Dive Brief:
- The Labor Dept. has reported an increase in the number of employment-related applications for the PERM program in 2016, SHRM reports. The DOL received 97,504 PERM applications in 2016, representing an 11% increase from 2015.
- PERM is an extensive process of gathering detailed information about each foreign worker before they are issued a green card. According to the report, computer and mathematical occupations comprised a majority (58%) of applicants in 2017.
- Andrew Wilson of immigration law firm Serotte Reich Wilson told SHRM that delays with the PERM program have been caused by a backlog in processing Indian and Chinese nationals, which has increased the overall volume of applications. The wait time for applicants can be so long that many opt for other jobs or switch companies.
Dive Insight:
With continued shortages in talent for STEM occupations, it's not surprising that employment-related green card applications are up in 2016. California saw the greatest increase by about 25% of the total applicant pool, which indicates that more foreign workers are applying for American jobs.
Under a Trump administration, it's expected that the process of hiring H-1B visa holders will become increasingly complex and expensive — meaning more skill gaps and shortages for some. Employers can get a head start on protecting against these problems by hiring now with the support of an agency that specializes in international recruitment.
