PERM Report: December 2025

The December 2025 PERM labor certification data reflects a robust overall certification environment, with 8,299 of 9,238 total cases certified — yielding an 89.8% certification rate. This strong approval rate signals that employers and their legal representatives have become increasingly adept at navigating DOL requirements, submitting well-documented applications that meet prevailing wage and recruitment standards. However, the average processing time of 487 days — roughly 16 months — remains a significant bottleneck for foreign workers and employers alike, underscoring the chronic backlog that continues to define the PERM system. The occupational breakdown reveals a workforce that is heavily skewed toward technology roles. Software Developers alone account for 1,917 cases (roughly 21% of all filings), with an average offered wage of $143,805, followed by Computer Systems Analysts and Data Scientists. This concentration reflects ongoing employer demand for foreign-born tech talent that the domestic labor market cannot fully satisfy. Notably, the data also includes a meaningful volume of lower-wage occupations — Helpers in Production and Maids/Housekeeping Cleaners — confirming that PERM activity spans both the high-skill and essential worker segments, the latter being particularly relevant for EB-3 'other worker' category applicants. At the state level, California dominates volume with 1,720 filings but posts a below-average certification rate of 88.1%, possibly reflecting higher scrutiny of tech-heavy filings or more complex labor market conditions in that state. Texas, New York, and Georgia each exceed 92% certification rates, suggesting comparatively smoother processing outcomes. Florida stands out with the lowest certification rate among top states at 80.1%, which may warrant additional diligence for applicants and employers filing from that state. Among industries, Finance & Insurance leads on certification rate at 94.0%, followed closely by the Information sector at 93.8%, while Professional Services — the largest industry segment — comes in slightly below average at 90.7%.