DOL PERM and Prevailing Wage Processing Times: August 2026 Update

WASHINGTON, September 5, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released its latest monthly report on permanent labor certification (PERM) and prevailing wage determination (PWD) processing times, providing a critical snapshot for employers and foreign nationals navigating the employment-based green card process.

As of August 31, 2026, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is conducting analyst review for PERM applications filed in November 2025 or earlier, while audit reviews are progressing through December 2025 filings. This represents an incremental advancement from previous months, as the agency continues to work through a significant backlog.

Published: September 5, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team

DOL updates PERM and PWD processing times for August 2026

PERM Processing Times at a Glance

Review Type	Filing Month Being Processed
Analyst Review	November 2025 or earlier
Audit Review	December 2025 or earlier
Reconsideration Requests	April 2026 or earlier

Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) Processing Times

Request Type	Filing Month Being Processed
PERM and H-1B PWDs (OEWS-based and non-OEWS)	May 2026 or earlier
PERM and H-1B Redeterminations	June 2026 or earlier
PERM Center Director Reviews	June 2026 or earlier
H-1B Center Director Reviews	July 2026 or earlier

What These Numbers Mean for Applicants

The latest data indicates that standard PERM applications are currently taking approximately 12 to 15 months to reach the analyst review stage. This is consistent with the average processing times reported by the OFLC in recent months.

Analyst Review

Applications filed in November 2025 are now being reviewed by analysts. This represents the standard, non-audit track for PERM applications.

Audit Review

Applications filed in December 2025 are currently under audit review. Audited cases typically take longer than standard analyst reviews due to the additional scrutiny required.

Reconsideration Requests

The DOL is now processing reconsideration requests filed in April 2026 or earlier. This includes appeals and requests for review of previously denied applications.

Prevailing Wage Determinations

The agency is issuing PWDs for PERM and H-1B requests filed in May 2026. For redeterminations, center director reviews, and other appeals, the agency is processing filings from June and July 2026.

Key Takeaways for Employers and Applicants

Consideration	Implication
Plan for Extended Timelines	PERM processing now takes 12–15 months for standard review; audits add significant additional time
PWD Lead Time	Prevailing wage determinations are processing approximately 3–4 months from filing
Audit Risk	Applications selected for audit face longer delays; ensure thorough documentation from the start
Track Regularly	DOL updates these processing times monthly on the FLAG system

Read Also

• USCIS Proposes $103,265 Fee for H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions – Comments Open August 25

• USCIS Expands Public Charge Review: New Green Card Guidance Takes Effect September 18

• U.S. Appeals Court Partially Reinstates USCIS Re-Review Policy for Travel Ban Nationals While Litigation Continues

Official Resources

Resource	Link
DOL FLAG System	flag.dol.gov
PERM Processing Times FAQ	dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/perm
OFLC Processing Times	dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/oflc

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