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 01/05/2025)

Processing QueueOEWS Receipt DateiNon-OEWS Receipt Datei
CW-1November 2025--
H-1BAugust 2025June 2025
H-2BDecember 2025December 2025
PERMAugust 2025June 2025
Redeterminations

H-1B: August 2025

PERM: September 2025

Center Director Reviews

CW-1: N/A

H-1B: N/A

H-2B: August 2025

PERM: October 2025

CW-1
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
November 202511
December 2025178

H-1B
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
June 20255
July 20255
August 2025107
September 2025205
October 20252
November 2025252
December 2025173

H-2B
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
November 202530
December 2025518

PERM
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
March 20252
April 20251
May 202521
June 2025252
July 2025822
August 20253,465
September 202514,518
October 2025357
November 202516,835
December 202514,068

[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[ii] Withdrawn and voided requests are excluded from the total, which may cause the numbers for previous months to fluctuate.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 01/05/2025)
Processing QueuePriority Date
Analyst ReviewAugust 2024
Audit ReviewDecember 2024
Reconsideration Request to the COAugust 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 ReviewDecember 2025500
Audit ReviewN/AN/A

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 1/3/2026)

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
Dec 21 - 271,07231930%
CURRENT PROCESSING STATUS
Dec 28 - Jan 31,119383%
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)79427 Calendar Days
Average Number of Days to Process Incomplete Cases (cumulative over the last 2 weeks)31134 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 1/8/2026)

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

(4 Workers)

2,660

(45,804 Workers)

Aug 2025

475

(9,298 Workers)

475100%--

475

(7,339 Workers)

Sep 2025

293

(6,147 Workers)

293100%

6

(69 Workers)

287

(5,145 Workers)

Oct 2025

73

(3,093 Workers)

73100%--

73

(3,093 Workers)

Nov 2025

1,075

(26,321 Workers)

1,075100%

35

(693 Workers)

1,040

(25,215 Workers)

Dec 2025

1,820

(31,771 Workers)

1,81799.8%

1,047

(18,626 Workers)

770

(12,836 Workers)

Jan 2026

40

(1,077 Workers)

2050.0%

20

(147 Workers)

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

5,305

(99,432 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

2,210

(34,947 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group B

1,274

(19,920 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group C

1,171

(19,961 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group D

1,230

(19,872 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group E

1,261

(19,900 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group F

1,222

(19,910 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group G

1,185

(19,845 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group H

476

(7,609 Workers)

--------
1/1-1/35

5

(32 Workers)

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

[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 1/3/2026)
 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
June

401

(1,753 Workers)

401100%

1

(1 Workers)

400

(1,074 Workers)

July

159

(592 Workers)

159100%--

159

(415 Workers)

August

167

(916 Workers)

167100%

2

(7 Workers)

165

(699 Workers)

September

125

(469 Workers)

125100%

6

(23 Workers)

119

(272 Workers)

October

2

(7 Workers)

2100%

1

(2 Workers)

1

(5 Workers)

November

165

(753 Workers)

165100%

88

(389 Workers)

77

(302 Workers)

December

128

(475 Workers)

9977.3%

98

(392 Workers)

1

(0 Workers)

January

12

(26 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

180

(814 Workers)

15887.8%

110

(504 Workers)

48

(210 Workers)

Renewal of CW-1 Visas9

127

(447 Workers)

10885.0%

77

(279 Workers)

31

(97 Workers)

TOTALS

307

(1,261 Workers)

26686.6%

187

(783 Workers)

79

(307 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.