The Department of Labor (DOL) issued updated PERM processing times as of February 01, 2025 for PERM applications and prevailing wage determinations (PWD). The DOL has now established a fixed schedule for PERM updates on its FLAG website. Moving forward, PWD processing times will be updated by close of business (COB) at the end of the first workweek of each month, reflecting data as of 12 AM EST on the first of the month. Similarly, PERM processing times will follow the same update schedule. Regularly checking these updates helps employers and foreign workers stay informed about processing timelines, enabling better planning and preparation throughout the employment-based green card process.

February 2025 Updated PWD and PERM Processing Times

The National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) is processing PWDs that were filed in July 2024 for both OES wages (standard) and non-OES wages, which includes private wage surveys. Further, the NPWC is processing redetermination requests submitted in October 2024. Currently at Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we are seeing PWDs being issued in about 6 months.

The DOL is processing PERM applications filed in October 2023. On average, the DOL is adjudicating PERM applications in approximately 489 days (if no audit is issued). That is a 27-day increase from what the DOL reported in January 2025. There still appears to be no data provided by the DOL in this February update for PERM applications that have been audited. However, based on the December 2024 update, DOL stated the agency was processing audits for PERM applications that were filed in December 2022, with an average total processing time of 496 days. Also, the DOL is processing PERM reconsideration requests that were submitted in July 2024, indicating no change from the January 2025 update. Currently at Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we are seeing PERM applications approved (if not audited) in approximately 15-16 months, which is consistent with the average processing times reported by the DOL.

Staying informed about PERM processing time updates is essential for effective planning and compliance in the employment-based green card process. By regularly checking for updates, employers and foreign workers can better anticipate timelines, avoid unnecessary delays, and ensure a smoother transition through each stage of the process. Proactive awareness helps manage expectations, maintain work authorization, and navigate any potential challenges.

Reddy Neumann Brown PC is committed to keeping you informed with the latest updates on PERM processing times, ensuring you have the information needed to navigate the employment-based green card process with confidence.

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.