The Department of Labor (DOL) has updated its processing times for PERM applications and Prevailing Wage Determinations (PWDs). The updated processing times are as follows:

PERM Applications

The DOL reported that as of May 31, 2022, it was processing PERM applications filed in November 2021 or earlier. In the month of May 2022, it took the DOL an average of 191 calendar days to process PERM applications (slightly over 6 months).

Further, as of May 31, 2022, the DOL was processing audits for PERM applications filed in September 2021 or earlier. In the month of May 2022, it took the DOL an average of 278 calendar days to process audits. Therefore, if an audit was issued on a PERM application, then almost 3 months were added to the total processing time of that PERM application.

Additionally, the DOL was processing Reconsideration Requests filed in January 2022.

Prevailing Wage Determinations

The DOL reported that as of May 31, 2022, the National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) was issuing PERM PWDs for applications filed in November 2021 (OES and non-OES) or earlier. The DOL reported it is taking slightly over 6 months to issue PERM PWDs.

Further, the NPWC was also processing PERM Redetermination Requests filed in March 2022.

By: Camille Joson

Camille Joson is a Senior Associate Attorney in the firm’s PERM Labor Certification Department, where she assists clients in the beginning stages of the green card process.