Getting Started with PERM Tracker

What you'll learn: How to create your PERM Tracker account, set up your first case, enter key dates for automatic deadline calculation, track recruitment activities, configure email and push notifications, and use the calendar and timeline views — all in under 5 minutes.

Welcome to PERM Tracker

PERM Tracker is a free case management tool built specifically for immigration attorneys handling PERM labor certification cases. This tutorial will walk you through everything you need to start tracking your cases effectively.

New to PERM? Start with our overview of PERM labor certification first.

Watch the Product Demo

See PERM Tracker in action — this interactive demo walks through the dashboard, case management, deadline tracking, and more.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Head to permtracker.app/signup and create your account using Google Sign-In or email. The process takes less than 30 seconds.

Once signed in, you'll land on your Dashboard — the central hub for all your PERM cases.

Step 2: Create Your First Case

Click the "New Case" button on your Dashboard or Cases page. You'll need to provide:

• Beneficiary name — The foreign worker's name
• Company name — The sponsoring employer
• Case stage — Where the case currently stands (PWD, Recruitment, ETA 9089, I-140)

That's all you need to get started. You can add more details as the case progresses.

Step 3: Enter Key Dates

The real power of PERM Tracker comes from its deadline calculation engine. As you enter dates, the system automatically calculates:

• PWD expiration — When the prevailing wage determination expires
• Recruitment windows — When recruitment activities must be completed
• Filing deadlines — When the ETA 9089 must be filed
• I-140 deadline — The 180-day window after certification

Simply enter dates as they become available, and PERM Tracker handles the math.

Step 4: Track Recruitment Activities

For cases in the Recruitment stage, PERM Tracker provides a built-in checklist of required recruitment activities:

• SWA job order (30 days)
• Two Sunday newspaper ads
• Internal job posting (30 days)
• Three additional recruitment steps

Check off each activity as it's completed. The system validates that all requirements are met before you can proceed.

Step 5: Set Up Notifications

Never miss a deadline again. PERM Tracker offers multiple notification channels:

• Email alerts — Sent days before deadlines
• Push notifications — Real-time browser notifications
• Dashboard warnings — Visual urgency indicators on your case cards

Configure your notification preferences in Settings to choose which alerts you receive and how far in advance.

Step 6: Use the Calendar & Timeline

Two powerful views help you manage your caseload:

• Calendar — See all deadlines across all cases in a familiar calendar format
• Timeline — A Gantt-chart style view showing case progression and overlapping deadlines

These views make it easy to spot conflicts and plan your workload.

What's Next?

Now that you're set up, explore these features and guides:

• Tracking deadlines — Learn how the automated deadline engine works and how to set up notifications
• Recruitment tracking — Set up recruitment activity checklists for cases in the recruitment stage
• Cascade updates — When you change a key date, dependent deadlines update automatically
• Validation warnings — The system flags potential issues before they become problems
• AI assistant — Ask questions about PERM regulations directly in the app

For a comprehensive understanding of the PERM process itself, read our Ultimate PERM Guide or the complete filing guide.