What your PERM case status means
DOL is deciding cases filed around January 2026, and audit review is on December 2025. Here is what each status you might see means, and what to do next.
Updated October 31, 2026
DOL is reviewing cases filed in
January 2026
Audited cases: December 2025
- PERM filed
- In Process
- Certified
- I-140
An audit adds months; a withdrawal or denial means filing again.
Look up a decided PERM case
Enter the case number that starts with G. Only decided cases in DOL’s public disclosure are here; a pending case is visible only to the employer or attorney in FLAG.
PERM statuses (DOL)
Only your employer or attorney can see a pending case in their FLAG account. Once decided, anyone can look up the result on DOL’s FLAG site with the case number, which starts with G-100.
| Status | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| In Process · Analyst Review | Filed and waiting in the regular review queue. Most cases sit here until DOL reaches their filing month. | Wait; use the estimator to see roughly when your month comes up. |
| Audit · Audit Review | DOL picked the case for a closer look and asked for documents such as recruitment records. Often random; it is not a sign of a problem, but it adds a separate wait. | Your attorney replies by the deadline; tick “received an audit” in the estimator for the new timing. |
| Supervised Recruitment | DOL requires recruitment again under its supervision, which takes longer than an audit. | Check the recruitment plan and timing with your attorney. |
| Reconsideration · Request to the CO | After a denial the employer asked the certifying officer to reconsider; it has its own queue. | Ask your attorney about the queue. |
| Certified | Approved. A certified PERM is valid for 180 days, and the employer must file the I-140 within that time. | Have the employer file the I-140; report your decision date in your account. |
| Certified-Expired | Certified, but no I-140 was filed within 180 days, so the certification lapsed. | Usually a new PERM is needed; ask your attorney. |
| Denied | Refused. The employer can ask for reconsideration, appeal to BALCA or refile. | Weigh reconsideration, appeal or refiling with your attorney. |
| Withdrawn | The employer withdrew the case, often after a job change or to refile. | Ask whether it will be refiled and how your priority date is affected. |
Common I-140 and I-485 statuses (USCIS)
USCIS statuses are checked on the USCIS website with the receipt number, which starts with letters such as IOE, SRC or LIN.
| Status | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Case Was Received | The application arrived and a receipt was issued. | Keep the receipt number. |
| Request for Evidence Was Sent | USCIS needs more documents (an RFE). | Reply by the deadline; processing resumes after. |
| Response To USCIS Request Received | Your RFE reply arrived. | Wait for review. |
| Case Was Approved | The I-140 is approved, or the I-485 is approved (green card). After an I-140 you wait for your priority date to be current. | Check when your priority date is current on the Visa Bulletin page. |
| Interview Was Scheduled | The I-485 needs an interview. | Prepare documents and attend. |
| New Card Is Being Produced | The green card is being made, usually after the I-485 is approved. | Wait for it to be mailed. |
| Card Was Mailed To Me | The green card is in the mail. | Check the details when it arrives. |
Save your case and see the latest date whenever you come back
A free account keeps your PERM filing date, category and country of birth, and recalculates after every DOL and Visa Bulletin update. Sign up with Google or email, no password. Pro adds alerts by email and Telegram.
About case statuses
Can I check my own PERM status?
While a case is pending, only your employer or attorney can see it in DOL’s FLAG account. After a decision anyone can look up the result on the FLAG site with the case number. PermWatch estimates when your case comes up from DOL’s published progress.
What does a PERM case number look like?
It starts with G, for example G-100-23210-123456. G-100 is a professional position and G-200 a non-professional one. Ask your employer or attorney for it.
Is an audit bad news?
Not necessarily. Many audits are random. With complete recruitment and wage records most pass, but the case waits several months longer than a regular one.
My case is far past the posted date. What now?
If your case is well past DOL’s posted processing date, your employer or attorney can send an inquiry to DOL’s PERM Helpdesk.