As of January 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released updated PERM Labor Certification and Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) processing times. These updates are a critical planning tool for employers and foreign national employees navigating the employment-based green card process.

Given ongoing backlogs and the lingering effects of the October 2025 federal government shutdown, careful monitoring of DOL processing times remains essential for compliance, workforce planning, and long-term business immigration strategy.

Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) Processing Times

The National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) is currently processing:

• OES wage requests (standard): Filed in August 2025
• Non-OES wage requests (private wage surveys): Filed in June 2025
• PWD redetermination requests: Filed in September 2025

Current PWD Trends

At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we are seeing PWDs issued in approximately 4 months, which closely aligns with the DOL’s published timelines.

While PWD processing times remain lengthy, there has been a noticeable improvement. Previously, average processing times were closer to six 6 months, suggesting the DOL has made some progress in reducing its backlog. That said, timelines may continue to fluctuate based on filing volumes, seasonal demand, and agency staffing levels.

PERM Labor Certification Processing Times

The DOL is currently processing:

• PERM applications: Filed in August 2024
• PERM audit cases: Applications filed in December 2024
• PERM reconsideration requests: Filed in August 2025

The average PERM processing time reported by the DOL is approximately 500 days, or 16.5 months.

Firm Observations

Consistent with the DOL’s data, Reddy Neumann Brown PC is seeing PERM approvals (for cases not selected for audit) in approximately 16.5 to 17 months.

Impact of the October 2025 Government Shutdown on PERM Processing

Employers should be aware that PERM processing times have likely increased even more due to the federal government shutdown, during which the Department of Labor was closed from October 1, 2025 through October 30, 2025.

Although DOL processing has resumed, the shutdown effectively paused case adjudications for nearly a full month. As a result, the DOL likely continues to work through accumulated backlogs, particularly at the PERM stage.

Why PERM and PWD Processing Times Matter

Delays at the PERM Labor Certification stage impact the entire employment-based green card process. Employers cannot proceed with the I-140 immigrant petition or subsequent adjustment of status or consular processing until PERM approval is secured.

For foreign national employees, prolonged PERM timelines can impact:

• H-1B extension eligibility beyond the six-year limit
• Long-term immigration and career planning
• Work continuity

Planning Ahead in a Delayed PERM Environment

By closely monitoring DOL processing time updates, employers and foreign national employees can:

• Proactively align immigration strategy and workforce planning
• Start the PERM process early
• Prepare I-140 documentation in advance
• Anticipate the need for temporary work visa extensions
• Mitigate risks to work authorization and business operations

At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we closely track PERM and PWD developments and provide clients with practical, forward-looking guidance. While the current environment requires patience, informed planning and early strategy remain the best tools for keeping the employment-based green card process moving forward as smoothly as possible.

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.