PWD
Get the DOL Prevailing Wage Determination
The employer requests a DOL Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) to set the required wage for the PERM green card job.
Learn more about PWD- Time estimate
- ~3.5 months
EMPLOYER GREEN CARD TIMELINE
PERM green card timeline from PWD to I-485, using real DOL data.
Follow the green card process from PWD and PERM filing to Form I-140, visa availability, and I-485 approval. At current processing times, PWD through I-485 approval takes about 23–27 months if your Priority Date is already current; a Visa Bulletin backlog adds more time.
Estimate my timelinePROCESS OVERVIEW
PERM timeline overview
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Recruitment
Complete PERM recruitment
The employer completes PERM recruitment, also known as the labor market test, reviews qualified U.S. applicants, and finishes the required waiting period before filing PERM.
Learn more about PERM recruitment- Time estimate
- Usually about 2–4 months
PERM
File the PERM labor certification
The employer files ETA-9089 for PERM labor certification. The PERM filing date usually becomes your Priority Date, which helps determine when an immigrant visa number is available.
Learn more about PERM review- Time estimate
- Averages about 300 days
I-140
File Form I-140 with USCIS
After PERM approval, the employer files Form I-140 with USCIS to confirm the green card job, employer eligibility, and your ability to retain the PERM Priority Date.
Learn more about Form I-140- Time estimate
- • Regular processing: about 3 months • Premium Processing: about 15 business days
File I-485
Check Form I-485 filing eligibility
Each month, compare your Priority Date with the Visa Bulletin and USCIS Chart A or Chart B rules for your EB category and country of birth to see when Form I-485 can be filed.
Learn more about I-485 priority dates- Time estimate
- Based on the monthly Visa Bulletin and USCIS filing chart
I-485 Approval
Wait for Form I-485 approval
After filing Form I-485 for adjustment of status, USCIS reviews the application. Final approval usually requires the Priority Date to be current, and retrogression or an RFE may extend the wait.
- Time estimate
- National median from filing to completion: about 5.7 months
Green Card Delivery
Receive the physical green card
After Form I-485 is approved, USCIS produces and mails the physical green card. Check the name, date of birth, category, and other personal information after the card arrives.
- Time estimate
- USCIS green card delivery usually takes about 1–3 weeks
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