What family members may file a petition for me to obtain a green card?

U.S. citizens may file immigration petitions for their spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Green card holders may file immigration petitions for their spouses and unmarried children.

Do I have to leave the U.S. to apply for my green card?

Some persons may complete the entire green card process in the U.S. (Adjustment of Status), and others need to attend an interview in their home country (Consular Processing). If you entered the U.S. with a visa/inspection or if someone filed an immigration petition for you on or before May 1, 2001, you may complete the entire process in the United States.

If I need to leave the U.S. to attend an interview in my home country (Consular Processing), how long will I be out of the country?

In most cases, if everything is prepared well in your case, you will only need to leave the U.S. for approximately 1-2 weeks for your interview.

What if I entered the U.S. unlawfully or had immigration problems in the past?

A waiver may be available for unlawful presence, misrepresentations, or other issues. Do not leave the U.S. before finding out if you need a waiver because not all problems have a waiver, and you could be stuck outside the United States.

Will the changes regarding the “public charge” rule affect my case?

Most immigrants still qualify for a green card even with recent changes regarding whether a person is likely to become a “public charge.” Supporting evidence is needed in order to avoid negative “public charge” determinations.

Permanent Residence (Green Card)

Home / Practice Areas / Family & Individual Immigration Law / Permanent Residence (Green Card)

New Mexico PERM and Employment-Based Green Card Lawyers

There are many ways foreign nationals can obtain permanent residence (a green card) in the United States through business and employment. The most common way involves three steps: a Labor Certification (PERM), an I-140 petition, and either an application for adjustment of status or an application for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad.

The entire permanent residence process can be lengthy, and for many, it can be quite daunting. At Vrapi Weeks, we take care of every step of the process so that owners and managers can retain valuable employees and focus on running their organization, not worrying about immigration barriers. With compassionate, personalized attention and clear, professional advice, we help employees work where they want and employers hire who they want.

Who We Serve

Whether you’re an employer building your team or a professional planning your future in the U.S., we’re here to guide you through every step. We help:

Employers hiring foreign professionals who need to know whether PERM is required before employment-based sponsorship can move forward.
Companies retaining a valued employee who want to sponsor a worker in temporary status for permanent residence so they can stay long-term.
First-time PERM sponsors who have agreed to support an employee but have never handled the prevailing-wage, recruitment, or filing process.
Employers with specialized positions that require specific duties, education, or experience to be accurately defined and documented before recruitment begins.
HR teams managing multiple sponsorships who need a consistent way to coordinate job details, recruitment records, documentation, and filing deadlines.
Foreign professionals with confirmed employer support who want to understand their role in the employer-led PERM process.

If any of these situations sound familiar, our team can help you determine the best way to move your case forward.

How PERM and Employment-Based Green Cards Work

Employment-based permanent residence usually requires following a clear sequence of requirements, and the PERM labor certification is often the first major step. The PERM process is intended to ensure that employers do not seek to employ a foreign national when qualified U.S. workers are ready, willing, able, and available to fill the position. In general, the path includes:

Prevailing wage determination – Your organization confirms the appropriate wage for the position through the Department of Labor.
Recruitment – The employer tests the labor market through required recruitment steps to show that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the role.
PERM labor certification (Form ETA-9089) – Once recruitment is complete and documented, the employer files the labor certification with the Department of Labor.
Immigrant petition (Form I-140) – After certification, the employer files the immigrant petition on the employee’s behalf.
Green card application – Depending on the situation, the foreign national employee can either adjust status in the United States or can apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad and become a permanent resident (green card holder).

We work with you to determine your options and any other immigration benefits you may be eligible for, taking care of each step so you can focus on your future and your business.

Why Choose Vrapi Weeks?

Deep Employment Immigration Experience – With much of our work in healthcare and education, we understand the demands of professional and specialized roles and offer legal services to meet them.
Attention to Complex Requirements – We handle prevailing wage, recruitment, and documentation with the precision these cases demand.
Full-Service Support – We guide you from your first consultation through labor certification, the I-140 petition, and the green card.
Clear, Timely Communication – We keep you informed with consistent updates, so you never have to wonder where your case stands.

Have Questions About Permanent Residence? We Can Help.

Employment-based permanent residence is worth pursuing with a knowledgeable, compassionate team by your side. Whether you’re an employer protecting your workforce or a professional planning your future, Vrapi Weeks can help you build a clear plan and take your next steps with confidence.

Schedule a consultation with our team today. Share your goals and information with one of our lawyers, and let us take care of the rest.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is PERM, and when is it required?

PERM, or Program Electronic Review Management, is the labor certification process the Department of Labor uses for many employment-based green cards. It requires the employer to test the U.S. labor market and confirm that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position. Not every employment-based case needs PERM, so during your consultation we’ll review the role and let you know whether it applies.

Who leads the PERM process, the employer or the employee?

PERM is an employer-driven process. The employer requests the prevailing wage, conducts recruitment, and files the labor certification. The foreign professional plays an important supporting role, especially with documenting education and experience. We coordinate both sides so everyone understands their part and nothing falls through the cracks.

How long does the PERM and green card process take?

Timelines depend on Department of Labor and USCIS processing times, your visa category, and country-specific wait times for a visa number. Some steps move faster than others, and delays can happen. We’ll give you a realistic picture based on your specific situation and keep you updated throughout.

Can a current employee in temporary status be sponsored for a green card?

In many cases, yes. Employers often sponsor valued employees who already work for them in a temporary status so they can stay long-term. We’ll review the employee’s current status and help you plan the right path toward permanent residence.

What happens after the PERM labor certification is approved?

Once the labor certification is approved, the employer typically files an I-140 immigrant petition. After that, the employee can apply for permanent residence, either through adjustment of status inside the United States or consular processing abroad, depending on their circumstances and visa availability.