The U.S. government is updating employment-based green card sponsorship standards after completing a federal review of proposed modifications to the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed regulation, clearing it for publication in the Federal Register.
According to an October 26, 2026 Fragomen immigration advisory obtained by PUNCH Online, the new rules will modernize hiring requirements for employers sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency.
Additionally, the revisions will enforce stricter corporate compliance standards and strengthen protections for U.S. workers affected by layoffs.
This initiative could mark the first comprehensive overhaul of the PERM program since 2005.
“Under the existing PERM framework, employers must demonstrate that there are insufficient qualified, willing and available US workers for the position before sponsoring a foreign national for permanent employment.
“The process is a key requirement for many employment-based green card applications, particularly those under the EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa categories,” the advisory read.
Following OMB review, the Department of Labor will publish the proposed regulation in the Federal Register.
Publication will open a formal public comment period for employers, immigration attorneys, companies, and other stakeholders.
Backstory…
Employment-based green cards have also become an important route to permanent residency for foreign professionals, including Nigerians seeking long-term opportunities in the United States.
The planned review comes amid broader changes to US immigration procedures in 2026. Separately, US authorities revised the financial sponsorship process for many family-based green card applications, introducing an updated Affidavit of Support form from October 1 that permits immigration officials to request consumer-report information to assess sponsors’ financial circumstances.
The government also revised its public charge policy, effective September 18, expanding the range of public benefits that may be considered in certain immigration assessments.
Read Also: Trump Administration Revokes Over 300,000 US Visas Amid Immigration Crackdown
