Current PERM Processing Times (September 8, 2014)

Our office handles a substantial number of ETA Form 9089 – Permanent Labor Certification (“PERM”) applications and we are closely monitoring the current PERM processing times not only for the benefit of our clients but also to be able to predict longer-term trends in PERM processing.

The Department of Labor (“DOL”) has provided an update on the current PERM filing and processing statistics in addition to the processing dates as of September 8, 2014.

Current PERM Processing Times

This month does not bring much change in the PERM processing times – regular PERM cases still take around four to five months.     The processing time of PERM applications in audit remains unchanged compared to our prior report from a month ago.

The processing times, as reported by DOL, are as follows:

• Regular processing: April 2014.  DOL is processing PERM applications with priority dates of April 2014.  There is no change in the expected duration of a PERM case compared to the August 2014 report.    Accordingly, regular PERM processing times should be around four to five months.   Our office has experienced PERM approvals consistent with this timeline and we can confirm it.    We hope that this continues the trend of (slight) improvement in the processing time for PERM cases.
• Audited applications: March 2013.  DOL is processing PERM audits which have a priority date (date of filing of the PERM application) of March 2013.  This is a delay of about a month compared to last month’s report.    Accordingly, audited PERM applications are processed approximately 18-19 months after the initial PERM was filed and the priority date established.
• Appealed applications (requests for reconsideration to the Certifying Officer): September 2014.  DOL is processing PERM appeals (requests for reconsideration to the certifying officer) which were appealed in September 2014.  There is no change in this category, compared to our last report.    Accordingly, PERM requests for reconsideration are processed within approximately a month after PERM appeal (motion for reconsideration to the Certifying Officer) is filed.
• “Government error” appealed applications. DOL has indicated that PERM appeals in this category are reviewed on a 30-45 day timeline.   However, after filing an appeal, DOL does not make an indication whether a PERM appeal is accepted to be processed under the  “government error” queue or under the regular appeal queue.   As a result, DOL has indicated that the only way to know whether a PERM appeal has been accepted for processing under the “government error” queue is to wait for 45 days for response.  If the PERM appeal is reviewed within this time, this would be an indication that a PERM appeal has been accepted (and reviewed) under the “government error” queue.  If no response is received 45 days after filing of a PERM appeal, then this should be an indication that the PERM is pending under the regular appeals queue.

Conclusion

The September 2014 PERM processing times report shows that the PERM processing times show no change in the processing times compared to a month ago with some delays in the processing times for audited PERM applications.    Over the past several months, we have observed continuing decrease (improvement) in the regular PERM processing times and on behalf of our clients, we are hopeful that this improvement trend would continue.

Our office has developed a great practice handling PERM filings and/or audit/appeal responses so please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help you.  Also, we will continue monitoring the PERM processing times and analyze any updates.  Please visit us again or subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to ensure that you obtain this and related immigration-related news and announcements.