16 PERM Labor Certification Statistics Every Employer Should Know in 2026

Essential data from U.S. Department of Labor performance reports, processing systems, and labor force analytics

Current PERM Processing Time Statistics for 2026

1. Current average processing time stands at 472 calendar days as of August 2025. The Department of Labor's FLAG system reports 472-day processing times for PERM applications, representing over 15 months from filing to decision. This extended timeline requires employers to maintain continuous work authorization for foreign employees throughout the process. Companies using Alma's PERM labor certification service benefit from proactive case tracking and automated compliance alerts that prevent authorization gaps during these lengthy processing periods.

2. 183,776 PERM applications remained pending as of September 30, 2024. The backlog reached 183,776 pending cases by the end of fiscal year 2024, creating significant uncertainty for both employers and foreign professionals. This massive queue means applications filed today join nearly 200,000 cases awaiting adjudication. Alma's platform provides transparency through real-time dashboards and status updates, ensuring stakeholders always know where cases stand despite DOL backlogs.

3. Pending applications increased to 192,529 by December 31, 2024. Just three months later, the backlog grew to 192,529 pending applications, demonstrating continued growth in processing delays. This 4.8% quarterly increase signals that processing times may extend further before improving. Forward-thinking employers work with immigration counsel who provide comprehensive case management throughout these extended timelines.

4. In 2024, 99.3% of active applications are under analyst review rather than audit. The vast majority of PERM cases undergo standard analyst review. This high percentage of non-audited cases means most applications proceed through standard processing channels. However, the small fraction selected for audit face additional delays and documentation requirements, making thorough initial preparation critical.

PERM Labor Certification Approval and Denial Rates

5. 102,036 PERM applications received certification in fiscal year 2024. Despite processing challenges, the Department of Labor approved 102,036 applications during FY 2024, enabling over 100,000 foreign professionals to advance toward permanent residence. This substantial approval volume demonstrates the PERM program's continued effectiveness as a pathway to employment-based green cards. Alma's $8,000 PERM service includes comprehensive attorney support and platform access to help employers join these successful applicants.

6. Only 5,031 applications were denied in FY 2024, representing a 4.7% denial rate. With 4.7% denial rate, properly prepared PERM cases have over 95% approval probability. This exceptional success rate reflects the program's predictability when employers meet recruitment and documentation requirements. The low denial rate provides confidence that investments in the PERM process yield results when handled by experienced immigration attorneys.

7. 7,483 applications were withdrawn by employers in FY 2024. Beyond approvals and denials, 7,483 cases were withdrawn before completion, often due to changed business circumstances or employee departures. This withdrawal rate underscores the importance of stable job offers and continued business needs throughout the multi-year process. Employers should evaluate business stability before initiating PERM cases to avoid wasted resources on withdrawn applications.

Industry and Occupation Distribution Statistics

8. Software Developers represented 21,224 certifications, accounting for 20.8% of all approvals. Technology professionals dominate PERM approvals, with software developers alone comprising 20.8% of all certified positions in FY 2024. This concentration reflects the tech industry's acute need for specialized talent unavailable in the domestic labor market. STEM professionals pursuing employment-based green cards benefit from this established demand pattern.

9. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services industry secured 32,099 certifications representing 31.5% of the total. The professional services sector led all industries with nearly one-third of all approvals, demonstrating sustained demand for knowledge workers across consulting, engineering, and technology firms. This industry concentration makes PERM certification particularly relevant for companies in professional services sectors seeking to retain key foreign talent.

10. Data Scientists ranked among the top 10 occupations with 2,135 certifications. The emerging field of data science generated 2,135 PERM approvals in FY 2024, reflecting growing demand for analytics and machine learning expertise. This occupation's prominence in PERM statistics validates the critical shortage of qualified data professionals in the U.S. labor market.

11. The manufacturing industry received 16,612 certifications, representing 16.3% of total approvals. Beyond tech and professional services, traditional manufacturing secured 16.3% of certifications, demonstrating foreign talent needs across diverse economic sectors. This substantial share shows PERM's relevance extends beyond Silicon Valley to America's industrial base.

Geographic Distribution and Regional Trends

12. California accounted for 19,452 PERM certifications, representing 19.1% of the national total. The Golden State led all states with nearly one-fifth of approvals, reflecting its concentration of technology companies and professional services firms. California employers filing PERM applications benefit from established precedents and experienced immigration attorneys familiar with regional DOL processing patterns.

13. Texas ranked second with 11,330 certifications, comprising 11.1% of total approvals. The Lone Star State secured 11.1% of national approvals, driven by Austin's tech boom and Houston's energy and healthcare sectors. Together, California and Texas represent over 30% of all PERM activity, highlighting geographic concentration in major economic centers.

Application Volume Trends and Market Dynamics

14. 151,773 total applications were received in FY 2024, down 4.5% from FY 2023. PERM filing volumes declined to 151,773 applications in fiscal year 2024, potentially reflecting economic uncertainty or employer concerns about processing delays. This decrease may reduce competition for adjudication resources, though backlogs continue growing. The decline contrasts with previous growth trends and warrants monitoring for future trajectory.

15. 34,186 applications were filed in FY 2025 Q1, representing a 17.6% decrease from FY 2024. The downward trend continued into fiscal 2025, with first quarter filings showing a 17.6% decrease compared to the same period in FY 2024. This sharp quarterly decline may signal employers postponing PERM filings due to processing time concerns or broader immigration policy uncertainty. Reduced filing volumes could eventually alleviate backlogs if maintained over multiple quarters.

Workforce Context and Immigration Impact

16. Foreign-born workers represent 19.2% of the U.S. civilian labor force as of 2024. The broader context shows 19.2% of workers are foreign-born, up from 18.6% in 2023. This growing percentage demonstrates the U.S. economy's increasing reliance on immigrant talent across all sectors. PERM labor certification serves as a critical mechanism for converting temporary foreign workers into permanent residents who can fully contribute to American economic growth.

Strategic Implications for Employers

The statistics reveal several clear patterns for employers considering PERM labor certification:

Processing timeline planning is critical. With processing times exceeding 15 months and backlogs approaching 200,000 cases, employers must plan multi-year immigration strategies. Alma's business immigration platform provides case tracking dashboards and automated expiration alerts to manage these extended timelines while maintaining compliance.

Success rates justify the investment. The 95%+ approval rate demonstrates that properly prepared applications nearly always succeed. The $8,000 PERM service includes comprehensive attorney support and documentation review to maximize approval probability while streamlining the complex recruitment and filing requirements.

Technology sectors show strongest demand. Software developers and data scientists dominate approval statistics, validating the tech industry's critical talent needs. Companies in professional services and technology can confidently pursue PERM certification knowing their occupations represent proven labor shortages.

Geographic concentration reflects labor demand. California and Texas account for 30% of approvals, reflecting these states' substantial employment needs in PERM-eligible occupations. While PERM adjudication is centralized by OFLC regardless of state, local labor market conditions can affect recruitment outcomes and prevailing wage determinations.

Alternative pathways deserve consideration. For certain highly qualified professionals, EB-2 NIW provides a faster green card route without employer sponsorship or labor certification. This self-petition option eliminates PERM's recruitment requirements and processing delays while still leading to permanent residence.

The subsequent I-140 filing after PERM approval typically takes several months for standard adjudication, though employers can use premium processing (Form I-907) for 15-day adjudication in most categories. Alma's $4,000 I-140 service for PERM-based cases ensures smooth transition to the next stage with the same attorney team maintaining case continuity.