PERM Status Check is the process of tracking a U.S. Department of Labor permanent labor certification application after an employer submits Form ETA-9089. As of the latest update, the Department of Labor’s Foreign Labor Application Gateway, or FLAG, provides the main online case-status tool for PERM applications filed through the current system. The latest published processing data shows that PERM analyst review is working on cases with priority dates around November 2025, while the average processing time for analyst-reviewed cases was 336 calendar days in August 2026.
For workers and employers waiting on a PERM decision, checking the case status can help confirm whether an application remains pending, has moved into another review stage, or has received a final decision.
Where to Check PERM Status
The Department of Labor uses its FLAG system to manage and provide status information for permanent labor certification cases.
Applicants and authorized users can use the FLAG Case Status Search to check a PERM application by entering its case number. The search tool allows multiple case numbers to be entered at the same time, which can be useful for employers, attorneys, and other authorized professionals handling several applications.
The current FLAG system supports PERM applications filed using Form ETA-9089. A case number is generally provided after the application enters the Department of Labor’s processing system.
For cases submitted before the transition to FLAG, the status-check process can differ. The Department of Labor has moved away from its former Permanent Online System, although older pending cases may still require communication with the appropriate Department of Labor office for certain actions or documents.
How to Perform a PERM Status Check
Checking a PERM case is relatively straightforward when you have the correct case number.
Start by locating the PERM case number associated with the ETA-9089 application. The number should be available to the employer or attorney who submitted the application.
Next, use the Department of Labor’s FLAG case-status search and select the PERM program if necessary. Enter the complete case number, including the required formatting and dashes.
The system can then display the current status associated with the case.
It is important to use the complete case number rather than relying on a partial number. A missing character or incorrect format can prevent the system from finding the application.
The public status tool is primarily useful for seeing where a case stands. It does not necessarily provide every detail contained in the employer’s PERM file.
What the PERM Status Means
A PERM application can move through several stages before the Department of Labor reaches a final determination.
A case in Analyst Review is being evaluated by the Department of Labor under the standard PERM adjudication process. This is one of the main stages applicants encounter while waiting for a decision.
Some cases enter Audit Review. An audit can require additional documentation or examination of recruitment and other aspects of the application. Audit cases generally follow a different processing path from applications that remain in standard analyst review.
A case can also move into a Reconsideration process if the employer seeks further review after an unfavorable determination. Additional procedural stages can apply when a case proceeds through the appeals process.
The exact wording displayed for an individual application is more important than assumptions based solely on the filing date. Case processing can vary because of audits, requests for additional information, reconsideration, workload, and other factors.
Latest PERM Processing Times
The latest Department of Labor processing information available as of September 14, 2026 is based on data through August 31, 2026.
For standard PERM applications in Analyst Review, the Department of Labor lists November 2025 as the priority date being processed.
For applications in Audit Review, the listed processing point is December 2025.
For Reconsideration Requests to the Certifying Officer, the Department of Labor lists April 2026.
The Department also reported an average of 336 calendar days to process PERM determinations during August 2026 for the analyst-review category.
These figures should not be treated as an exact prediction for an individual case. The Department of Labor specifically notes that actual processing times can vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each application.
That distinction matters because two PERM applications filed around the same time may not receive decisions on the same day. An audit, additional review, or other case-specific issue can change the timeline.
Why Your PERM Case May Still Be Pending
PERM processing can take many months. A case remaining pending does not automatically mean that something is wrong.
The Department of Labor processes applications according to its workload and review procedures. Current processing data indicates that a significant number of PERM cases remain in the pipeline.
For example, the latest published prevailing-wage data also shows substantial PERM-related workload in 2026, including thousands of requests in several recent receipt months. This reflects the broader volume moving through the employment-certification system.
A case may also require more time if it is selected for an audit or enters another review stage.
Because processing times can change, applicants should avoid assuming that a specific filing month guarantees a decision by a particular date.
When to Contact the Department of Labor
The Department of Labor provides guidance for cases that appear to be significantly older than the currently published processing date.
If a PERM application was filed more than three months before the month currently being processed, the employer or authorized representative may contact the OFLC PERM Helpdesk to request a status update.
This can be particularly useful when a case appears to have remained pending well beyond the Department’s current processing window.
Before contacting the Department, it is sensible to perform another PERM status check and confirm the original filing information. The employer or immigration attorney should also review any correspondence that may have been sent regarding the application.
PERM Status Check vs. USCIS Case Status
A PERM application and a USCIS immigration petition are different parts of the employment-based green card process.
The Department of Labor handles the PERM labor certification stage. USCIS generally becomes involved later when the employer files the appropriate immigrant petition, such as Form I-140.
That means a PERM case number should not be entered into the regular USCIS Case Status Online system.
USCIS uses its own receipt numbers for applications and petitions. A USCIS receipt number is generally a 13-character identifier that begins with three letters followed by numbers.
This distinction can prevent confusion for workers who are tracking both their PERM certification and a later immigration filing.
If the PERM application has not yet been certified, a worker generally needs to monitor the DOL stage rather than expecting the case to appear in the USCIS case-status system.
What Happens After PERM Approval
A successful PERM decision is an important step, but it is not the same as receiving a green card.
After the Department of Labor certifies the labor certification, the employer can generally use the approved certification as part of the next stage of the employment-based immigration process.
For cases requiring an I-140 petition, the employer must pay attention to the labor certification’s validity period. Labor certifications approved on or after July 16, 2007, generally must be filed with the related Form I-140 within 180 days of certification.
This makes timely action important after a PERM approval.
The next stages can also depend on visa availability, the worker’s employment-based category, country of chargeability, and whether the worker will pursue adjustment of status or consular processing.
Therefore, a PERM approval should be viewed as a major milestone rather than the final immigration decision.
What to Do If Your PERM Case Is Denied
A denial does not necessarily end every possibility of further review.
The appropriate response depends on the reason for the Department of Labor’s decision and the procedural status of the case. An employer and immigration attorney may review whether reconsideration or another available procedure is appropriate.
The case history and official determination should be examined before deciding what to do next.
Employers should also avoid treating a generic processing-time estimate as evidence that a case will be denied or approved. Processing time alone does not determine the outcome.
How Often Should You Check PERM Status?
There is usually little benefit in checking a pending PERM case repeatedly throughout the same day.
The FLAG system provides the official case-status information, but the Department of Labor’s processing queue changes over time rather than minute by minute.
A practical approach is to check periodically, especially when the case approaches or passes the Department’s published processing window.
Employers and workers should also continue watching for official communications. A case-status page should not replace review of notices, emails, or other correspondence connected to the application.
Important PERM Updates for September 2026
The most important current development is that the Department of Labor continues to use FLAG as the primary platform for current PERM case-status searches.
The latest processing information available in September 2026 shows analyst review at November 2025 and audit review at December 2025. The reported average analyst-review processing time was 336 calendar days for August.
The Department updates its processing-time information on a monthly schedule. Therefore, the next published update can change the months being processed and may provide a clearer picture of whether the backlog is moving faster or slower.
Applicants should rely on the newest official processing information rather than older estimates found on immigration websites, forums, or social media.
The Bottom Line on PERM Status Check
A PERM Status Check is the quickest way to determine where a Department of Labor labor certification application currently stands when a valid case number is available. The FLAG system provides the current public case-status search for PERM applications, while older cases may follow a different process.
As of the latest available update, PERM processing remains a lengthy stage of the employment-based immigration process. Analyst review is currently reaching cases from November 2025, and the average analyst-review determination time reported for August 2026 was 336 calendar days.
Because individual cases can move differently, applicants should use their actual case status and the Department of Labor’s latest processing information rather than relying on a fixed approval date.
Have you recently checked your PERM case status? Share your experience or stay updated as the Department of Labor releases new processing information.