PERM Tracker
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Which employment green card fits?

A few questions about the job and about you, matched against the regulation's own definitions: which categories could apply, whether each needs a PERM or an employer, and where its queue stands.

This matches your answers against the regulation's definitions. It isn't legal advice: whether a case meets a definition is USCIS's decision on the evidence, and an immigration attorney reads that evidence.

Who would sponsor you?
What does the job require at minimum?
What do you hold?
Tick any that are true

Usually your country of birth. It only changes the links below.

One category could fit

  • EB-3, professional or skilled worker

    The job requires a bachelor's degree, which makes it a professional EB-3 job.

    PERM needed
    Yes
    Job offer needed
    Yes
    Who files
    The US employer
    Rule
    8 CFR 204.5(l)
    This line in the bulletin People ahead in it
What this can't tell you
  • Whether your evidence meets a definition. That's USCIS's decision, and an attorney's job to judge first.
  • Anything about family-sponsored or investment green cards beyond pointing to them.
  • Temporary visas such as H-1B or L-1, which are a separate question from the green card category.
  • How long a category takes. Each result links to its bulletin line and, for EB-2 and EB-3, the people ahead.

Definitions from 8 CFR 204.5 (eCFR, read Sep 26, 2026) and USCIS's national interest waiver guidance (Policy Manual Volume 6, Part F, Chapter 5, current as of Sep 23, 2026).

FAQs

Does my degree decide EB-2 or EB-3?
On a PERM, the job decides. The regulation bases the category on the training and experience the employer requires for the job, as DOL certified it. Someone with a master's degree in a job requiring a bachelor's is in EB-3, and in a job requiring under two years of experience is an EB-3 Other Worker.
Which categories don't need an employer?
Two: EB-1A for extraordinary ability, and the EB-2 national interest waiver. Either can be filed by the person themselves. Every other employment category needs a US employer, and EB-2 and EB-3 through an employer need a PERM first.
What is the national interest waiver test?
USCIS applies three parts, from Matter of Dhanasar: the proposed work has substantial merit and national importance, the person is well positioned to advance it, and on balance it would benefit the United States to waive the job offer and labor certification. It also needs an advanced degree or exceptional ability.
Can I be in more than one category?
Yes. People file in several at once, for example a PERM-based EB-2 and a national interest waiver, or EB-2 and EB-3 on the same PERM. The earliest priority date can carry to a later petition under conditions the retention tool walks through.

The rules behind these numbers

Waiting on a PERM case?

  • When it'll likely be decided
  • An email when DOL moves it

It's on your ETA-9089 receipt. A case number looks like G-100-26125-868956.

Don't have the number?