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PERM Processing Times and Case Tracking Guide

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PERM Processing Times and Case Tracking Guide

Checking PERM processing times helps employers and workers set expectations, while tracking a labor certification case shows whether the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has acted on a specific filing. You’ll need the case number or filing details and access to the DOL’s official processing-time and case-status pages; the employer or its immigration attorney may have the most complete records.

What You’ll Need

  • The PERM case number, usually beginning with a letter followed by digits, if available.
  • The date the PERM application was filed, and whether it is an original application or an audit review.
  • The employer’s name and the applicant’s name as recorded on the filing, if you need help locating the case.
  • Access to the DOL’s Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) website, or a way to ask the employer or attorney to check.

Step-by-Step

  1. Confirm what you are tracking. PERM, formally called permanent labor certification, is handled by the DOL. It is separate from the later Form I-140 immigrant petition filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and from visa availability or consular processing. A DOL PERM status will not show progress on those later stages.
  2. Find the filing date and case number. Ask the employer or its attorney for the PERM submission confirmation or case details. The filing date is generally the date DOL received the application electronically. Do not confuse it with the date recruitment started, the prevailing-wage determination date, or a later date when someone received a notice. Keep the case number private and use it only on official sites or with authorized representatives.
  3. Open the DOL’s current processing-times page. Go to the DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) website and find its processing-times information for PERM applications. Use the latest posted information, not an old search result, forum post, or third-party estimate. DOL updates its estimates periodically, so note the page’s “as of” date.
  4. Choose the correct processing category. The page may report separate timeframes for analyst review and audit review, and may show which filing months are currently being processed. Compare your case’s filing month with the category that applies. An audited case can take longer than a case not selected for audit; an audit response does not necessarily mean the case will be decided immediately.
  5. Read the estimate as a snapshot, not a promise. DOL’s posted timeframe describes its workload at a point in time. It is not a guaranteed decision date, and it does not mean a particular case is being handled exactly in order. Record the date you checked and the reported month or estimate so you can compare later updates fairly.
  6. Check the individual case in FLAG. Use the DOL FLAG website’s case-status or case-search function, if available for the filing, and enter the requested case number or other details exactly as shown on the filing confirmation. Follow the site’s prompts; do not add punctuation, change leading letters, or substitute a receipt number from USCIS. Status labels and available search fields can change, so follow the instructions currently displayed.
  7. Match the result to your records. Verify that the case number, employer, and filing information correspond to the application you mean to track. Save or print the status page for your records and note the date checked. A status page may show a broad stage rather than a detailed history, and the processing-times page may be more useful for estimating general queue progress.
  8. Check for mail and account updates through the employer. DOL notices are generally sent to the employer or its authorized representative, not necessarily to the worker. Ask the employer or attorney to check the FLAG account and any correspondence for a decision, audit notice, request for information, or other action. Agree on who will monitor notices and how quickly they will share them.
  9. Follow up when the case appears outside the posted range. First confirm the filing date, case type, and latest DOL estimate. If the case is substantially older than the relevant processing range, ask the employer or attorney to review the case in FLAG and use the official OFLC contact or inquiry procedure listed on the DOL site. Provide the case number and filing date, but do not send sensitive documents through an unverified channel.
  10. Track the next step after a decision. If DOL certifies the application, the employer generally uses the certification in a later I-140 filing, subject to applicable deadlines and requirements. If DOL denies it, ask the employer’s attorney to explain the decision and discuss available options. A PERM approval is not itself a visa, green card, or guarantee of an I-140 or immigration benefit.

Common Mistakes

  • Treating a posted average as a deadline. Processing estimates change and do not promise when an individual case will be decided.
  • Comparing unlike cases. Do not compare an audited case with a standard analyst-review estimate, or a PERM filing date with recruitment or prevailing-wage dates.
  • Using the wrong tracking number. A PERM case number is not the same as a USCIS receipt number for an I-140 or another petition.
  • Assuming the worker receives every notice. Correspondence may go to the employer or attorney. Lack of a direct email or letter does not prove that nothing has happened.
  • Relying on unofficial status claims. Social media posts and tracking services may be outdated, incomplete, or about a different case type.
  • Sharing personal information too freely. Avoid posting case numbers, names, or documents publicly. Confirm a website or contact method is an official DOL channel before entering information.

Tips

  • Keep a simple log with the case number, filing date, category, date checked, status, and any follow-up.
  • Check the DOL processing page on a regular schedule, such as monthly, rather than repeatedly refreshing it. Use the page’s update date when comparing estimates.
  • Ask the employer or attorney for a copy of important notices and confirmation of who is responsible for responding. Audit deadlines and other response periods matter; get prompt advice from the case representative if a notice arrives.
  • Use exact filing information when searching, and keep copies of confirmation receipts and correspondence in a secure place.
  • If you are the worker, coordinate through the sponsoring employer or its authorized representative. They may be the only people with access to the case account and full filing record.

Troubleshooting

The case does not appear in search: Recheck the case number against the filing confirmation, including letters and leading zeros. Confirm that you are using the DOL FLAG site and the correct case-search option. If the application is recent, the public status may not yet be available. Ask the employer or attorney to verify the case in its account.

The status has not changed for a long time: Compare the filing date with the latest estimate for the right processing category. Check whether the employer or attorney received an audit notice or other correspondence. If the case is well beyond the posted range, have the authorized representative use the official inquiry process; avoid submitting duplicate inquiries without checking existing correspondence.

The online status conflicts with a notice: Keep a copy of the notice and ask the employer or attorney to confirm which information controls and whether a response is required. Do not ignore a deadline because the online page appears unchanged.

The website is unavailable or a search field is unclear: Try again later, use the help or contact information on the official DOL site, or ask the representative who filed the application. Do not send case documents to an address found only in an unofficial post.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does DOL update PERM processing times?
Updates are periodic and can vary. Check the date shown on the official OFLC page each time rather than assuming a fixed update schedule.

Can I track a PERM case without its case number?
It may be difficult to find the individual filing without it. Request the case number from the sponsoring employer or its attorney; they can also check through the filing account.

Does the processing-time estimate tell me my exact decision date?
No. It is a general snapshot of DOL workload, not a case-specific appointment or guaranteed decision date.

Does a PERM case number track my I-140 too?
No. PERM is a DOL labor-certification filing. The I-140 is a separate USCIS petition with its own receipt number and status tools.

What does an audit mean for my case?
DOL has requested additional documentation or review. The employer must follow the notice instructions and deadlines. Ask the employer’s attorney to explain what is needed and who will submit it.

Can I contact DOL directly as the employee?
You can consult official public information, but the employer or authorized representative generally has the filing records and handles case correspondence. Coordinate with them before making an inquiry.

Related

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