As of September 01, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released updated processing times for PERM Labor Certification applications, along with prevailing wage determination (PWD) timelines. These updates remain a key reference point for employers and foreign national employees navigating the employment-based green card process. Monitoring processing times is essential for effective planning and compliance.

PWD Processing Times

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

• OES wage requests (standard) filed in May 2025
• Non-OES wage requests (private wage surveys) filed in March 2025
• Redetermination requests filed in May 2025

At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we are seeing PWDs issued in approximately 4 months, which aligns with the official reports.

Although processing times remain lengthy, we have seen an improvement for PWDs, with averages now around 4 months compared to the 6 months previously observed. This positive trend suggests the DOL has been able to make some headway in reducing the backlog, though timelines may still fluctuate depending on filing volumes and seasonal demands.

PERM Processing Times

The DOL is currently processing:

• PERM applications filed in June 2024
• Reconsideration requests filed in July 2025

The reported average processing time for PERM applications is 472 days (approximately 15.5 months).

At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we are seeing PERM approvals (if not audited) in approximately 15.5 to 16 months, which is consistent with the averages reported by the DOL.

Why This Matters

Delays at the PERM stage ripple across the entire green card process. Employers cannot move forward with the I-140 immigrant petition or subsequent adjustment of status or consular processing until the PERM is approved. For foreign national employees, long waits can also impact H-1B extensions, “max-out” strategies, and long-term career planning.

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

• Proactively align immigration and workforce planning strategies
• Prepare documentation in advance to avoid last-minute delays
• Anticipate the need for temporary work visa extensions
• Mitigate risks to work authorization and business operations

At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we track these developments closely and provide clients with practical guidance on how to navigate them. While the current environment requires patience, informed planning helps reduce uncertainty and keeps 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.