US PERM Processing Times Extend Beyond 16 Months as DOL Works Through September 2025 Filings
Updated: Aug 15
WASHINGTON, August 15, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has posted its latest permanent labor certification (PERM) processing updates, revealing that employers and foreign nationals now face an average waiting time of 372 calendar days for standard analyst review, with the agency currently adjudicating applications filed in September 2025 and earlier.
The latest data, posted by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) on August 7, 2026, underscores the persistent backlog that continues to stretch the timeline for employment‑based green card applications. For Indian professionals who account for a significant share of PERM filings, this means a delay of over a year before the labor certification stage is complete, with subsequent I‑140 and I‑485 steps still pending.
Current PERM Processing Times: August 2026 Snapshot
Determination | Processing Month | Calendar Days |
Analyst Review | July 2026 | 372 days |
Audit Review | — | 343 days (avg., March 2026 data) |
Reconsideration (Appeals) | March 2026 | — |
Note: The DOL is currently adjudicating standard PERM applications filed in September 2025 and earlier. Audited cases filed in March 2026 and earlier are in a separate review queue, and reconsideration requests from March 2026 are also under review .
The average Analyst Review processing time of 372 calendar days reflects the time it takes to process applications in the standard queue . Actual timelines may vary case‑by‑case, and audited applications are handled in a separate, slower track.
What These Numbers Mean for Employers and Applicants
For employers sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency, the extended PERM timeline has cascading effects:
The PERM labour certification is the first critical step in most employment‑based green card applications. It requires the employer to demonstrate that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position, after completing prevailing wage determination (PWD) and mandatory recruitment. Until PERM is certified, the employer cannot file Form I‑140 .
Average PERM processing time has fluctuated throughout 2025–2026, with earlier months showing 400–500 days. The current 372‑day average, while lower than peaks, still represents over a year of waiting after filing .
Audits can add significant extra time — cases selected for audit are routed to a separate queue that currently averages 343 days . This can push the total PERM timeline beyond 2 years for some applicants.
No premium processing is available for PERM, so there is no way to expedite the DOL’s review . Once the PERM is certified, however, employers may file Form I‑140 with premium processing to speed up that stage.
"In contrast to USCIS, the DOL does not impose filing fees and relies completely on Congress for operational funding. Consequently, if there is a sudden rise in labor certifications or prevailing wage requests, it takes a considerable amount of time to adjust staffing levels to accommodate the increased demand."— Henry Lindpere, Attorney at Manifest Law
Prevailing Wage Determination and Other Precursor Steps
The PERM filing itself comes after two major pre‑filing steps:
Step | Typical Duration |
Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) | 4–9 months |
Mandatory Recruitment | 60 days minimum (up to 180 days) |
The DOL is currently processing PERM‑related PWD requests filed around March–April 2026 . Employers are advised to start the PWD process and recruitment activities as early as possible to avoid compounding delays.
How to Track Your PERM Case
Employers and applicants can:
Use the DOL’s FLAG system to check adjudication dates by priority date.
Compare their filing date against the latest month posted by DOL.
Contact the OFLC PERM Helpdesk at plc.atlanta@dol.gov if their case has not been adjudicated more than three months past the posted processing month .
Recommendation: Employers should start the PERM process at least 24 months before a visa expires, as the total green card journey can take 2 to 3 years or longer .
Related News
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
DOL FLAG System – PERM Processing Times | |
DOL PERM FAQ for Employers | |
OFLC PERM Helpdesk |
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