DOL PERM Update: Slower Line, Avg 336 Days; PWD Unchanged

Key Takeaways

• PERM shows 336 average days (was 372), but the line moved slower overall
• PWD shows no clear movement, so PERM start times aren’t speeding up
• Add buffer to your timeline, prep I-140 docs, and watch next month’s DOL update

Bottom line: the PERM line slowed this cycle. The Department of Labor’s FLAG page now shows PERM average calendar days at 336 (was 372), and there’s no clear movement on PWD. Even with that lower number, the queue itself didn’t advance in a way workers will feel. Plan on a longer wait to clear PERM.

Important: Not legal advice. Immilink is not a law firm. This article is general information only. For guidance on your specific case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney.

What changed

• PERM (Analyst Review) – Average Calendar Days: 336 days (was 372). Despite the lower figure, real-world movement through the queue slowed compared to last cycle. A dip in the average can happen when the DOL clears a batch of older cases without moving the current working date forward.
• Prevailing Wage (PWD): No clear change posted on the FLAG page this cycle. Treat PWD as effectively unchanged for planning.

Source: DOL FLAG processing times: https://flag.dol.gov/processingtimes

What this means for your case

Two building blocks drive your EB-3 timeline before USCIS even gets involved: PWD and PERM.

PWD sets the minimum wage the employer must offer for your job and location. Your employer requests it from DOL. Until PWD is issued, PERM can’t be filed. With no clear PWD movement, there’s no new speed-up to get your PERM started.

PERM is the labor certification. DOL checks that the employer tried to hire U.S. workers and that the job offer meets wage rules. A slower line means your PERM approval may take longer than you hoped, even if the average days number looks smaller on paper.

For a real worker, this pushes everything to the right. If you’re waiting on PERM approval, expect added weeks (and possibly months) before you can file the I-140 and, later, move to the green card stage when your Visa Bulletin date is current. If you’re still on PWD, your start line hasn’t moved up, so your overall timeline doesn’t accelerate.

What to do now

• Stay the course, but adjust your calendar. Add buffer to your expected PERM decision window. Share the updated timeline with family and your sponsor so everyone’s aligned.
• If you’re on PWD: Confirm your employer/attorney submitted the PWD correctly and that recruitment and PERM forms are prepped to file as soon as PWD arrives.
• If you’re in PERM review: Keep all recruitment evidence and job details tight. Ask your employer/attorney to confirm audit-readiness so any DOL request doesn’t cause extra delay.
• Prep the next step now. Gather I-140 documents (passports, degree evaluations, translations, work letters) so you can file quickly once PERM is approved.
• Track your case. Set a reminder to re-check the DOL page after the next monthly update and note any movement.

What to watch

DOL typically refreshes processing times about once a month, often in the first half of the month. When the next update drops, look for:

• PERM queue movement forward by a month or more. That’s the clearest sign the line is speeding up for active cases.
• PWD movement that shortens time to file PERM. Any forward shift there helps your overall start date.
• Risk signals: stagnant queue dates across two updates, a rising audit workload, or average days creeping up again.

We’ll keep tracking the DOL page and translate the numbers into real timelines for EB-3 workers. Focus on what you can control: complete documents, fast responses, and readiness for the next stage.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor — FLAG Processing Times