DOL Update: PWD Moves to May 2026; PERM Unchanged

Key Takeaways

• PWD advanced to May 2026 for both OEWS and Non‑OEWS; PERM unchanged
• Processing pace is roughly steady—no major timeline shift this month
• Use this time to prep recruitment and documents so you can move fast

Bottom line: modest movement on Prevailing Wage, steady on PERM. The Department of Labor’s FLAG page now shows PWD Receipt Dates at May 2026, while PERM didn’t advance this cycle. That’s a small nudge, not a big speed-up.

What changed

From the DOL FLAG processing times page (source):

• PWD OEWS Receipt Date: moved from April 2026 to May 2026.
• PWD Non‑OEWS Receipt Date: moved from March 2026 to May 2026.
• PERM: no noted change this cycle.

What that means in plain English: DOL is now working on PWD requests filed in May 2026. That’s a slight forward push (especially for Non‑OEWS, which jumped two months), but overall processing cadence looks roughly the same. With PERM unchanged, the bigger EB‑3 timeline hasn’t shifted much.

What this means for your case

EB‑3 has several steps. Two of the earliest with the Department of Labor are:

• Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD): DOL sets the official minimum wage your employer must offer for your role and location. You can’t start PERM recruitment or file PERM until this is approved.
• PERM (Labor Certification): DOL reviews the employer’s recruitment and certifies there aren’t qualified U.S. workers ready, willing, and able for the role. This clears the path to the I‑140 and, when a visa is available, final green card steps.

With PWD now at May 2026, workers whose PWD receipt dates are in May 2026 or earlier are closer to getting that wage decision. If your receipt date is after May 2026, you’re still in line.

Since PERM didn’t move, workers already in the PERM queue aren’t seeing a timing change. In other words, this update mainly nudges people waiting on PWD; it doesn’t materially change the overall EB‑3 timeline for most cases this month.

Big picture: one month of PWD movement is good but not game‑changing. Your plan shouldn’t change based on this alone.

What to do now

• If you’re waiting on PWD: Check your PWD receipt date. If it’s May 2026 or earlier, ask your sponsor or attorney to watch for the determination. Use this time to get recruitment materials and job ads planned so you can move quickly once PWD is approved.
• If you’re past PWD and waiting on PERM: Stay the course. Keep your documents organized (experience letters, passports, civil records) so later steps don’t slow you down once PERM clears.
• Employers and sponsors: Note the May 2026 PWD date on your calendar. Line up recruitment steps so there’s no downtime after wage approval.
• Everyone: Track the FLAG page monthly and keep your own timeline spreadsheet. Small shifts add up, and being ready saves weeks.

What to watch

DOL typically refreshes the FLAG processing times about once a month. We’ll be watching for:

• Bigger PWD jumps: If PWD moves more than a month in the next cycle, that’s a real sign of acceleration.
• PERM Analyst Review movement: Any forward shift here has the biggest impact on when you can file the I‑140.
• Consistency between OEWS and Non‑OEWS: Both now sit at May 2026. If they stay aligned and keep inching forward, that’s healthy.

We’ll keep tracking the numbers and call out any meaningful changes. For now, treat this as a steady month with a small PWD nudge.

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.

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