DOL Update: PERM & PWD Processing Times April 2026 – What EB-3 Applicants Need to Know

The Department of Labor (DOL) continues to process Prevailing Wage Determinations (PWD) and PERM labor certification applications, with processing times remaining a key concern for EB-3 employment-based immigration applicants. Immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown has published its April 2026 update tracking the latest DOL timelines. Prevailing Wage Determinations are a mandatory first step in the PERM labor certification process, required before employers can file on behalf of EB-3 sponsored workers. Delays at this stage can significantly extend overall green card timelines, making monthly monitoring essential for both employers and foreign nationals in the pipeline. PERM labor certification, administered by the DOL's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC), represents one of the most time-sensitive stages of the EB-3 process. Any increase in processing times can cascade through subsequent USCIS filing stages, particularly for nationals from backlogged countries such as India and China. Employers sponsoring EB-3 workers should use these updated processing benchmarks to plan recruitment and filing strategies accordingly. Early filing of PWD requests remains advisable given current workloads at the OFLC. Applicants and employers are encouraged to consult with qualified immigration counsel and monitor the DOL's OFLC Performance Data portal for the most current official processing time figures.