How to Check if Your PERM Application Has Been Approved

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Key Takeaways

• Employers or attorneys must use the FLAG system to check PERM application status; applicants cannot access it directly.
• As of February 2025, standard PERM processing takes 14-16 months; current Analyst Reviews handle September 2023 applications.
• Applications approved as “PERM Certified” must file Form I-140 within 180 days to avoid expiration.

Verifying whether your Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) application has been approved is a key step in the process of securing an employment-based green card. Since the PERM is handled by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), it is essential to understand the tools and processes involved. Here is an in-depth guide that explains how to check your PERM’s status using official systems, timelines, and other practical steps.

Using the FLAG System to Check PERM Status

How to Check if Your PERM Application Has Been Approved

The Department of Labor provides the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system as the designated platform for tracking the processing of PERM applications. However, the access to this system is limited to employers and their authorized attorneys. This means that as an individual applicant, you cannot directly check your PERM application status. Instead, you will need to work through your employer or their legal team to receive updates.

To use the FLAG system, your employer or their attorney can take the following steps:
1. Visit the official FLAG website at https://flag.dol.gov/.
2. Navigate to the “Processing Times” section.
3. Review the PERM timeline details to understand the current processing stages.

Current Processing Times and Your Priority Date

Understanding the current processing times is vital for estimating when your application may be adjudicated. As of February 2025, the DOL has provided the following approximate timelines for PERM processing:
– Analyst Review: Applications submitted in September 2023 are currently under review (468 days).
– Audit Review: Applications selected for review in December 2022 are being processed (496 days).
– Reconsideration Requests: Cases submitted in July 2024 are being evaluated.

These timelines are averages, meaning some cases might take longer or shorter depending on their complexity. To compare where your application stands, it is important to locate your priority date—the date your PERM application was officially received by the DOL. The DOL includes this date in the confirmation email sent to your employer or attorney upon application submission. For example, if the confirmation email assigned your case on 09/28/2020, this date serves as your priority date.

Your priority date should be compared to the processing dates listed on the FLAG system. If your priority date is earlier than the processing month, it is a sign that your case may be close to being adjudicated.

PERM Status Meanings

When checking your application status (through your employer or attorney), you might encounter some of the following terms:
– PERM Certified: The application has been approved and the certification is valid for 180 days.
– PERM Certified Expired: The certification was approved but was not used within six months to file a Form I-140 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

It is critical to act quickly once PERM certification is issued to meet the filing deadlines.

Contacting the OFLC Helpdesk

If your priority date was filed more than three months earlier than the current processing month listed by the FLAG system, but you have not received any updates, your employer or attorney can contact the DOL’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC). They can email the helpdesk at [email protected] for status inquiries.

Handling Audits

In some cases, PERM applications are selected for audit, which adds a layer of scrutiny and substantially lengthens the processing time. Currently, audited applications take about 16 months and 11 days for review. The DOL is processing audit cases filed around March 2022, highlighting the significant delay caused by audits. If your PERM is selected for audit, it is vital to remain patient as your employer works through the additional requirements.

Alternative Ways to Track Your PERM Status

Besides the FLAG system, there are other approaches employers and immigration attorneys can use to gain insights into the processing status:
1. DOL Disclosure Data: The DOL releases quarterly data about approved PERM cases, which can provide insights into trends.
2. Third-party tools: Websites like AM22Tech and Trackitt allow users to share and track case updates, offering anecdotal insights on processing patterns.
3. Notification Systems: Certain platforms provide email or text updates for applications. However, these services often require permission from the applicant’s employer or attorney to use case details.

None of these alternatives is as official or as precise as the FLAG system, but they can be helpful in gathering broader context.

Impact of Changes in the PERM Process

In June 2023, a new Form ETA 9089 was introduced for submission, and it is now processed through the FLAG system. With this update, the DOL transitioned to organizing case reviews by “processing month” rather than strictly following a first-in, first-out model. This shift can cause processing times to vary slightly even for cases filed in the same month.

Additionally, all PERM applications are now handled under consolidated centers, another factor that impacts the efficiency of processing timelines. VisaVerge.com reports that these changes aim to streamline the review process, but they also emphasize the importance of transparency between employees and their employers during this waiting period.

What Applicants Can Do

Although you cannot personally access detailed updates from the FLAG system, there are proactive steps you can take to stay informed:
1. Keep an open line of communication with your employer or their legal representative.
2. Share your case-specific details, such as your priority date and case number, to make it easier for them to monitor updates.
3. Request periodic status checks using the FLAG system.
4. Prepare for longer processing periods, especially if audits or special reviews are involved.

Conclusion

Verifying whether your PERM application has been approved requires close collaboration with your employer or attorney. Make use of the DOL’s FLAG system as the most reliable resource, while being aware of the delays currently affecting processing timelines. With standard processing now averaging about 14 months and audited cases taking close to 16 months, planning ahead is crucial. Work closely with your employer to obtain updates and prepare for the next steps in the green card process once PERM approval is confirmed.

For more information, you can visit the official FLAG system at https://flag.dol.gov/.

Learn Today

PERM (Permanent Labor Certification) → A U.S. Department of Labor process certifying that hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively impact U.S. workers.
FLAG System (Foreign Labor Application Gateway) → An online DOL platform for tracking and managing labor certification cases, accessible only by employers and attorneys.
Priority Date → The official date when a PERM application is received by the DOL, determining processing order for cases.
Audit Review → A detailed scrutiny of selected PERM applications by the DOL, significantly extending processing times.
ETA 9089 → The official form required to file a PERM application, now processed through the FLAG system since June 2023.

This Article in a Nutshell

Navigating PERM approval? The DOL’s FLAG system is key, though only accessible via your employer or attorney. Find your priority date, compare it to processing timelines, and stay proactive with updates. Current processing averages 14-16 months, so patience and preparation are essential. Communication with your employer ensures a smoother journey!
— By VisaVerge.com