How Long Is PERM Taking Right Now?
As of August 31, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor reported an average of 336 calendar days for PERM applications completed in Analyst Review. The Analyst Review queue was processing November 2025 priority dates. These figures apply after Form ETA-9089 is filed and do not include the prevailing wage determination or the recruitment period that comes before filing.
DOL does not publish one official end-to-end average from the first prevailing wage request through PERM certification. A case started from the beginning must complete the PWD and pre-filing recruitment calendar before entering the ETA-9089 adjudication queue. That means the full start-to-certification timeline is longer than the current 336-day Analyst Review average even when the case is not audited.
Average calendar time for Analyst Review determinations completed in August 2026.
This shows the priority-date month DOL reports as currently being adjudicated. A queue month and an average processing time are different metrics.
DOL listed May 2026 receipt dates for PERM prevailing wage requests using both OEWS and non-OEWS wage sources.
DOL listed December 2025 for the Audit Review queue and reported the current Audit Review average as N/A.
Current PERM Timeline by Stage
DOL notes that actual PERM processing time can vary according to the material facts and individual circumstances of each application.
What Happens Before the Current Analyst Review Timeline Applies?
The current 336-day Analyst Review average becomes relevant only after ETA-9089 is filed. Before that point, the employer must define the permanent job, obtain a valid Prevailing Wage Determination and complete the applicable recruitment steps.
Prevailing Wage Determination
DOL must issue a valid PWD before the PERM application is filed. Under 20 CFR 656.40(c), the validity period specified by DOL may not be less than 90 days or more than one year from the determination date. The employer must file the application or begin the applicable recruitment period within that validity window.
Recruitment calendar
For a standard professional occupation, mandatory recruitment generally must occur at least 30 days and no more than 180 days before filing. Three additional recruitment methods are required, and only one may consist solely of activity during the final 30 days before filing.
Notice of Filing
Where posting is required because there is no applicable bargaining representative, the Notice of Filing generally must be posted for at least 10 consecutive business days and provided between 30 and 180 days before filing.
ETA-9089 filing date
The earliest usable filing date depends on the PWD validity period and the dates of the required recruitment steps. An advertising or timing error can delay filing if a step has to be repeated.
What Can Make PERM Take Longer?
Audit
If DOL issues an audit, the employer must submit the requested supporting record. DOL currently lists the Audit Review average as N/A, so a fixed number of extra months should not be treated as an official estimate.
Supervised recruitment
A Certifying Officer may order supervised recruitment under 20 CFR 656.21. The additional calendar depends on the CO's instructions, advertising, applicant review and recruitment report.
Recruitment errors
Incorrect advertising language, expired recruitment, missed timing windows or an unusable recruitment step can push the ETA-9089 filing date later.
Material case changes
Significant employer, job or worksite changes can require additional analysis and, depending on the facts and timing, may require part of the PERM strategy to be rebuilt.
PERM Timing and the H-1B Six-Year Limit
For an H-1B worker approaching the normal six-year limit, the important planning date is usually when the qualifying labor certification or employment-based immigrant petition was filed—not when the prevailing wage request was submitted.
Under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(13)(iii)(D), a person who currently holds or previously held H-1B status may qualify for H-1B time beyond the normal six-year limit when at least 365 days have elapsed since the filing of a qualifying labor certification or since the filing of a qualifying employment-based immigrant petition under INA 203(b), subject to the other requirements of the rule. Qualifying approvals under this provision may be granted in increments of up to one year.
A separate provision can permit H-1B validity in increments of up to three years for an eligible principal beneficiary of an approved EB-1, EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant petition who could otherwise receive that immigrant status but for application of the per-country limitation.
After PERM Approval: What Happens to the Timeline?
PERM certification completes the Department of Labor stage. It does not grant a green card and should not be confused with later USCIS processing or Visa Bulletin waiting time.
180-day I-140 filing window
Under 20 CFR 656.30(b), an approved permanent labor certification generally expires if it is not filed in support of Form I-140 within 180 calendar days after DOL certification.
I-140 is a separate USCIS stage
USCIS separately reviews the requested immigrant classification, the beneficiary's qualifications and the petitioning employer's ability to pay the proffered wage. Eligible common PERM-based EB-2 non-NIW and EB-3 classifications may use premium processing.
Faster I-140 processing does not make an immigrant visa number immediately available. Adjustment of status or consular processing remains subject to the applicable employment-based category and visa-number rules.
Does Country of Birth Change PERM Processing Time?
During PERM
Country of birth does not create a separate DOL PERM processing queue. The published PERM queues and averages apply to the labor-certification process, not to country-specific immigrant-visa backlogs.
Later in the green-card process
Country of chargeability can become important after PERM because immigrant visa availability depends on the employment-based preference category and the Department of State Visa Bulletin.
A long EB-2 or EB-3 Visa Bulletin wait for a particular country therefore should not be described as a longer DOL PERM processing time. These are separate stages of the employment-based immigration process.
PERM Processing Time FAQ
How long is PERM taking in 2026?
As of August 31, 2026, DOL reported an average of 336 calendar days for Analyst Review determinations completed in August 2026. The Analyst Review queue was at November 2025. This does not include the PWD and recruitment stages before ETA-9089 filing.
How long does the entire PERM process take from the beginning?
DOL does not publish one official end-to-end average. A full timeline includes the prevailing wage stage, recruitment and pre-filing timing, ETA-9089 adjudication and, where applicable, an audit or supervised recruitment.
Is the 336-day figure a guarantee?
No. It is DOL's average for Analyst Review determinations completed during August 2026. DOL states that actual processing time may vary according to the facts and circumstances of each application.
How long is the PERM prevailing wage stage right now?
DOL does not publish a guaranteed PWD processing time for a new request. As of August 31, 2026, the PERM PWD processing queue showed May 2026 receipt dates.
How much time does a PERM audit add?
There is no reliable current official average to add to every audited case. DOL listed the Audit Review queue at December 2025 and the current average as N/A.
Can PERM be premium processed?
No. DOL does not offer premium processing for Form ETA-9089. Premium processing may become relevant later for eligible Form I-140 classifications.
Does filing a prevailing wage request protect an H-1B worker from max-out?
A prevailing wage request is not the filing of the labor certification for purposes of the 365-day H-1B rule. Timing analysis should focus on the qualifying labor-certification or employment-based immigrant-petition filing and the worker's actual H-1B max-out date.
Does country of birth affect DOL PERM processing time?
It does not create a separate DOL PERM queue. Country of chargeability can become important later for immigrant visa availability under the Visa Bulletin.
How long is an approved PERM valid?
An approved permanent labor certification generally must be filed in support of Form I-140 within 180 calendar days after DOL certification.
Related Arvian Resources
Complete PERM Process Guide
Detailed coverage of job requirements, PWD, recruitment, ETA-9089, audits and PERM compliance issues.
Read the complete PERM process guideForm ETA-9089 Guide
How the employer, permanent job, prevailing wage, recruitment record and sponsored worker are reflected in the PERM filing.
Read the Form ETA-9089 guideH-1B Max-Out Calculator and PERM Timing
Plan PERM and I-140 filing milestones around the H-1B six-year limit and relevant extension rules.
H-1B max-out and PERM timing guideEmployment-Based Immigration
Overview of employment-based immigration pathways beyond the PERM processing-time stage.
Employment-based immigration guideOfficial Sources
DOL FLAG Processing Times
Current PERM PWD, Analyst Review and Audit Review processing data.
DOL FLAG Processing Times8 CFR 214.2
H-1B rules, including qualifying extensions beyond the normal six-year limitation.
8 CFR 214.2USCIS Form I-140
Official USCIS information for the immigrant petition filed after qualifying PERM certification.
USCIS Form I-140USCIS Premium Processing
Official USCIS information on premium processing eligibility and applicable adjudicative-action timeframes for eligible Form I-140 classifications.
USCIS Premium ProcessingProcessing figures in this article use DOL data through August 31, 2026. DOL updates these queues and averages regularly, so the dated snapshot should be refreshed when a newer PERM processing report is published.
Guidance on related U.S. immigration categories
Compare eligibility criteria, filing procedures, documentation requirements, and practical considerations for U.S. immigration categories relevant to this topic.
-
EB-3 for skilled workers and professionals
For employer-sponsored skilled workers, professionals and other workers.
-
PERM employer-sponsored route
For wage planning, recruitment and labor certification before many EB-2 and EB-3 petitions.
