Important Updates
Important Updates
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
October 30, 2025 | ChinaChina: Physical Social Security Card to Continue to Be Issued
October 30, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Work Permit and Social Security Cards Integrated Under New Enhanced System
October 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 30, 2025 | PanamaPanama: Government Reporting Requirement Enforced; Strict Penalties May Apply
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
October 30, 2025 | ChinaChina: Physical Social Security Card to Continue to Be Issued
October 30, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Work Permit and Social Security Cards Integrated Under New Enhanced System
October 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 30, 2025 | PanamaPanama: Government Reporting Requirement Enforced; Strict Penalties May Apply
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationFragomen Consulting EuropeImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

United States: Proposal to Request Public Comment on Expanding List of Occupations Eligible for Streamlined Green Card Processing Clears OMB

December 15, 2023

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a glance

  • A U.S. Department of Labor proposal to solicit public input on possible expansion of the “Schedule A” list of occupations exempt from the PERM labor certification process has cleared Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and is expected to be published soon.
  • The proposal is expected to invite public comment on the possible expansion of “Schedule A” to include STEM and other occupations for which U.S. workers are in short supply.
  • The proposal is intended to carry out one of the immigration-related mandates set forth in the recent Executive Order on artificial intelligence (AI), in order to promote the attraction and retention of foreign AI talent.

The issue

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed its review of a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposal to request public comment on the possible expansion of the list of occupations eligible for streamlined green card processing – known as “Schedule A” – to include STEM-related and other occupations for which U.S. workers are considered to be in short supply.

This proposal is intended to effectuate a specific mandate in the recent Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence (AI). That Order, issued on October 30, contained a number of immigration-related provisions, one of which directs DOL to publish a request for information (RFI) within 45 days to solicit public input aimed at identifying AI and other STEM-related and other occupations for which there are an insufficient number of ready, willing, able, and qualified U.S. workers.

Under existing regulations, permanent residence cases involving occupations identified in Schedule A as being in short supply are not required to undergo a labor market test and can skip the PERM application process, significantly reducing the overall timeline for attaining employment-based permanent residence. Schedule A currently covers only certain health care occupations and individuals of exceptional ability, and the possibility of expanding this list to certain identified STEM and other shortage occupations would represent a significant step toward streamlining the employer-sponsored green card process.

What’s next

The Executive Order on AI calls for DOL to publish the request for public input on expanding Schedule A by mid-December. Now that the proposal has cleared OMB, publication of the request for public comment on the proposal is expected soon. The Federal Register notice will specify the deadline for submission of comments.

After considering the public’s input, DOL may issue a proposed or interim final rule to amend Schedule A, which would provide for an additional opportunity for public comment on any proposed changes to Schedule A.

If your organization wishes to comment in response to DOL’s upcoming solicitation for public input, please contact your designated Fragomen professional or the firm’s Government Strategies and Compliance group. 

Fragomen is closely following developments related to the possible expansion of Schedule A, and implementation of the immigration-related provisions of the Executive Order on AI generally. A follow-up Client Alert will be issued when DOL publishes its solicitation for public input on possible revisions to Schedule A, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen. 

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Games Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee

Senior Manager William Diaz outlines the US visa options available to the games industry for bringing international talent to the United States, including O-1, L-1 and E-2.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?

Partner Jo Antoons and Manager Andreia Ghimis explain how businesses can navigate Europe’s new ETIAS pre-travel authorisation and avoid disruptions.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: How Easy Is It for Overseas Creatives to Work in the UK?

Partner Louise Haycock and Associate Jennifer Gray analyse the barriers and opportunities for overseas creatives navigating the UK’s immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Claiming British Citizenship Through Ancestral Lineage: Who Is Eligible?

Associate Chloe Evans outlines eligibility criteria for individuals seeking British citizenship based on ancestral ties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Semiconductors Presents: "Voice of the Industry" October 2025 Q&A with Shari Liss

Fragomen’s Semiconductor Industry Group publishes the next installment of its “Voice of the Industry” Q&A series, featuring Shari Liss, Vice President of Global Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Legalny napływ cudzoziemców do pracy powstrzymany

Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights how Poland’s tightened visa system affects foreign hiring and the challenges companies face in navigating it.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee

Partner Carl Hampe provides insight on the impact of the $100,000 H-1B fee and the US Chamber of Commerce’s related lawsuit.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2025 FEM EMEA “Best Partnership” EMMA for Collaboration with TBB

Fragomen was honoured with the “Best Partnership Between a Corporate Organization and a Service Provider” EMMA at FEM's 2025 EMEA Summit.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Flags Immigration Crackdown as Risk to Food Supply

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how H-2A visa strategies can help sustain a skilled US agricultural workforce.

Learn more

Blog post

Intra-African Mobility: Unlocking the Continent’s Promise Through Free Movement

Director Willys Mac’Olale discusses how intra-African mobility can unlock the continent’s economic and social potential by promoting free movement, fostering integration and development.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee

Senior Manager William Diaz outlines the US visa options available to the games industry for bringing international talent to the United States, including O-1, L-1 and E-2.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?

Partner Jo Antoons and Manager Andreia Ghimis explain how businesses can navigate Europe’s new ETIAS pre-travel authorisation and avoid disruptions.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: How Easy Is It for Overseas Creatives to Work in the UK?

Partner Louise Haycock and Associate Jennifer Gray analyse the barriers and opportunities for overseas creatives navigating the UK’s immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Claiming British Citizenship Through Ancestral Lineage: Who Is Eligible?

Associate Chloe Evans outlines eligibility criteria for individuals seeking British citizenship based on ancestral ties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Semiconductors Presents: "Voice of the Industry" October 2025 Q&A with Shari Liss

Fragomen’s Semiconductor Industry Group publishes the next installment of its “Voice of the Industry” Q&A series, featuring Shari Liss, Vice President of Global Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Legalny napływ cudzoziemców do pracy powstrzymany

Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights how Poland’s tightened visa system affects foreign hiring and the challenges companies face in navigating it.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee

Partner Carl Hampe provides insight on the impact of the $100,000 H-1B fee and the US Chamber of Commerce’s related lawsuit.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2025 FEM EMEA “Best Partnership” EMMA for Collaboration with TBB

Fragomen was honoured with the “Best Partnership Between a Corporate Organization and a Service Provider” EMMA at FEM's 2025 EMEA Summit.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Flags Immigration Crackdown as Risk to Food Supply

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how H-2A visa strategies can help sustain a skilled US agricultural workforce.

Learn more

Blog post

Intra-African Mobility: Unlocking the Continent’s Promise Through Free Movement

Director Willys Mac’Olale discusses how intra-African mobility can unlock the continent’s economic and social potential by promoting free movement, fostering integration and development.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.