As of July 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has updated its processing times for PERM Labor Certifications, marking it the second release of processing data within July. However, Prevailing Wage processing times remain unchanged since July 01, 2025. These updates remain essential for employers and foreign national employees navigating the employment-based green card process, as they offer critical insight into the timing of each stage.

PERM Processing Updates

The DOL is currently adjudicating PERM applications filed in April 2024, with an average processing time of approximately 496 days, provided no audit is issued. Reconsideration requests are being processed for those made in May 2025. Once again, no data has been provided for audited cases in this latest update.

At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, our current experience aligns with this data, as we are seeing non-audited PERM cases approved in about 16 months.

Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) Updates

As of July 01, 2025, the National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) is processing:

• OES wage requests filed in March 2025
• Non-OES wage requests (including private wage surveys) filed in January 2025
• Redetermination requests filed in February 2025

At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we continue to observe that PWDs are typically being issued within approximately 4-5 months from the filing date.

Why These Updates Matter

Timely access to processing timelines allows employers to:

• Plan ahead for I-140 petitions, adjustment of status filings, and consular processing
• Coordinate temporary work visa extensions or transitions as foreign workers approach, for example, H-1B max-out dates
• Avoid unnecessary delays and maintain compliance with immigration requirements

Why Employers Should Start the PERM Process Early

Given the long and often unpredictable processing timelines for both PERM Labor Certification and Prevailing Wage Determinations, it is critical for employers to initiate the green card process as early as possible if they intend to sponsor a foreign worker for permanent residency. Delays at any stage can significantly impact an employee’s ability to maintain lawful status and continue working without interruption. Early planning enables employers to:

• Plan Strategically for I-140 Petitions and Green Card Filings:
  Starting the PERM process early ensures that employers can move forward with the I-140 immigrant petition and either adjustment of status or consular processing without unnecessary delays. Timely progression through each step is vital to preserving employees’ long-term immigration status and work authorization.
• Avoid Gaps in Work Authorization as H-1B Max-Out Approaches:
  For employees on temporary work visas such as the H-1B, early PERM initiation is essential for timely eligibility to extend H-1B status beyond the six-year maximum. This is especially true for employees born in countries with significant green card backlogs. Filing too late may jeopardize the employee’s ability to remain in the U.S. and continue working lawfully.
• Maintain Compliance and Avoid Risk:
  PERM compliance is highly technical, and any misstep (such as missing a deadline or failing to follow proper recruitment protocols ) can result in denial or audit. Starting early allows time to navigate the process thoughtfully and reduce the risk of delays or denials.

For foreign national employees, understanding these timeframes offers greater visibility into long-term immigration planning and work authorization continuity. At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we are committed to keeping our clients informed as the DOL continues to issue updates. We will continue to monitor processing trends and provide timely guidance to help both employers and employees confidently move forward through each phase of the green card process.

By : Krystal Alanis

Krystal Alanis is a Partner at Reddy Neumann Brown PC and manages the firm’s PERM Labor Certification Department, where she oversees all EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green card matters. Krystal guides clients from a variety of industries through the maze of the PERM Labor certification process and has handled thousands of PERM applications throughout her career with Reddy Neumann Brown PC. Krystal also guides employers and individuals through the I-140 and Adjustment of Status process, and assists clients with temporary work visa petitions (e.g., H-1B, TN, L-1, E-2). With over 13 years of immigration experience, Krystal is able to advise her clients with confidence and recognize any potential pitfalls that may arise.