Processing Times | Flag.dol.gov
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[ii] Withdrawn and voided requests are excluded from the total, which may cause the numbers for previous months to fluctuate.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 04/23/2026)
Processing QueuePriority Date
Analyst ReviewJanuary 2025
Audit ReviewDecember 2025
Reconsideration Request to the CONovember 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 5/9/2026)

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
Apr 26 - May 2226226100%
CURRENT PROCESSING STATUS
May 3 - 923316972.5%
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)33918 Calendar Days
Average Number of Days to Process Incomplete Cases (cumulative over the last 2 weeks)20729 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 5/9/2026)

Applications Received for Requested Date of Need from October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026
 STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3STEP 4
Filing WindowTotal Cases Submitted3 & 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

1,068

(26,218 Workers)

1,068100%--

1,069

(25,803 Workers)

Dec 2025

1,698

(30,168 Workers)

1,698100%

1

(45 Workers)

1,697

(29,393 Workers)

Jan 2026

42

(1,162 Workers)

42100%

12

(191 Workers)

30

(102 Workers)

Feb 2026

4

(122 Workers)

4100%

4

(122 Workers)

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

6,299

(116,725 Workers)

Applications Received for Requested Date of Need from April 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026
 STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3STEP 4
Filing WindowTotal Cases Submitted3 & 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%

5

(83 Workers)

2,161

(32,168 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group B

1,150

(17,699 Workers)

1,150100%

3

(60 Workers)

1,147

(16,182 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group C

1,012

(16,377 Workers)

1,012100%

2

(53 Workers)

1,010

(14,755 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group D

1,031

(16,317 Workers)

1,031100%

5

(23 Workers)

1,026

(15,318 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group E

972

(14,402 Workers)

972100.0%

21

(403 Workers)

951

(12,775 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group F

894

(14,483 Workers)

894100%

46

(524 Workers)

848

(13,212 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group G

727

(11,791 Workers)

727100%

119

(1,895 Workers)

608

(9,138 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group H

268

(4,263 Workers)

268100%

78

(1,060 Workers)

190

(3,117 Workers)

Jan 4 - Feb 75

844

(10,809 Workers)

844100%

797

(10,062 Workers)

47

(360 Workers)

Feb 8 - 28

479

(5,664 Workers)

479100%

479

(5,660 Workers)

1

(0 Workers)

Mar 1 - 31

2

(2 Workers)

2100%

2

(2 Workers)

--
Apr 1 - 30

2

(3 Workers)

2100%

2

(3 Workers)

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

7,799

(113,908 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] These filing dates include 4 cases filed between January 1 and January 3 containing a start date after April 1, 2026. 

                    

CW-1 Processing Times (updated as of close of business 5/9/2026)
 STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3STEP 4
Month of ReceiptTotal 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
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

99

(418 Workers)

99100%

5

(21 Workers)

94

(315 Workers)

March

115

(493 Workers)

115100%

78

(311 Workers)

37

(126 Workers)

April

368

(1,335 Workers)

36799.7%

363

(1,306 Workers)

4

(13 Workers)

May

126

(370 Workers)

8265.1%

82

(223 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

400

(1,908 Workers)

39799.3%

93

(435 Workers)

304

(1,130 Workers)

Renewal of CW-1 Visas9

725

(2,549 Workers)

68394.2%

436

(1,436 Workers)

247

(754 Workers)

TOTALS

1,125

(4,457 Workers)

1,08096.0%

529

(1,871 Workers)

551

(1,884 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.