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Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) Updates: June 2025 Processing Times & PERM Delays

  • Jun 10
  • 2 min read

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released critical updates on Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) processing times as of June 9, 2025. These timelines impact employers filing PERM labor certifications for EB-2/EB-3 green cards and H-1B visa petitions. Delays persist due to high demand, making strategic planning essential.

Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) Processing Times – June 2025

The National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) reports the following as of May 31, 2025:

Current PWD Processing Dates

  • PERM Cases (OEWS Data): Filed in February 2025 or earlier.

  • PERM Cases (Non-OEWS Surveys): Filed in December 2024 or earlier (longer delays).

  • H-1B Cases (OEWS): Filed in February 2025 or earlier.

  • Redeterminations/Appeals: Filed in February 2025 or earlier.

Official Resource: Track statuses via the DOL FLAG System.

Key Insights

  1. Non-OEWS Cases Take Longer: Private wage surveys (common for tech/engineering roles) add 1–2 months versus OEWS data.

  2. Redeterminations Move Faster: Appeals resolved in ~4 months, but approvals are rare without new evidence.

  3. Regional Variations: High-demand states (CA, NY, TX) face slower reviews due to volume.

How PWD Delays Affect PERM Processing (500+ Days)

The Prevailing Wage Determination is the first step in PERM, and its delays cascade into the overall timeline:

  1. PWD Phase: 5–7 months (June 2025 data).

  2. Recruitment Phase: ~3 months (mandatory advertising).

  3. PERM Filing to Approval: 16.5+ months (February 2024 filings now under review).

Total Timeline: 20–24 months for PERM-based green cards.

Employer Action Plan

  1. File PWD Immediately: Start 12–18 months before a worker’s visa expiration (e.g., H-1B Year 5).

  2. Audit-Proof Submissions:

    • Use OEWS data where possible (faster approvals).

    • Justify non-OEWS surveys with SOC code alignment.

  3. Consider Alternatives: EB-1, EB-2 NIW, or EB-5 for bypassing PERM/PWD backlogs.

Conclusion

The Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) process remains a bottleneck, with June 2025 data showing 5–7 month waits. Employers must:

  • Monitor DOL FLAG for real-time updates.

  • Consult attorneys for complex cases (e.g., non-OEWS wages).

  • Email NPWC at PWD.Chicago@dol.gov for urgent inquiries.

For PERM-specific strategies, revisit our USCIS Form Updates Guide.

Visual flowchart showing 2025 PERM and Prevailing Wage Determination processing times, from PWD filing to green card approval.

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