DOL PERM: Queue Dates Missing; Avg Time Improves to 300 Days
By Mitchell Saum, Founder & EB-3 Specialist ·
Summary: DOL pulled the posted months for PERM Analyst and Audit Review, so there’s no visible forward movement in the line. The average PERM decision time nudged from 303 to 300 days. PWD shows no new month posted—overall, roughly unchanged for EB-3 workers.
Key Takeaways
- DOL removed the posted months for PERM Analyst and Audit Review; no visible line movement.
- PERM average time nudged from 303 to 300 days; PWD shows no new month posted.
- Overall timing is roughly unchanged—stay the course and keep your case moving.
DOL removed the visible queue months for PERM reviews, but the average processing time inched down. Here’s the snapshot and how to plan your EB-3 timeline around it.
What changed
- PERM Analyst Review: was January 2026; now N/A. No current month is posted, so we can’t see where the front of the line sits. Net effect: no visible forward movement.
- PERM Audit Review: was December 2025; now N/A. Same story—the month isn’t listed this cycle.
- PERM average calendar days: improved to 300 days (from 303). A small speed-up, but not a major shift.
- Prevailing Wage (PWD): no new month posted on the FLAG page. That signals no change we can see this cycle.
Source: DOL FLAG processing times page (flag.dol.gov/processingtimes).
What this means for your case
Think of the process in two gates:
- PWD sets the minimum wage your employer must offer for your job and location. Until PWD is issued, you can’t move to recruitment and PERM filing.
- PERM is the labor certification—DOL confirms there aren’t qualified, available U.S. workers for your role. Once PERM is approved, you can file the I-140 and start the green card final steps when your priority date is current.
With the Analyst and Audit Review months now listed as N/A, we lose a clear view of how far the line advanced. Practically, that means you shouldn’t assume faster movement just because the average dipped from 303 to 300 days. It’s a small improvement, not a trend by itself.
If you’re waiting on PWD, nothing in this update speeds that step up. If your PERM is filed and pending, plan for roughly similar timing as last month, with a slight chance of a quicker decision. Bottom line: the process is roughly unchanged. Keep your case moving in the steps you control.
What to do now
- If you’re pre-PERM (waiting on PWD): confirm your employer or attorney filed the wage request and that job details (title, duties, location) are accurate. Use this time to draft the recruitment plan and gather experience letters and diplomas.
- If you’re in recruitment: keep ads on schedule and save every proof (tear sheets, screenshots, invoices). Clean documentation prevents delays later.
- If your PERM is filed: note your filing date and set a reminder ~9–10 months out. Be audit-ready (organize recruitment evidence now). Respond fast if your attorney asks for anything.
- Plan the next steps: line up I-140 documents, employer financials (as needed), and your civil docs. If you might adjust status, track your priority date against the Visa Bulletin so you can file the I-485 quickly when eligible.
- Stay in touch: check in with your sponsor/attorney monthly. Ask whether they see any movement on similar cases in their pipeline.
What to watch
DOL typically refreshes the FLAG processing times about once a month. Expect the next update in roughly 3–5 weeks.
- Analyst/Audit Review months: watch for the month labels to reappear and advance. That’s the clearest signal the visible line is moving.
- PWD month: any forward shift reduces the upstream bottleneck. If it advances, earlier recruitment and PERM filings become possible.
- Average days trend: one small drop (303 → 300) isn’t a pattern. Two or three drops in a row would suggest sustained improvement.
No drama here—just a steady course. Keep your documents ready, keep your communication tight, and let the clock do its work.