Question 1

Does The Sphere Institute sponsor green cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Sphere Institute has filed 7 PERM labor certification applications with the Department of Labor, with 6 certified. The median processing time from filing to decision has been 82 days.

Question 2

What is the current PERM processing time?

Accepted Answer

The DOL processing time from PERM filing to decision typically ranges from 6 to 18 months. This does not include the prevailing wage determination (1–6 months) or the recruitment period (2–3 months) that happen before filing. For The Sphere Institute, the median processing time from filing to decision has been 82 days. See the processing time chart above for year-over-year trends.

Question 3

How long does it take to get a green card through The Sphere Institute?

Accepted Answer

The full employer-sponsored green card timeline depends on three stages: PERM labor certification (6–18 months), I-140 petition with USCIS (4–6 months, or 15 days with premium processing), and adjustment of status or consular processing. For applicants from countries with visa backlogs like India and China, the wait for a visa number after I-140 approval can add years. The total process from start to green card typically takes 1–5+ years.

Question 4

What triggers a PERM audit?

Accepted Answer

The DOL may audit a PERM application if certain risk factors are present: layoffs within 6 months of filing, the foreign worker having an ownership interest in the company, job requirements that exceed the norm for the occupation, foreign language requirements, or combination occupations. An audit requires additional documentation but does not mean the case will be denied.

Question 5

What is The Sphere Institute's PERM approval rate?

Accepted Answer

The Sphere Institute has a 100% PERM approval rate across 7 total applications (6 certified, 0 denied, 1 withdrawn). The national average PERM approval rate is approximately 85%. Note that withdrawn cases are not counted in the approval rate calculation.

Year	Filings	Certified	Withdrawn	Median Processing Days
2019	1	1	0	55
2018	2	2	0	99
2017	3	2	1	125
2016	1	1	0	77

Job Title	Salary	Location	Filed	Decision	Days	Status
Lead Software Developer A-19141-08360	$123,240	Washington, DC	Jun 19, 2019	Aug 13, 2019	55	Certified
Pymt Plcy & Fraud Surv. Quant. Anlyst - See H. 11 A-18009-29001	N/A	Burlingame, CA	Mar 21, 2018	Jun 28, 2018	99	Certified
Policy Lead A-17362-26026	N/A	Washington, DC	Mar 21, 2018	Jun 28, 2018	99	Certified
Senior Health Care Data Analyst A-17194-63381	N/A	Burlingame, CA	Sep 8, 2017	Feb 22, 2018	167	Certified-Expired
Authentication and Enterprise Integration Specialist A-17020-93609	$98,988	Burlingame, CA	Jan 20, 2017	Apr 12, 2017	82	Certified
Authentication and Enterprise Integration Specialist A-16341-77696	$98,988	Burlingame, CA	Jan 20, 2017	Jan 20, 2017	0	Withdrawn
Senior Quantitative Analyst and Programming Expert A-16168-22831	$84,657	Washington, DC	Aug 9, 2016	Oct 25, 2016	77	Certified-Expired

The Sphere Institute — Green Card PERM Data

The Sphere Institute PERM & Green Card Filings

PERM Filings by Quarter

PERM Processing Time by Year

All PERM Filings

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