case moves to the USCIS stage, all changes, including work location, must be accurately disclosed to maintain transparency and compliance.

Employer Responsibilities

The employer plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the PERM application remains compliant despite a location change. Employers should take the following actions:

Review the Current PERM Application:
Employers must revisit the original application to examine its terms, including job location and wage details.
Engage in Open Communication:
The employer needs to openly discuss the situation with the affected employee, legal counsel, and HR personnel to map out the best course of action.
Timely Action to Avoid Delays:
If a new PERM application is necessary, it should be filed as soon as possible to minimize processing delays and potential disruptions to the employee’s immigration timeline.

How Location Changes Affect Immigrant Employees

For employees, a location change while the PERM process is pending approval can be both an opportunity and a challenge. Employees should consider:

Impact on Green Card Timeline:
A fresh PERM application can delay the green card process. Discuss the potential timeline changes with your employer and legal counsel to understand the effect on your immigration goals.
Move Within Same Area vs. Another Area:
Changing locations within the same metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is less likely to raise complications compared to moves crossing state or regional boundaries.
Maintaining Good Standing with the Employer:
Despite the logistical challenges, employees should closely coordinate with their employers to ensure ongoing communication during the transition.

Non-Compliance and Its Consequences

Failing to address location changes in an active PERM application can have serious consequences. For example:

PERM Denial:
If the DOL determines that the job location on the application is inaccurate or misleading, the PERM could be outright denied.
Green Card Repercussions:
Non-compliance with location rules can delay or disrupt the green card process, potentially requiring the employee to restart from scratch.

Real-World Example

Consider a software engineer working for a multinational tech company in San Francisco, California 🇺🇸, whose PERM is tied to the city’s prevailing wage. If the company assigns the employee to a new role in Austin, Texas 🇺🇸, the prevailing wage might differ. Recruitment efforts in Austin would focus on the local talent pool, and such changes could likely necessitate a new PERM application.

Recommendations and Resources

To navigate location changes during a pending PERM application effectively, both employers and employees must educate themselves about potential outcomes and legal obligations. Seeking assistance from qualified immigration attorneys and reputable resources is highly recommended.

One such resource is the U.S. Department of Labor’s official website on PERM Labor Certification, which offers detailed guidance on prevailing wages, recruitment processes, and filing procedures.

Additionally, VisaVerge.com’s analysis highlights that each case is unique, requiring customized solutions tailored to factors such as the employer’s location, the job description, and the employee’s immigration history. Both parties must work together to ensure minimal disruptions to the immigration process.

Conclusion

Changing your location with the same employer while your PERM is pending approval is feasible, but it requires careful planning, legal consultation, and precise execution. By understanding the implications of a location change on prevailing wages, recruitment, and compliance, you can navigate this complex scenario effectively. Always ensure that your application stays accurate and truthful to avoid unnecessary delays or denials. Detailed preparation and open communication with all involved parties create the best chance for a successful outcome.

Learn Today

PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) → A system for employers to hire foreign workers by demonstrating a lack of qualified U.S. workers for a job.
Prevailing Wage Determination → A process to ensure offered wages match or exceed minimum standards for a job in a specific location.
Material Change → Substantial modifications, such as job location shifts, which may require restarting or altering an immigration application process.
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) → A designated region often used to analyze local labor markets, including wage and employment conditions.
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) → A government agency overseeing labor practices, including compliance with immigration processes like the PERM application.

This Article in a Nutshell

Relocating during a pending PERM process is possible but complex. Changes impact prevailing wages, recruitment, and compliance, potentially requiring a new application. Employers must reassess terms, consult legal experts, and act swiftly to ensure alignment with labor laws. Employees should prioritize communication, understanding potential delays, and meticulously navigating this pivotal green card step.
— By VisaVerge.com