United States | DOL PWD and PERM processing times as of Jan. 5

The Department of Labor posted the latest processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests.

PERM Processing Times: As of Jan. 5, the department is adjudicating PERM applications filed in August 2024 and earlier and reviewing appeals for reconsideration filed in August 2025 and earlier.

These dates reflect the month and year in which cases were filed and are currently being adjudicated. The Reconsideration Request date for reviewing appeals reflects the month and year in which cases that are currently being reviewed were appealed. For various reasons, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) may be completing the processing of applications filed prior to the month posted.

Average Number of Days to Process PERM Applications

This date reflects the amount of time to process applications. Actual processing times for each employer’s PERM application may vary from the average depending on material facts and individual circumstances of the case. The OFLC is reporting the average processing time for all PERM applications for the most recent month.

PWD Processing Times: As of Jan. 5, the National Prevailing Wage Center is processing PWD requests filed in August 2025 for H-1B and PERM OEWS* cases. For H-1B and PERM Non-OEWS* cases, the department was processing requests filed in June 2025 and earlier.

*OEWS and Non-OEWS are the sources used for determining the prevailing wage for a job. OEWS stands for Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Non-OEWS refers to other sources used for prevailing wage determinations, such as collective bargaining agreements or private wage surveys.

Redeterminations were being considered on appeals filed in August 2025 and earlier for H-1B cases and September 2025 and earlier for PERM cases.

Center Director Reviews were being conducted for PERM cases filed in October 2025 and earlier.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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