If you are currently in the U.S. on a temporary visa (like an H-1B) and your employer has agreed to sponsor you for a Green Card, you have likely heard of PERM. It is the first (and often the longest) step in the employment-based Green Card process.
Understanding the timeline is critical for your own life planning, visa renewals, and peace of mind. Here is the latest update on processing times as of December 2025, along with a breakdown of what happens during each stage.
What is PERM?
PERM stands for "Program Electronic Review Management." It is the first step when filing a Green Card or an employment-based immigrant visa for a foreign national employee. During this process, the employer:
- Files a Prevailing Wage Request to the Department of Labor (DOL) via its FLAG website. The DOL uses this request to determine and issue the employer a prevailing wage determination (PWD). The PWD dictates the wage for the position based on the worksite location and the experience level required for the job.
- Initiates Recruitment to ensure no willing and qualified U.S. domestic worker applies for the job. Mandatory recruitment activities include:
- An advertisement with the state workforce agency for 30 days.
- An advertisement in a major regional newspaper on two different Sundays.
- A job notice at the worksite for ten (10) consecutive days.
- Any three additional recruitment activities, such as participating in a job fair, placing TV or radio ads, or on-campus recruiting.
- Files ETA Form 9089 after the 30-day mandatory period has passed, provided no qualified U.S. domestic worker was found for the job. This form is filed online via the DOL’s website.
Why is it taking so long?
The "end-to-end" timeline for a standard PERM case (without an audit) is currently averaging 22 to 26 months.
These delays are primarily due to a backlog at the Department of Labor. The volume of applications has increased significantly over the last few years, and the DOL processes cases in the order they are received ("First In, First Out").
PERM Processing Time in 2025
The PERM process is broken down into three distinct phases. Here is how long each phase is currently taking.
STEP 1: Prevailing Wage Determination
Note: Some cases may require additional review by DOL’s expert analysts after the prevailing wage is determined. This step can take over 12 months, with the analysts currently reviewing cases from January 2024.
STEP 2: Recruitment ("The Quiet Period")
Once the PWD is approved, your employer must place ads for your job to see if any qualified U.S. workers apply.
- Duration: This stage is strictly regulated. It takes a minimum of 60 days (30 days for the ads to run + a 30-day "cooling off" period).
- What this means for you: This is often called the "Quiet Period." You typically cannot be involved in the recruitment process, and your employer cannot give you specific updates on who applied.
STEP 3: ETA Form 9089 Processing
- If no qualified U.S. workers are found during recruitment, your employer files the ETA Form 9089. This is the "priority date" that secures your place in the Green Card line.
- Current Status: As of December 2025, the DOL is taking an average of 16 to 17 months to review these applications.
- Possible Outcomes of a PERM Filing
- PERM Approval
- PERM Denial
- PERM Audit
As of Dec 01, 2025
- Analyst Review (Standard) -- Applications filed in July 2024 are now under review.
- Audit Review,"If your case is selected for an audit, it adds another 6–12 months to the timeline."
Pending PERM Applications by Receipt Month:
The table below outlines the number of PERM applications pending as of Sep 1, 2025, categorized by their receipt month: flag.dol.gov
Employers and applicants should anticipate longer processing times due to the current backlog. It is advisable to plan accordingly and consider these timelines when preparing and submitting PERM applications.
What Comes Next? (Visa Bulletin Update)
Once your PERM is approved, your employer files the I-140 Petition. However, to move to the final step (filing for the Green Card/I-485), your "Priority Date" must be current in the State Department's Visa Bulletin.
Here are the "Dates for Filing" from the December 2025 Visa Bulletin. If your PERM was filed before the date listed below for your category and country, you may be eligible to move forward soon.
- EB-2 (Rest of World): July 15, 2024
- EB-2 (India): December 1, 2013
- EB-2 (China): December 1, 2021
- EB-3 (Rest of World): July 1, 2023
- EB-3 (India): August 15, 2014
How to check PERM Status?
- Check the DOL’s PERM Processing time - you can use this link to check the processing time for the applications under review each month.
- Check Filing Date - if your attorney has filed Form 9089 online, you can check the status using the DOL’s Permanent Case Management System.
Disclaimer: Content in this publication is not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult a qualified immigration attorney.
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