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 02/09/2026)

Processing QueueOEWS Receipt DateiNon-OEWS Receipt Datei
CW-1January 2026--
H-1BNovember 2025November 2025
H-2BJanuary 2026--
PERMNovember 2025October 2025
Redeterminations

H-1B: October 2025

PERM: October 2025

Center Director Reviews

CW-1: N/A

H-1B: N/A

H-2B: August 2025

PERM: August 2025

CW-1
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
December 20253
January 2026162

H-1B
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
July 20251
August 20251
September 20250
October 20250
November 2025121
December 2025169
January 2026218

H-2B
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
December 2025518
January 2026367

PERM
Receipt MonthiiRemaining Requestsii
June 20252
July 202531
August 202569
September 2025379
October 202520
November 20258447
December 202514019 
January 202616636

[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[ii] Withdrawn and voided requests are excluded from the total, which may cause the numbers for previous months to fluctuate.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 02/09/2026)
Processing QueuePriority Date
Analyst ReviewSeptember 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 ReviewJanuary 2026512
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 2/28/2026)

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
Feb 15 - 21522522100%
CURRENT PROCESSING STATUS
Feb 22 - 2849930861.7%
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)1,00820 Calendar Days
Average Number of Days to Process Incomplete Cases (cumulative over the last 2 weeks)88638 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 3/3/2026)

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

1,070

(26,243 Workers)

1,070100%

1

(6 Workers)

1,069

(25,798 Workers)

Dec 2025

1,710

(30,342 Workers)

1,710100%

8

(263 Workers)

1,702

(29,410 Workers)

Jan 2026

49

(1,208 Workers)

2346.9%

2

(7 Workers)

21

(97 Workers)

Feb 2026

5

(123 Workers)

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

6,295

(116,756 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

2,167

(34,236 Workers)

2,167100%

125

(2,184 Workers)

2,042

(30,465 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group B

1,155

(17,718 Workers)

1,155100%

574

(8,435 Workers)

581

(8,589 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group C

1,057

(17,688 Workers)

1,057100%

1,054

(17,361 Workers)

3

(0 Workers)

Jan 1-3 Group D

1,119

(17,863 Workers)

16314.6%

163

(2,211 Workers)

--
Jan 1-3 Group E

1,141

(17,477 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group F

1,085

(17,848 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group G

1,055

(17,798 Workers)

--------
Jan 1-3 Group H

412

(6,401 Workers)

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

4

(22 Workers)

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

71

(1,086 Workers)

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

74

(711 Workers)

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

44

(871 Workers)

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

164

(1,477 Workers)

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

992

(14,637 Workers)

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

679

(8,337 Workers)

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

396

(6,320 Workers)

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

208

(3,898 Workers)

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

2,626

(39,054 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 2/28/2026)
 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
September

125

(469 Workers)

125100%

1

(1 Workers)

124

(276 Workers)

October

1

(5 Workers)

1100%--

1

(5 Workers)

November

158

(739 Workers)

158100%--

158

(572 Workers)

December

119

(438 Workers)

119100%

4

(7 Workers)

115

(336 Workers)

January

146

(705 Workers)

146100%

106

(505 Workers)

40

(136 Workers)

February

110

(458 Workers)

8678.2%

86

(370 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

295

(1,381 Workers)

27492.9%

101

(493 Workers)

173

(645 Workers)

Renewal of CW-1 Visas9

247

(981 Workers)

23695.5%

95

(389 Workers)

141

(404 Workers)

TOTALS

542

(2,362 Workers)

51094.1%

196

(882 Workers)

314

(1,049 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.