Processing Times | Flag.dol.gov Skip to main content
Processing Times Update Schedule
PWD: Updated COB at the end of first work week of each month for data ending at 12am EST at the first of each month
PERM: Updated COB at end of first work week of each month for data ending at 12am EST at the first of each month
H-2A: Updated Monday of each week (or next business day) for weekly data ending COB of each Saturday
H-2B: Updated Monday of each week (or next business day) for weekly data ending COB of each Saturday and additional updates on Wednesday and Friday for data as of COB on previous day
CW-1: Updated Monday of each week (or next business day) for weekly data ending COB of each Saturday

 

Prevailing Wage Determination Processing Times (as of 04/09/2026)

Processing QueueOEWS Receipt DateiNon-OEWS Receipt Datei
CW-1March 2026--
H-1BJanuary 2026January 2026
H-2BMarch 2026March 2026
PERMJanuary 2026January 2026
Redeterminations

H-1B: January 2026

PERM: December 2025

Center Director Reviews

CW-1: January 2026

H-1B: N/A

H-2B: September 2025

PERM: January 2026

CW-1
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
January 20264
February 202617
March 2026195

H-1B
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
November 20256
December 202510
January 202697
February 2026254
March 2026289

H-2B
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
December 20261
January 20269
February 202620
March 2026414

PERM
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
September 20257
October 20250
November 202571
December 2025287
January 20267,843
February 202612,096
March 202615,617

[i] The above dates reflect the month and year in which applications were filed (request date) or submission date of the appeal request for Redeterminations or Center Director Review. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) encourages employers to request a prevailing wage determination for the H-2B program at least 60 days before the date the determination is needed. For various reasons, OFLC may be completing the processing of applications filed prior to the month posted.
[ii] Withdrawn and voided requests are excluded from the total, which may cause the numbers for previous months to fluctuate.


PERM Processing Times (as of 03/12/2026)
Processing QueuePriority Date
Analyst ReviewNovember 2024
Audit ReviewJune 2025
Reconsideration Request to the COSeptember 2025

These dates reflect the month and year in which cases were filed and are currently being adjudicated. The Reconsideration Request to the CO date reflects the month and year in which cases that are currently being reviewed were appealed. For various reasons, OFLC may be completing the processing of applications filed prior to the month posted. If your application was filed more than three months prior to the month posted, you may contact the OFLC PERM Helpdesk for a status on the application at oflc.plc@dol.gov.

Average Number of Days to Process PERM Applications
DeterminationsMonthCalendar Days
Analyst ReviewMarch 2026501
Audit ReviewMarch 2026343

These dates reflect the amount of time to process applications. Actual processing times for each employer’s PERM application may vary from the average depending on material facts and individual circumstances of the case. OFLC is reporting the average processing time for all PERM applications for the most recent month.


H-2A Processing Times (updated as of close of business 4/11/2026)

I. Issuance of Initial Notices of Acceptance (NOA) or Deficiency (NOD)
Case Receipt WeekTotal Cases Submitted1Total Cases Issued First NOA or NODPercent Receipt Week Issued NOA or NOD
MOST RECENT WEEK COMPLETED
Mar 29 - Apr 4270270100%
CURRENT PROCESSING STATUS
Apr 5 - 1125217067.5%
II. Average Case Processing Times (measured in calendar days)
Processing ActivityTotal CasesCurrent Status
Average Number of Days to Process Complete2 Cases (cumulative over the last 2 weeks)55719 Calendar Days
Average Number of Days to Process Incomplete Cases (cumulative over the last 2 weeks)25235 Calendar Days

[1] Withdrawn and rejected applications are excluded from the total, which may cause these numbers to fluctuate.                          
[2] A complete H-2A application is defined as one containing all the documentation (e.g., housing inspection report, workers' compensation information, recruitment report) necessary for the OFLC Certifying Officer to issue a final determination 30 days before the start date of need.


H-2B Processing Times (updated as of close of business 4/14/2026)

Applications Received for Requested Date of Need from October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026
 STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3STEP 4
Filing WindowTotal Cases Submitted& Positions RequestedTotal Cases Issued NOA or NODPercent Issued a First NOA or NODTotal Cases Pending - Post NOA or NOD Issued4Total Cases Issued Final Decision & Positions Certified
Jul 2025

2,662

(52,780 Workers)

2,662100%--

2,662

(45,807 Workers)

Aug 2025

475

(9,298 Workers)

475100%--

475

(7,339 Workers)

Sep 2025

293

(6,147 Workers)

293100%--

293

(5,212 Workers)

Oct 2025

73

(3,093 Workers)

73100%--

73

(3,093 Workers)

Nov 2025

1,069

(26,242 Workers)

1,069100%--

1,069

(25,803 Workers)

Dec 2025

1,706

(30,222 Workers)

1,706100%

1

(45 Workers)

1,705

(29,446 Workers)

Jan 2026

49

(1,263 Workers)

2449.0%--

24

(102 Workers)

Feb 2026

5

(123 Workers)

--------
Mar 2026

2

(23 Workers)

--------
Total Cases Issued Final Decision and Positions Certified (for FY 2026 First Half Visa Cap)

6,301

(116,899 Workers)

Applications Received for Requested Date of Need from April 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026
 STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3STEP 4
Filing WindowTotal Cases Submitted& Positions RequestedTotal Cases Issued NOA or NODPercent Issued a First NOA or NODTotal Cases Pending - Post NOA or NOD Issued4Total Cases Issued Final Decision & Positions Certified
Jan 1-3 Group A

2,166

(34,203 Workers)

2,166100%

11

(547 Workers)

2,155

(32,168 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group B

1,150

(17,699 Workers)

1,150100%

11

(373 Workers)

1,139

(16,163 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group C

1,012

(16,377 Workers)

1,012100%

24

(550 Workers)

988

(14,507 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group D

1,032

(16,321 Workers)

1,032100%

50

(639 Workers)

982

(14,804 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group E

981

(14,525 Workers)

981100.0%

256

(4,055 Workers)

725

(9,574 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group F

945

(15,143 Workers)

945100%

912

(14,660 Workers)

33

(422 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group G

884

(14,221 Workers)

884100%

884

(14,221 Workers)

--
Jan 1-3 Group H

362

(5,415 Workers)

13236.5%

132

(1,927 Workers)

--
1/1-1/35

4

(22 Workers)

--------
1/4-1/10

64

(924 Workers)

--------
1/11-1/17

72

(706 Workers)

--------
1/18-1/24

41

(827 Workers)

--------
1/25-1/31

154

(1,374 Workers)

--------
2/1-2/7

882

(12,835 Workers)

--------
2/8-2/14

611

(6,916 Workers)

--------
2/15-2/21

363

(5,735 Workers)

--------
2/22-2/28

201

(3,830 Total Workers)

--------
3/1-3/7

125

(2,098 Total Workers)

--------
3/8-3/14

53

(562 Workers)

--------
3/15-3/21

71

(1,408 Workers) 

--------
3/22-3/28

38

(603 Workers)

--------
3/29-4/4

46

(624 Workers)

--------
4/5-4/11

25

(401 Workers)

--------
Total Cases Issued Final Decision and Positions Certified (for FY 2026 Second Half Visa Cap)

6,022

(87,638 Workers)

[3] Withdrawn and rejected applications are excluded from the total, which may cause these numbers to fluctuate.                          
[4] Total number of pending applications that received a NOA and are actively recruiting for U.S. workers or responding to a NOD. 

[5] Cases submitted during the peak filing window for dates of need after April 1, 2026.                            


CW-1 Processing Times (updated as of close of business 4/11/2026)
 STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3STEP 4
Month of ReceiptTotal Cases Submitted& Positions RequestedTotal Cases Issued NOA or NODPercent Issued a First NOA or NODTotal Cases Pending - Post NOA or NOD Issued7Total Cases Issued Final Decision & Positions Certified
October

1

(5 Workers)

1100%--

1

(5 Workers)

November

158

(739 Workers)

158100%--

158

(572 Workers)

December

119

(438 Workers)

119100%--

119

(339 Workers)

January

139

(659 Workers)

139100%

1

(10 Workers)

138

(514 Workers)

February

101

(420 Workers)

101100%

30

(113 Workers)

71

(256 Workers)

March

118

(497 Workers)

11799.2%

111

(468 Workers)

6

(5 Workers)

April

292

(1,073 Workers)

299.9%

29

(116 Workers)

--
Types of Applications
 STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3STEP 4
Application TypeTotal Cases Submitted6 & Positions RequestedTotal Cases Issued NOA or NODPercent Issued a First NOA or NODTotal Cases Pending - Post NOA or NOD Issued7Total Cases Issued Final Decision & Positions Certified
New CW-1 Visas8

384

(1,829 Workers)

35492.2%

87

(437 Workers)

267

(984 Workers)

Renewal of CW-1 Visas9

544

(2,002 Workers)

31057.0%

84

(270 Workers)

226

(707 Workers)

TOTALS

928

(3,831 Workers)

66471.6%

171

(707 Workers)

493

(1,691 Workers)

[6] Withdrawn and rejected applications are excluded from the total, which may cause these numbers to fluctuate.                          
[7] Total number of pending applications that either received a NOA and actively recruiting for U.S. workers or responding to a NOD.                          
[8] Indicates employer is requesting to hire a foreign worker who is not already performing work in the CNMI in CW-1 visa status.                          
[9] Indicates employer is requesting to extend the employment of a foreign worker in CW-1 visa status.