If you’re waiting on an employment-based green card, checking your PERM case status is probably one of the first things you’ll want to do. And honestly, the waiting can be stressful. After the labor certification is filed, you may go weeks or even months without hearing anything, especially when your job, work authorization timeline, or your family’s future is tied to the process.
The good news is that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) does provide ways to check on a PERM case. However, what you can actually see-and who can access that information-depends on a few things.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to check your PERM case status, where to look, what information you’ll need, what the different case statuses mean, and what you can do if your case seems to be taking longer than expected.
You can check your PERM case status online through the Department of Labor’s FLAG (Foreign Labor Application Gateway) system at flag.dol.gov. Basically, if your case has already been decided, you can usually look it up using the case number. But if your PERM application is still pending, the status is generally only available to the employer or the immigration attorney handling the case through their FLAG account.
If you don’t have access to the account, don’t worry. In most cases, the easiest and quickest way to get an update is to ask your employer or immigration attorney to check the status for you.
What Is a PERM Case?
PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management. It’s the labor certification process that many employers must complete before they can sponsor a foreign worker for an employment-based green card, most commonly under the EB-2 or EB-3 categories.
In practical terms, PERM is the step where the employer demonstrates to the Department of Labor that:
- No qualified, willing, and available U.S. worker was found for the position after a good-faith recruitment effort, and
- Hiring the foreign worker won’t undercut wages or working conditions for similarly employed U.S. workers.
This is filed using Form ETA-9089. Once the Department of Labor certifies the PERM application, the employer can move forward to the next stage of the green card process: filing Form I-140, the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
It’s worth remembering that PERM is fundamentally an employer-driven filing. The employer is the petitioner. That single fact explains a lot about why employees sometimes have limited direct visibility into their own case – a point we’ll come back to.
How Do I Check My PERM Case Status Online?
Here’s a general step-by-step overview of how PERM case status checking typically works. Because government systems and procedures can be updated, always confirm current steps directly on the official DOL FLAG website before relying on this guide.
- Go to the FLAG system. The Department of Labor’s Foreign Labor Application Gateway (flag.dol.gov) is the official platform for PERM, PWD, and related labor certification filings.
- Locate the Case Status Search tool. FLAG includes a public case status search feature that allows lookups using a case number for applications that have already received a final decision.
- Enter the case number. PERM case numbers typically follow a specific format assigned by the Department of Labor at the time of filing.
- Review the result. For decided cases, the search should return the case outcome. For cases still pending review, detailed status and queue information is generally only accessible to the employer or the attorney of record, who log in directly to their FLAG account.
- If you can’t access it yourself, ask your employer or attorney. Because the petition belongs to the employer, employees without login access should request updates from the HR team, in-house counsel, or the immigration attorney handling the filing.
Where does the FLAG system fit in? FLAG is the Department of Labor’s modernized online portal for PERM, PWD (Prevailing Wage Determination), and Labor Condition Application filings. It replaced older legacy filing systems and is the current authoritative source for both submitting PERM applications and checking on their progress.
What if you’re not the one who filed the case? Since employees are not the filing party, they may not always have the same level of system access as the employer or attorney. This isn’t a sign that anything has gone wrong – it’s simply how the PERM process is structured.
What Information Do You Need to Check a PERM Case?
To check a PERM case status, you’ll generally want to have the following on hand:
| Information | Why It Matters |
| PERM case number | The primary identifier used to look up a specific filing |
| Employer’s legal name | Helps confirm you’re looking at the correct case, especially with common employer names |
| Approximate filing date | Useful for cross-referencing against DOL processing time updates |
| Job title/position filed for | Helps distinguish between multiple PERM filings by the same employer |
If you’re an employee, this information is usually provided by your employer or the attorney handling your case at the time of filing. Don’t guess at a case number or make one up – an incorrect entry will simply return no results or the wrong case.
Can You Check PERM Status Without a Case Number?
Direct answer: Not through the official case-specific lookup tool. The Department of Labor’s case status search is built around the case number, so without it, you generally cannot pull up your specific case.
That said, there are still realistic ways to stay informed if you don’t have your case number:
- Ask your employer or HR department for the case number and any status updates they’ve received.
- Contact the immigration attorney of record, since attorneys typically have direct visibility into the case through their FLAG login.
- Review your offer letter, PERM notice of filing, or related HR communications, which sometimes include the case number or filing date.
- Check general DOL processing time data, which won’t confirm your specific case but can give a rough sense of where the Department of Labor currently stands with cases filed around the same time as yours.
What Do Different PERM Case Statuses Mean?
PERM status terminology can vary depending on the system and where a case is in the process, so rather than listing exact labels that may change, it helps to understand the general concepts behind them:
- Received/Submitted – The application has been filed and assigned a case number, but substantive review hasn’t concluded.
- Under review (analyst review) – A Department of Labor analyst is actively reviewing the application and supporting recruitment documentation.
- Audit – The case has been flagged for a more detailed review, which may involve the employer submitting additional documentation about the recruitment process, wages, or job requirements.
- Certified – The Department of Labor has approved the labor certification, allowing the employer to move forward with filing Form I-140.
- Denied – The application was not approved. Employers may have options such as requesting reconsideration or refiling, depending on the circumstances.
- Withdrawn – The employer chose to withdraw the application before a final decision was issued.
Because exact status terminology can be updated by the Department of Labor over time, always treat the official FLAG system as the current source of truth rather than any third-party description, including this one.
How Long Does PERM Processing Take?
Direct answer: There’s no fixed timeline for PERM processing, and it can vary significantly from case to case. Several factors influence how long a PERM case takes to reach a decision:
- Department of Labor workload at the time of filing, which shifts based on overall case volume.
- Whether the case goes through standard processing or gets flagged for audit review, which typically adds significant additional time.
- The completeness and accuracy of the recruitment process and required documentation.
- Whether the Department of Labor requests additional information or clarification during review.
- Case-specific circumstances, such as the occupation, wage level, or state where the position is located.
The Department of Labor publishes updated processing time data periodically on the FLAG website. Because these figures change from month to month, we’re intentionally not quoting a specific number of days or months here – always check the current, official DOL processing times page for the most up-to-date figures rather than relying on any article, including this one, for an exact timeline.
What If Your PERM Case Is Delayed?
A case that hasn’t moved in a while can be stressful, but a lack of visible movement doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. Here’s a practical sequence of steps to consider:
- Compare your filing date to current DOL processing time data. If your case is still within the general range the Department of Labor is currently working through, that alone may explain the wait.
- Reach out to your employer or HR contact to ask whether they’ve received any updates, audit notices, or requests for additional information.
- Ask the immigration attorney handling the case to check the FLAG system directly, since they typically have account access that individual employees don’t.
- Review any correspondence you’ve received, including notices about audits or requests for further documentation, since these can extend the timeline.
- Consider a legal consultation if the delay is significant, if you’ve received a denial or audit notice you don’t understand, or if you’re simply unsure what your options are.
PERM Status vs. I-140 Status
People sometimes use “PERM” and “I-140” interchangeably, but they’re separate stages handled by different government agencies, each with its own case tracking system.
| PERM Labor Certification | I-140 Immigrant Petition | |
| Handled by | U.S. Department of Labor | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) |
| Who files it | Employer | Employer |
| Purpose | Confirms no qualified U.S. worker was available and wages/conditions won’t be undercut | Establishes the foreign worker’s eligibility for an employment-based immigrant visa category |
| Where to check status | DOL FLAG system | USCIS online case status tool |
| Comes before or after | First step | Filed after PERM is certified |
| Leads to | Eligibility to file Form I-140 | Eligibility to move toward Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing |
It’s also worth distinguishing these from the two final steps in the process:
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) – Used by applicants already in the U.S. to apply for a green card without leaving the country, generally available once a visa number is current.
- Consular Processing – Used by applicants outside the U.S., who complete their immigrant visa process through a U.S. consulate abroad.
Common Mistakes When Checking PERM Status
- Using an incorrect or incomplete case number. Even a small typo can return no results or the wrong case entirely.
- Confusing PERM status with I-140 or green card status. These are separate filings tracked in separate systems.
- Relying on outdated processing time figures. DOL processing times shift, so an estimate from months ago may no longer reflect current reality.
- Assuming no visible update means the case is lost. Cases can remain in review for extended periods without any status change, particularly if under audit.
- Waiting too long to reach out to the employer or attorney. If something seems off, an earlier conversation is generally more useful than waiting it out in silence.
- Misunderstanding what an audit means. An audit isn’t necessarily a red flag – it’s a more detailed layer of review, and it happens in a meaningful share of PERM cases.
- Expecting to check pending case details without proper account access. Employees without an employer or attorney FLAG login may not be able to view real-time queue information for a pending case.
When Should You Contact an Immigration Attorney?
Checking a case status online can only tell you so much. There are situations where speaking with an immigration attorney makes more sense than continuing to search for answers on your own – for example, if:
- Your PERM case has been pending well beyond current published processing time ranges.
- You’ve received an audit notice, a request for additional information, or a denial and aren’t sure what it means.
- Your employer isn’t able to explain what’s happening with the case.
- You’re trying to understand how PERM certification connects to your next steps, such as I-140 filing or maintaining valid status while you wait.
- You want a clearer picture of your options before deciding how to move forward.
Orange Law, led by Attorney Karan Joshi, works with employers and employees navigating employment-based immigration matters, including PERM labor certification and the steps that follow it. Every case is different, and an attorney can review your specific documentation and circumstances rather than relying on general assumptions about how long things “usually” take.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my PERM case status?
You can check PERM case status through the Department of Labor’s FLAG system using your case number. Decided cases are generally searchable directly, while pending case details are typically only visible to the employer or attorney of record through their FLAG login.
Can I check my PERM status online?
Yes, in many cases. The FLAG system allows public lookup of decided PERM cases by case number. For cases still pending, real-time queue details are usually restricted to the employer or attorney’s account rather than being publicly visible.
What information do I need to track my PERM case?
You’ll generally want your PERM case number, the employer’s legal name, the approximate filing date, and the job title filed for. This information typically comes from your employer or the attorney who handled the filing.
Can I check PERM status without a case number?
Not through the official case-specific search tool. Without a case number, your best option is asking your employer or attorney for an update, or reviewing general DOL processing time data for context.
How long does a PERM application take?
There’s no fixed timeline. Processing time depends on factors like Department of Labor workload, whether the case is audited, and case-specific circumstances. Check the DOL’s current published processing times for the most accurate, up-to-date figures.
What happens if my PERM case is audited?
An audit means the Department of Labor is requesting a more detailed review of the recruitment process or supporting documentation. It typically extends the processing timeline but doesn’t automatically mean the case will be denied.
Does PERM approval mean my green card is approved?
No. PERM certification is one step in a multi-stage process. After certification, the employer generally files Form I-140 with USCIS, followed by Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing, each of which is reviewed separately.
Can my immigration attorney check my PERM case?
Yes. Attorneys of record typically have direct access to case details through the FLAG system, which often makes them a faster and more reliable source of updates than a public case number search.
What should I do if my PERM case appears delayed?
Start by comparing your filing date to current DOL processing time data, then reach out to your employer or attorney for a direct update. If the delay is significant or you’ve received an unclear notice, a legal consultation can help clarify your options.
Final Takeaway
Checking your PERM case status doesn’t have to be confusing. Honestly, it helps to first understand how the system works. The Department of Labor’s FLAG system is the official place to check PERM case information. However, access to specific pending case details may depend on whether you’re the employer, the attorney handling the case, or an employee who is getting updates through them.
It also helps to know what the different stages mean and how PERM fits into the larger employment-based green card process. PERM is just one step-you’ll still have the I-140 and, depending on your situation, the adjustment of status or consular processing stage afterward.
So, if you’re not sure about your PERM case status, worried that your case is taking too long, or simply wondering what happens after PERM certification, it may be a good idea to talk with an immigration attorney. Orange Law can help you understand where your case stands and what your next steps may look like based on your specific situation.