The PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) labor certification process is an important step in many employment-based permanent immigration cases. Through PERM, an employer must document the requirements of the offered position and establish that the foreign worker meets those requirements.
When a position requires foreign education, or when the beneficiary's educational and professional background requires additional explanation, a professional credential or work experience evaluation may provide useful supporting documentation.
What Is PERM Labor Certification?
PERM labor certification is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The process generally requires an employer to establish that there are not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available for the position and that employing the foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
As part of the process, the employer identifies the permanent, full-time position and its actual minimum requirements, including applicable education, training, and experience requirements. The foreign worker's qualifications are then documented in the PERM application based on those requirements.
Why Credential Evaluations May Matter in PERM
1. Documenting Foreign Degree Equivalency
When a PERM position requires a particular level of education and the foreign worker holds a degree from outside the United States, a credential evaluation may help explain how that degree compares with a U.S. educational credential.
Depending on the circumstances, an evaluation may review academic records and other documentation to identify the U.S. equivalency of a foreign degree. This can provide clearer documentation when an employer or immigration professional needs to demonstrate how the beneficiary's education relates to the requirements of the position.
2. Providing Clear Educational Documentation
Foreign educational systems can differ in degree structure, grading systems, terminology, and documentation. A professional evaluation can organize and explain this information in a format that is easier to review.
Where appropriate, a detailed evaluation can also help clarify the level and field of study associated with a foreign credential and its relationship to the educational requirements identified for the position.
3. Addressing Specific Educational Requirements
Some PERM positions have specific educational requirements, such as a particular degree level or field of study. In these situations, additional documentation may be useful when the foreign worker's academic background is not immediately comparable to the terminology used in the U.S. job requirements.
For example, a course-by-course evaluation may provide additional academic detail when the field of study or coursework needs to be examined more closely. Whether this level of evaluation is appropriate depends on the requirements of the position and the documentation available.
4. Considering Education and Work Experience
Some PERM positions may include requirements involving a combination of education, training, and professional experience. In certain circumstances, an employer may establish requirements that allow qualifying experience to be considered in accordance with the applicable PERM rules and the requirements stated for the position.
A work experience evaluation can provide professional analysis of a beneficiary's prior employment, responsibilities, and experience. However, an evaluation does not independently change the employer's minimum requirements or automatically substitute work experience for a required degree. The relevance of the evaluation depends on the specific requirements of the position and the facts of the case.
5. Supporting Consistent Documentation
PERM filings require consistency between the employer's stated job requirements and the foreign worker's documented qualifications. When foreign education or professional experience requires additional explanation, organized supporting documentation can help employers and immigration professionals present the information clearly.
Credential and work experience evaluations should therefore be viewed as supporting documentation rather than as a guarantee of certification or approval.
Common PERM Documentation Challenges
Employers and immigration professionals may encounter documentation issues when a foreign worker's educational or professional background does not clearly correspond to the requirements of the offered position.
Common issues may include:
Difficulty explaining the U.S. equivalency of a foreign degree
Differences in degree titles or educational systems
Questions about the field or level of a foreign degree
Complex combinations of education, training, and professional experience
Inconsistencies between the stated job requirements and supporting documentation
The need for additional documentation or clarification during a DOL review or audit
Careful preparation of the underlying documentation can help present the beneficiary's qualifications in a clear and organized manner.
How International Evaluations Helps Employers
International Evaluations provides professional evaluation services that may be used as supporting documentation in applicable employment-based immigration matters.
Our services include:
Degree Equivalency Evaluations – Professional assessment of foreign educational credentials and their U.S. equivalency.
Course-by-Course Evaluations – Detailed review of academic coursework when additional educational analysis is appropriate.
Work Experience Evaluations – Professional analysis of employment history, duties, and experience where an evaluation is relevant to the case.
Expert Opinion Letters – Independent professional analysis for cases involving specialized academic or professional issues where expert analysis may be useful.
Our evaluations are prepared based on the documentation provided and the requirements of the specific matter. The appropriate type of evaluation depends on the facts of the case and the documentation required by the employer and immigration professional.
Who May Benefit From These Evaluations?
Employers
Employers may use professional evaluations to better document and explain a foreign worker's educational or professional qualifications when relevant to the requirements of the position.
Immigration Attorneys
Immigration attorneys may use evaluations as supporting documentation when preparing employment-based immigration filings and addressing questions involving foreign education or professional experience.
Foreign Workers
Foreign workers with international degrees or complex educational and professional backgrounds may benefit from a clear explanation of their credentials and experience when such documentation is relevant to an immigration matter.
Conclusion
Credential and work experience evaluations are not universally required for PERM labor certification. Their relevance depends on the requirements of the position, the foreign worker's qualifications, and the documentation needed for the particular case.
When foreign education or professional experience requires additional explanation, a professional evaluation may provide useful supporting documentation and help present the qualifications in a clear and organized manner.
International Evaluations provides credential evaluations, work experience evaluations, and expert opinion services for applicable employment-based immigration matters. Our goal is to provide professional documentation that helps employers and immigration professionals clearly present the qualifications relevant to their cases.
Disclaimer: International Evaluations does not guarantee approval, prevent denials or Requests for Evidence (RFEs), or guarantee any other immigration outcome. USCIS and the U.S. Department of Labor independently review immigration filings under applicable laws, regulations, policies, and filing requirements. International Evaluations provides professional documentation support and is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. For case-specific legal guidance, applicants, employers, and petitioners should consult a qualified immigration attorney.